ECLIPSES TO BE BUILT IN RUSSIA?
Eclipse Aviation announced on Monday that Luxembourg-based European Technology and Investment Research Center, headed by former computer magnate Roel Pieper, is looking at building its very light jets in Ulyanovsk, Russia after buying a stake in Eclipse worth "substantially in excess of $100 million." The cash injection buys Pieper the title of non-executive chairman of Eclipse and gives his company rights to sell the mini-jet in 60 countries, including Western Europe and Britain. Vern Raburn, who remains president and CEO, said the deal expands Eclipse's horizons quicker. "Entrusting the expanded region of Europe to ETIRC in this manner represents a significant acceleration of our business plan," said Raburn, "Expanding our relationship with ETIRC will rapidly increase the impact of the Eclipse 500 in this region and position us to meet the needs of our growing number of customers outside of North America." More...

COMPANY REVIVES THE GOOSE
One of the most iconic amphibs ever produced may be back in production by the end of the year. According to The Greensboro/Winston-Salem Business Journal, a Gibsonville, N.C. company Antilles Seaplanes, of Gibsonville, N.C., is hoping to have FAA approval to begin production of the twin-engine flying boat by the end of June. Company co-founder V.I. Manuel told the Business Journal there's major interest in the revival of the Goose, with inquiries (but no firm orders) coming from Malaysia to Alaska. Manuel said vintage Gooses are much sought after and in short supply. The new Goose will look like the old one but will benefit from 60 years of technological advancement. More...

NETJETS EUROPE JUMPSTARTS EXPANSION
NetJets Europe has talked Cessna, Dassault, Hawker-Beechcraft and Gulfstream into speeding up the delivery of a total of 39 aircraft so it can meet demand for its services. The 39 aircraft are worth more than $715 million and will be delivered starting this year as NetJets copes with unprecedented growth. "NetJets Europe's rapid growth shows that more and more companies and private individuals are choosing the benefits of flying when they want, from where they want, without the delays and hassle of commercial aviation," said CEO Mark Booth. "In response to this growing demand, we have decided to bring forward the delivery of new aircraft, and look forward to another big year in 2008." More...

ISLE OF MAN TARGETS PRIVATE AIRCRAFT REGISTRATIONS
The Isle of Man, which is a Crown dependency of Britain but is also self-governing and constitutionally separate, recently launched its own aircraft registry and is hoping to attract private aircraft owners to the "M" designation. Because it's so closely tied to Britain, much of the law and practices are comfortably familiar to international clients, but the Manx registration offers some advantages not available in some countries. For instance, corporate tax on the Isle of Man is zero and the Manx government doesn't care where an aircraft is based or used. However, riff raff need not apply. More...

RAM EARNS DAS STATUS
RAM Aircraft LP of Waco, Texas has earned authorization as a Designated Alteration Station (DAS) under DAS-700100-SW, placing RAM "amongst the elite group of American aviation companies who are known for aviation engineering and excellence," according to RAM's news release. The engine overhaul and general aviation support center located at WAco Region Airport has 31 years experience working with and installing Continental engines in both Cessna and Beech aircraft. Since 1976, RAM has earned approval for more than 113 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and 800 FAA-PMAs and the new certification, according to the company, allows it to make use of an efficient system of certifying the STCs the company generates. More...

ACTIVE NOISE CANCELATION FOR THE CABIN
Elliott Aviation last month announced partnership with Rosen Aviation to provide a combination Sound Management System (SMS) cabin-noise-canceling system and in-flight entertainment system for King Air 200, 300 and 350-series aircraft. Elliott's SMS is a cabin-space noise cancelation system that dampens noise levels throughout the cabin using strategically placed speakers to counter the undesirable noise generated by propeller blade shockwaves directed at the fuselage. The system adds just under 80 pounds to an aircraft and it takes two weeks to install the various sensors, speakers, microphones and other hardware. Rosen Aviation's RosenView VX cabin DVD entertainment system adds only 3.5 pounds, plus the versatility of independent entertainment flexibility for passenger More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THAT AMAZING THUNDERBIRD EJECTION/CRASH PHOTO

Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb |Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos

When we first saw the photo of Capt. Chris Stricklin's ejection from a doomed U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 a few years ago, most of us here at AVweb thought it was a fake. But the more we looked at it, the more it seemed possible that someone had actually snapped Stricklin's moment of truth in what must be one of the greatest aviation photos ever shot. Well, it wasn't long before we learned that Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III had actually captured the drama at an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

In this AVweb original video, Video Editor Glenn Pew looks at the circumstances surrounding the dramatic accident — combining still photos, in-cockpit and outside-of-cockpit video, and narration including the investigation's findings and changes in procedure for the T-birds.

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Related Content:
Thunderbirds Crash: Truth in Images

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MEET THE AVWEBBIZ TEAM

AVwebBiz is a weekly summary of the latest business aviation news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.

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Timothy Cole

Editorial Director, Aviation Publications
Paul Bertorelli

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Russ Niles

Contributing Editors
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Glenn Pew

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