The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded, Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb.com.

GA'S SECURITY IMAGE -- NATA MEETS WITH TSA...
National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne told Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials last week that the federal government’s continuing efforts to reassure the American public of their security is doing irreparable harm to the nation’s general aviation industry. Coyne’s comments to TSA officials came during a regularly scheduled meeting June 4 involving NATA and other organizations representing different segments of the general aviation industry. More...

...AS ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL TFR POPS UP...
The FAA will establish a 30-nm-radius temporary flight restriction (TFR) when President Bush travels to the family's seaside retreat in Kennebunkport, Maine, this week. The TFR is an expansion of the normal P-67 restricted area that is always in place over the vacation home. The TFR will be in effect from 2:25 p.m. local on Thursday, June 12, until 12 p.m. local on Monday, June 16. More...

...AND THE L.A. ACCIDENT DOESN'T HELP
While the discussions of what potential terrorism threat GA may pose to the public continue, the news of last Friday's aircraft crash into an apartment building certainly didn't do anything to calm those fears. A Beech Bonanza crashed into an apartment building near Hollywood on Friday afternoon, killing the pilot and four others and causing the three-story structure to catch fire. FAA officials say the aircraft, which was flying VFR, departed the Santa Monica Airport, about 10 miles away, minutes before impact. More...

FAA COMMISSIONS STARS IN PHILLY...
On Monday, air traffic controllers in Philadelphia officially began "STARS gazing." That's when the FAA commissioned the Raytheon-built Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) servicing the Philadelphia International Airport. Philadelphia is the first major airport to fully deploy STARS. Raytheon claims STARS is a highly reliable air traffic automation system that provides new high-resolution color displays, new computer processing and communication equipment, six-level display of weather, multi-radar tracking and easy and rapid incorporation of new hardware and software features. More...

...BUT NATCA QUESTIONS FAA'S COMMITMENT
Now that it is fully operational, the FAA claims STARS replaces the older-generation technology with "an advanced air traffic system with greater capability to meet capacity needs for years to come." However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) doesn't completely see it that way. The organization claims the controllers, not the FAA, are the reason this system is now operational. "Controllers have always been at the forefront of the drive for new technology," said NATCA President John Carr. "In Philadelphia, they pushed very hard to be the first to receive STARS and worked hard to make it a success," he added. More...

DEALERS SEE IMPROVEMENT IN SALES OF PRE-OWNED AIRCRAFT
Have you been thinking of selling your airplane lately? Now might be a good time. The National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) says it is seeing the ingredients for a recovery in pre-owned aircraft sales. This assumption is based on factors ranging from the stabilization of aircraft values to opportunities created by the expiration of fractional contracts. The group claims pressures being placed on older aircraft are adding to the potential activity increase. In addition, NARA says some financiers and insurers are becoming reluctant to support older aircraft. More...

FAA ISSUES STC FOR WSI'S INFLIGHT COCKPIT WEATHER SYSTEM
On June 9, the FAA issued an STC for the installation of a WSI InFlight AV200 cockpit weather system into a Piper Saratoga (PA-32R-301). The company says this is a major milestone in the certification process for their WSI InFlight (TM) system. The WSI InFlight AV200 system is designed to integrate with many popular multifunctional displays, most Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) as well as other display devices. More...

MIAMI-AREA OFFICIALS WELCOME SAFIRE AIRCRAFT
While Cessna and Eclipse seem to command most of the spotlight in the personal jet market, there seems to be a determined effort in Florida to provide some competition. Safire Aircraft recently announced plans for a massive new production facility at Opa-Locka Airport, in Dade County. The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's official economic development partnership, held a press conference on June 4 to officially welcome the company to its new Opa-Locka headquarters and unveil plans for the $40 million project. More...

CESSNA WINS LAWSUIT DISMISSAL
An Arizona judge has upheld liability limitations for aircraft manufacturers on older aircraft. Last month, Cessna successfully defended itself against litigation resulting from the crash of a 1980 Cessna 210 in 2000. To back his ruling, the Maricopa County judge cited the General Aviation Revitalization Act, signed into law 1994. This legislation gives aircraft manufacturers an 18-year liability limit on the manufacture of general aviation aircraft. Since the 210 involved in this case was 20 years old, Cessna was protected from liability. More...

GARMIN MAINTAINS STRONG HOLD IN WEAK MARKET
While the aerospace market seems bleak at times, Garmin keeps coming up with new products and upgrades. The company -- known for its line of GPS products -- unveiled plans to upgrade its 400- and 500- series units over the next few months. The June 5 announcement said upgrades to certain units would include terrain advisories, certified Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS) and precision landings via the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). More...

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK
Add mischievous politicians to the list of airborne threats that can put the nation's defenses on alert. According to The Washington Post, anti-terrorism and anti-drug forces were diverted from their normal duties to try and find a Texas politician mounting an airborne filibuster of their legislature. You may remember last month when 51 Democratic Texas state legislators went en masse to Oklahoma to prevent a quorum in the Texas house. This disrupted plans by the GOP to enact a congressional redistricting plan certain to send Republicans to Congress. One of the hooky-playing legislators was Rep. James E. "Pete" Laney, who flew to Oklahoma in a light plane. It's now apparent government forces were called in to hunt for the aircraft. More...

ON THE FLY...
An Aussie baggage handler reportedly had links to al-Qaeda...
Embraer announced it will build a plant in Florida...
The Flying Texas 200 Air Race ended at the Bombardier 500 Indy Car Race...
A five-year-old girl was killed after being swept away by a helium balloon...
Foam fired at shuttle wing panel caused crack in test...
The oldest Air France Concorde will be donated to the Smithsonian. More...

AVWEB'S PICTURE OF THE WEEK...

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 100 pictures last week. Congratulations to this week's winner, Mark Hoyne, of Grand Rapids, MN. This winning photo was taken by Willow Sedore, a reporter for the local newspaper this past Memorial Day. It shows pilot Amy Eichorn flying with a passenger located in a rather unusual location. Folks, please do not try this at home! Great picture Mark! Your AVweb hat is on the way.

To check out the winning picture, or to enter next week's contest, go to http://www.avweb.com/potw.

**Due to privacy issues, AVweb does not publish e-mail addresses of readers who submit photos.

AVWEB'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK...

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 500 responses to our question last week on ATC facility tours. The majority (65 percent) of those responding felt these visits are very important, as they gained valuable insight into the operation of these facilities. About 34 percent felt pilots should try to visit these facilities at least once in their lifetime. Only two people indicated didn't see the usefulness of these visits.

To check out the complete results, including comments, go to http://www.avweb.com/qotw.

*** THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***

This week, we would like to know your thoughts on factory built versus kit aircraft. Thanks to Robert McCoy for suggesting this week's topic. Please go to http://www.avweb.com/qotw to respond.

Have an idea for a new QOTW? Send your suggestions to qotw@avweb.com. Note, this address is ONLY for suggested QOTW questions, and NOT for QOTW answers.

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AVweb's AVscoop Award...

Congratulations and an AVweb hat go out to John O'Neil, this week's AVscoop winner. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. Rules and information are at http://www.avweb.com/contact/newstips.html.

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New Articles and Features on AVweb

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AEROMEDICAL
BIZAV: June 13, 2003
AVweb's expanded coverage of business/corporate aviation continues with the ups and downs at Cessna, Bombardier working real estate deals, Sino Swearingen regrouping after crash, the BizAv AD watch and more.

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Reader feedback on AVweb's news coverage and feature articles:
http://www.avweb.com/avmail/

Reader mail this week about NASA's cockpit study, Garmin support and more.

Sponsor News and Special Offers FREE access to AVweb and AVflash is provided by the support of our fine sponsors. We appreciate your patronage.

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SHOPPING DEALS

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HOWARD FRIED OFFERS FINAL "EYE OF EXPERIENCE" VOLUME AT PRE-PRINT PRICE of $21.95, plus shipping. Topics include dead reckoning, instrument ratings, an FAA mock trial, plus more pictures and letters. Learn about the industry and flying from this sage writer at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/fried

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SPONSOR NEWS

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PILOT GETAWAYS PUBLISHER PHOTOS GRACE NAA'S RECORDS BOOK Photos of Bruce Bohannon's record-breaking Exxon Flyin' Tiger taken by George Kounis, publisher of Pilot Getaways magazine, was selected by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for their World and United States Aviation & Space Records book. Kounis said, "This is an honor and shows how we strive to produce exceptional photos for our subscribers." Pilot Getaways magazine can be ordered at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/getaways

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DON'T BE GROUNDED ONCE YOU FLY INTO AN AIRPORT, USE YOUR HANDYBIKE! Trans-Plata's folding 17-pound HANDYBike can free you from expensive rental cars and cabs. This German-engineered, all-aluminum, racing-inspired bike folds so small that one for each passenger can be carried in a Cessna 172. Details and ordering information on the HANDYBike, and other TransPlata products at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/trans-plata

AVIATOR'S GUIDE SHOWS WAYS TO USE YOUR AIRPLANE TO ENJOY LIFE! Aviator's Guide is a general aviation travel and lifestyle magazine written to be enjoyed by both pilots and their families. Features include: "Yipes, My Marriage Is A No-Fly Zone"; "Putting Your Airplane To Work For Business"; "Top 10 Fly-In Golf Destinations"; and more. A full year's subscription is only $14.95 at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/avguide

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YOU'RE ASSIGNED A HEADING OF 090 DEGREES AFTER TAKEOFF IN IFR CONDITIONS But, you fly 099 degrees. Then, you fly 240 degrees. Then, a couple of 360s. Then you fly 060 degrees. Find out what was going on in the skies over Atlanta, so it doesn't happen to you. The June issue of NTSB Reporter has the full story. Don't miss an issue. http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/ntsbrepo

YOU'VE READ YOUR AVFLASH...GOT A MINUTE...CHECK OUT AVWEB—THE MAGAZINE chocked full of columns, articles, databases, an events calendar, weather and travel info...everything to satisfy your aviation interests all at http://www.avweb.com/

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We Welcome Your Feedback!

AVflash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest aviation news, articles, products, features and events featured on AVweb, the Internet's Aviation Magazine and News Service. http://www.avweb.com

Letters to the editor intended for publication in AVmail should be sent to mailto:editor@avweb.com.com. Have a comment or question? Send it to mailto:newsteam@avweb.com.

Today's issue written by News Writer Arturo Weiss:
http://www.avweb.com/contact/authors.html#aweiss
AVweb's editorial team: http://avweb.com/contact/authors.html.

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Let's all be careful out there, okay?

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