October 4, 2007

By The AVweb Editorial Staff

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It starts out with a rash of product announcements today (Thursday) and continues through three days of seminars, politically oriented discussions and general discussion about our favorite topic -- general aviation. Piper, Diamond, Cessna and Mooney all have big news to announce. Our audio and video casts will expand on the themes we present in AVwebFlash and on our web site, so be sure to check them out. Baja Bush Pilots Fight Border Proposal The Baja Bush Pilots, a group of about 4,000 pilots who promote flying to Mexico and Central America, say the proposal by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to require detailed manifests and itineraries from general aviation pilots crossing the U.S. border is unworkable in its present form. In an interview at AOPA Expo in Hartford, Baja Bush Pilots President Jack McCormick told AVweb the most pressing concern is the requirement that the information be filed electronically. "Sometimes in Mexico you're lucky to find a phone that works. How are you supposed to find an Internet connection?" As AVweb reported last month, Customs says the goal of the program is to improve security of trans-border small aircraft operations. McCormick said he believes the current system, in which pilots land at airports with Customs services and remain in the aircraft until interviewed by agents works well for the minimal risk that GA poses as a terrorism or national security risk. The organization is using AOPA to gather support in its fight against the proposed rule and it's also mounting a media and Internet campaign. Related Content: Exclusive video interview with Jack McCormick Legendary Aircraft, Revolutionary Engine In a diesel-equipped Skyhawk, you'll burn 30% less fuel per hour. And because the power plant burns Jet A instead of pricier avgas, you'll save even more on direct operating costs. What's more, this remarkable Thielert engine operates at 2,300 rpm (vs. 2,400 in a standard model), significantly reducing cabin noise levels. Go online for more! Go online for more! » Visit Cessna Aircraft in booth 803 at the AOPA Expo Checking in with the AOPA back to top  AOPA Air Safety Foundation Offers New Course in Aging Aircraft It's well known that the general aviation fleet is aging, and while older aircraft can be safe to fly, they do demand a certain amount of care. AOPA's Air Safety Foundation addresses all of the issues that pilots should know about in a new course, Aging Aircraft, offered free online. This interactive course discusses factors that affect the rate of aging, such as storage, use, abuse, and maintenance; offers suggestions for proactive inspection and maintenance practices, and explains the difference between chronological and true age. Specific tracks can be chosen that focus on Beechcraft, Cessna, Mooney, or Piper models. Advice is offered for those thinking about buying or renting an older aircraft. The course takes about an hour to complete. "The average general aviation aircraft is more than 30 years old," says Bruce Landsberg, executive director of ASF. "Our online program contains valuable, potentially life-saving information for anyone who owns or flies a GA airplane." AOPA Airport Support Network Celebrates 10th Year When pilots run into trouble with threats to their airport, AOPA's Airport Support Network is there, and this year the organization is celebrating 10 years of helping to keep airports open and thriving. The program has nearly 2,000 volunteers across the country who work to support the program's mission to promote, protect, and defend America's community airports. "Saving airports is consistently at the top of members' priority lists," said Andy Cebula, executive vice president of government affairs at AOPA. "We see their passion in the numbers who volunteer their time and energy to protect their local airports, and we encourage all members to get involved." The program was formed in response to feedback from AOPA members who recognized that protecting community airports is a key step in securing general aviation's future and wanted to help. The ASN volunteers are the first reporters and first responders to potential threats against their airports. They communicate regularly with AOPA headquarters staff, who work with them to eliminate or mitigate threats to local airports. In honor of the anniversary, the Friday morning general session at AOPA Expo will be devoted to celebrating America's general aviation airports. At the session, attendees will hear from AOPA President Phil Boyer, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Andy Cebula, Airport Support Network and Airports staff, and Airport Support Network volunteers. Challenges and common problems of general aviation airports will be discussed, as well as how local pilots can work with AOPA to secure the future of their airports. Aircraft Spruce West Holds Their Annual Super Sale on October 13th Aircraft Spruce will hold their Annual Super Sale in Corona, CA on Saturday, October 13th from 7:00am-3:00pm. Raffle prizes will be given away hourly. Seminars will include Light Sport Airplanes West, Garmin, and the FAA. Numerous discounts, hot dogs, and lots of fun! Complimentary shuttle service available throughout the day from the Corona Airport (AJO). For more information, please call 1-877-SPRUCE, or visit Aircraft Spruce online. News Briefs back to top  CAP Commander Sacked The Board of Governors of the Civil Air Patrol has stripped the organization's suspended commander, Maj. Gen. Tony Pineda, of his rank, position and membership after investigating allegations that a member of CAP's Florida unit took U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College tests on Pineda's behalf in 2002 and 2003. Pineda was suspended in early August after the allegations came to light and the board of governors decided to formally investigate them. "This action was taken after careful review of the facts and circumstances and after numerous discussions of the report of the investigation against Gen. Pineda," Maj. Gen. Richard Bowling, chairman of the board of governors, said in a news release. Brig. Gen. Amy Courter, CAP's deputy commander, assumed command during Pineda's suspension and will continue in that role until August of 2008 when the board of governors will convene to elect a new commander. Courter can run. The Pineda controversy sparked plenty of chatter on CAP forums but the organization continued to fulfill its search and rescue and other roles effectively, Courter said. "The members of the Civil Air Patrol are patriotic and highly dedicated volunteers of this great nation who routinely place duty before self to serve their communities," Courter said. "Their contributions during the search for aviation legend Steve Fossett, during Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and thousands of other noteworthy missions throughout our 66 years of service have made a profound difference in the lives of thousands of Americans of all ages. I am honored to serve as interim national commander of Civil Air Patrol." FAA to Pilots: Be Ready for ADS-B by 2020 The FAA said on Tuesday it wants all aircraft flying in controlled airspace to have satellite-based avionics by 2020, so air traffic controllers can track them using Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B). The agency issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF) that says the equipment will allow controllers to handle more traffic more safely with less separation. "Aviation must take the big step into the next generation of technology," said Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell. "It's safer and more accurate. Satellite technology is here to stay." Pilots with ADS-B cockpit displays can see, in real time, their location in relation to other aircraft, bad weather and terrain. In Southwest Alaska, the fatal accident rate for ADS-B-equipped aircraft has dropped by 47 percent, the FAA said. Aircraft that don't fly in controlled airspace will not be required to have ADS-B avionics, the FAA said. Under a contract awarded to ITT Corp. last month, ground stations for the new system will be brought on line across the country, starting in the East Coast, portions of the Midwest, Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. Nationwide coverage is expected by 2013. The proposed rule is open to public comment for 90 days, and is scheduled to become final by late 2009. The FAA demonstrated the ADS-B system at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh this summer, click here for the AVweb report and exclusive AVweb video. Related Content: Poll: How much would you spend to upgrade? Introducing Zulu ... From Lightspeed Zulu is the world's quietest ANR headset. More quiet, more comfort, more features than any other previous headset. Zulu includes Bluetooth compatibility. For more information, call Lightspeed at (800) 332-2421, or go online for complete details. » Visit Lightspeed Aviation in booths 439 & 441 at the AOPA Expo News Briefs back to top  Florida Town Repeals Anti-Homebuilding Law With a unanimous vote, the city council of Jacksonville, Fla., last week overturned its ban on working on airplanes in residential areas. Milford Shirley, president of the local EAA chapter, said he was "absolutely happy" with the decision. The EAA chapter had been fighting the ban since it was imposed over a year ago, after some neighbors complained that a homebuilder was keeping an airplane in his driveway. "We can imagine the outcry from the public if Jacksonville passed a rule saying residents could not work on automobiles, boats or motorcycles at the their own homes," Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, said at the time. It took some patience and a lobbying effort, but the city apparently came to see things EAA's way. The council voted 15 to 0 to overturn the ordinance. Shirley said he will work with the council to rewrite the local zoning laws to specifically protect aviation as well as other recreation and hobbies, he said. "We will do our best to stay vigilant to participate in the discussion," he said. Mooney Expands the Acclaim's Speed Envelope In the promotional poker game of which is faster, the Columbia 400 or the Mooney Acclaim, Mooney says it has just upped the ante. It announced this week that it has done some aerodynamic tweaks on the Acclaim which will give it a top speed of a blistering 242 knots, 5 knots faster than its previously claimed 237-knot top speed. What tweaks? Mooney says a series of refinements trimmed drag from the airframe, but we won’t be surprised to see substantially smaller cooling inlets on the cowling, to start. The gussied up version is called the Acclaim Type-S. Although we haven’t seen the new model, our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, conducted a flyoff between the Acclaim and Columbia and found that even the sluggardly version of the Acclaim was faster. See the full report in the magazine’s October issue at AviationConsumer.com. Announcing the Online MBA for Aviation Professionals from Daniel Webster College Did you know that professionals with an MBA earn an average of $10,000 to $30,000 more per year? Within 27 months, you can be one of them! Daniel Webster College MBA for Aviation Professionals is a fully-accredited, 100%-online program built for the busy schedule of the aviation professional. Being "on the road" is no longer a barrier to career advancement. Call (866) 458-7525 or click here for more information. Technology & Safety back to top  NTSB Blames 737 Crew in Chicago Overrun The crew of a Southwest Airlines 737 that overran a runway during a Chicago snowstorm in December 2005 had reverse thrust available, and should have used it, the NTSB said in its final report, released on Tuesday. If they had done so, they could have prevented the accident. The jet ran into a car on a nearby road, and a boy in the car was killed. However, the crew had inadequate information about the landing-distance analysis they used, and if they had been better informed, they might have decided to divert to another airport, the board said. The safety board's report calls on the FAA to immediately require operators to refine their procedures for conducting arrival landing-distance assessments and add a safety margin of at least 15 percent. "The urgent recommendation we issued today addressing landing performance is extremely pertinent to the safe operation of our aviation system," said NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker. "As we approach the winter months we continue to push for acceptance of a minimum safety margin so that this type of accident does not occur again." The airplane rolled through a blast fence, an airport perimeter fence, and onto an adjacent roadway, where it struck an automobile before coming to a stop. One occupant in the automobile was killed, one received serious injuries, and three others received minor injuries. Eighteen of the 103 persons on board the airplane received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. A synopsis of the NTSB final report is available online; the full report will be posted at ntsb.gov in several weeks. FAA Promotes "Arrestor Beds" to Stop Runway Overruns Commercial airports should have runway overrun areas 500 feet wide that extend 1,000 feet off the runway end, but in cases where that isn't practical, the agency is now promoting the use of a new technology called EMAS. An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) uses materials placed at the end of a runway to stop or greatly slow an aircraft that overruns the runway. The best material found to date is a lightweight, crushable concrete, the FAA says. When an aircraft rolls into an EMAS arrestor bed, the tires of the aircraft sink into the material and the aircraft is decelerated by having to roll through it. This technology is now in place at 18 airports with installation under contract at six additional airports. A standard EMAS installation extends 600 feet from the end of the runway. To date, there have been four incidents where EMAS has kept aircraft from overrunning the runway and in several cases the technology has prevented injury to passengers and damage to the aircraft, the FAA said. PowerLink™ FADEC Certified on Liberty XL-2; Is It Right for Your Aircraft? Liberty Aerospace is the first certified piston-powered aircraft with PowerLink™ FADEC as standard equipment. PowerLink™ FADEC is now also available for several additional certified and experimental aircraft, including the A-36 Bonanza and VANS RV series. Find out how you can bring your aircraft into the state-of-the-art online. » Visit Teledyne-Continental Motors (TCM) in booth 531 at the AOPA Expo News Briefs back to top  Airlines Show Dramatic Safety Improvement The accident rate for U.S. airlines has dropped by 65 percent in the last 10 years, according to a Sunday New York Times story by aviation reporter Matthew Wald. The White House set a goal in 1997 to reduce the rate by 80 percent over 10 years, Wald wrote. Although the decline has fallen short of that mark, it is still an impressive improvement. The data, which excludes the terrorist-caused crashes of 2001, shows a steady decline in fatalities, bearing out recent remarks by outgoing FAA Administrator Marion Blakey that this is "the golden age of safety." Blakey said this is the safest period, in the safest mode of transportation, in the history of the world. The improvements of the last decade reflect the sum of many small changes, Wald said, including better technology, enhanced ground-proximity warning systems, and safer cockpit procedures. The original goal was set after two crashes in 1996 killed 375 people. Music to Fly By: ATC Party Mix, Prop Symphony, and More Why not record the sounds of an early morning landing at Heathrow, or Airbus A380 deep-freeze testing, or aerobatic airplanes spinning and looping, and integrate those sounds into electronic music compositions? That idea inspired Bruno Misonne, of Belgium, who lives close to a major airport, and he ended up with a compilation of "aviation music." He aims to "take the listener on a journey" with his work. "Bruno has chosen the perfect instrument for his new genre because the airplane is the best way to go global after all," says his press release. You can judge for yourself -- sample the tunes online, or buy the CD, at his web site. The music is also available for download via iTunes. (ITunes users can click here.) Hands-On Unusual Attitude Training at AOPA Can you recover from a wake turbulence encounter? Give it a try at AOPA this week (in booth 1151) and meet APS President and Chief Flight Instructor Paul B.J. Ransbury. For more information on APS Unusual Attitude Recovery Training Courses, click here. AOPA Special Offer: APS is offering complimentary round-trip airfare to Arizona and accommodations (some limitations apply) for any of its 3-day or 4-day courses to a limited number of pilots signing up for training at AOPA in person each day. » Visit APS Emergency Maneuver Training in booth 1151 at the AOPA Expo Exclusive Videos from AOPA Expo back to top  AOPA Expo 2007 Exclusive Video #1: Pre-Show Tour Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos To kick off our exclusive video coverage of AOPA Expo 2007, we thought we'd share a glimpse of what you see when a press pass gets you into the Hartford, Connecticut show a day early ... . Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. AOPA Expo 2007 Exclusive Video #2: Baja Bush Pilots Fight Border Regulations Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos Baja Bush Pilots' Jack McCormick talks to AVweb at AOPA Expo 2007 in Hartford, CT, about the Department of Homeland security and general aviation pilots flying in and out of Mexico and Canada. (More on the Bush Pilots' fight against new border regulations.) Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. If Aircraft Insurance Brokers Say They Cover the Whole Market ... Why can't they get a quote from Avemco? Because Avemco is the only direct provider of aviation insurance that lets you talk directly to the aviation underwriter for fast, accurate answers. So if a broker tells you they cover the whole market, they're only telling you half the story. Call (888) 241-7891 or visit online for the rest of the story. » Visit Avemco Insurance in booth 423 at the AOPA Expo New on AVweb back to top  Brainteasers Quiz #125: What's Up? The sky's the limit of infinite possibilities when you don't let terminology and regulations hold you down. Let's dissect a few loftier ones to answer questions that have teased aeronautical brains since before Pratt met Whitney. Take the quiz. More Brainteasers Question of the Week: The Cost of ADS-B to You (Yes, You) This Week's Question | Previous Week's Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked whether it was inevitable that big-jet makers like Airbus and Boeing would enter the growing market for small- and medium-sized jets. Despite strong rumors that it's only a matter of time, AVweb readers thought the big boys' entry into these markets may not be a foregone conclusion:  A full 50% of you said players like Boeing are far too busy building airliners to worry about little jets. For the actual breakdown of responses, click here. (You may be asked to register and answer, if you haven't already participated in this poll.) THIS WEEK'S QUESTION *** With the FAA asking all pilots to upgrade their avionics by 2020, we thought it would be a good time to ask AVweb readers what they're willing to spend to prepare for the NextGen airspace. Click here to answer. Have an idea for a new "Question of the Week"? Send your suggestions to . NOTE: This address is only for suggested "QOTW" questions, and not for "QOTW" answers or comments. Use this form to send "QOTW" comments to our AVmail Editor. WingX 2.5 for Your Motorola Q, Blackjack, or Pocket PC — New! WingX 2.5 for your smartphone and Pocket PC comes with DUATS support, and you can file and close flight plans from your phone. WingX 2.5 has Animated NEXRAD; satellite; lightning prediction graphics; color-coded METARs and TAFs; approach charts; advanced weight and balance; route planning; searchable FARs; endorsements; E6B; runway layouts; SmartTaxi™; and a comprehensive A/FD with auto-dial. WingX 2.5 is GPS-enabled! Click here to download your demo version of WingX 2.5. Reader-Submitted Photos back to top  Picture of the Week: AVweb's Flying Photography Showcase Submit a Photo | Rules | Tips | Questions | Past Winners Each week, we go through dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of reader-submitted photos and pick the very best to share with you on Thursday mornings.  The top photos are featured on AVweb's home page, and one photo that stands above the others is awarded an AVweb baseball cap as our "Picture of the Week."  Want to see your photo on AVweb.com?  Click here to submit it to our weekly contest. *** THIS WEEK'S WINNERS *** As we dive head first into the AOPA Expo in Hartford, Connecticut, we find ourselves staring down the barrel of 130 top-drawer reader-submitted photos.  With the show hanging over our heads and so many great photos to sort (and somehow choose between) we'll waste no time cutting to the chase.  As soon as things slow down, we'll load up our home page slideshow with the best photos from the last two weeks that we couldn't share here in "POTW" proper. medium | large Used with permission of Wanda Zeuge Oh, Boy! Wanda Zuege of Custer, Wisconsin is currently using this photo to remind pilots at Stevens Point Airport of the October festivities planned for them.       medium | large Used with permission of Kenneth Budd Fall Evening Preflight Kenneth "K. C." Budd of Atlanta, Georgia captures the feeling of a journey about to begin — and lets us in on it, through the magic of photography.   medium | large Used with permission of Taylor Aldous Hot Air Balloon Smart Vent If we were just a little less busy today, we'd have stared at this submission from Taylor Aldous of Lee's Summit, Missouri longer ... .   medium | large Used with permission of Dana Helsley Thursday Afternoon at GML2007 Dana Helsley of Roanoke, Virginia treats us to one of our favorite rainy-day photos in months.   medium | large Used with permission of Gerald Benson Night Shift And Gary L. Jones of Clovis, New Mexico sees us off while the maintenance crew readies this CV-22 for a night-time mission. We'll see you back here next week.  In the meantime, please remember to submit your photos — and if you see us flitting around AOPA, stop us and say hi! — To enter next week's contest, click here. A quick note for submitters:  If you've got several photos that you feel are "POTW" material, your best bet is to submit them one-a-week!  That gives your photos a greater chance of seeing print on AVweb, and it makes the selection process a little easier on us, too.  ;) A Reminder About Copyrights: Please take a moment to consider the source of your image before submitting to our "Picture of the Week" contest. If you did not take the photo yourself, ask yourself if you are indeed authorized to release publication rights to AVweb. If you're uncertain, consult the POTW Rules or or send us an e-mail. Bennett Avionics: Used Avionics Guidance You Can Trust Used avionics is Bennett Avionics' only business! Bennett Avionics has served general aviation worldwide with reliable and quality used avionics for over 30 years. Bennett Avionics can help you meet your avionics needs, improve the capability of your aircraft, and maintain your budget. Call Bennett Avionics at (860) 653-7295, or go online for a complete list of available products. » Visit Bennett Avionics in booth 1246 at the AOPA Expo Stay in Touch with AVweb back to top  AVweb's Newstips Address ... Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. AVwebBiz: AVweb's Business Aviation Newsletter HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST weekly business aviation newsletter, AVwebBiz? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the business aviation industry. Business AVflash is a must read. Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/. Names Behind the News back to top  Meet the AVwebFlash Team AVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service. The AVwebFlash team is: Publisher Timothy Cole Editorial Director, Aviation Publications Paul Bertorelli Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles Contributing Editors Mary Grady Glenn Pew Features Editor Kevin Lane-Cummings Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.) Comments or questions about the news should be sent here. Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team. If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.