FAA CHANGES POLICY FOR ADDRESSING ATC ERRORS
The FAA says it is ready to change the way it deals with air traffic controllers, and on Monday the agency took what it calls "another step toward a new safety culture," by reducing the emphasis on blame in the reporting of operational errors. "We're moving away from a culture of blame and punishment," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "It's important to note that controllers remain accountable for their actions, but we're moving toward a new era that focuses on why these events occur and what can be done to prevent them." Effective immediately, the names of controllers will not be included in reports sent to FAA headquarters about operational errors, which occur when the proper distance between aircraft is not maintained. "We need quality information in order to identify problems and learn from incidents before they become accidents," Babbitt said. "The best sources of that information are our front-line employees. Our success depends on their willingness to identify safety concerns." More...

LYC-POWERED DA42 CERTIFIED IN CANADA
Diamond Aircraft has received supplementary type certification (STC) for its Lycoming-powered DA42 L360 from Transport Canada. The STC allows the production of new aircraft and the retrofit of twins originally equipped with Thielert diesels. The conventionally powered DA42 was a partial response to the problems caused by the insolvency of Thielert last year. The DA42 NG, powered by the Diamond-built Austro diesel, has been certified in Europe and CEO Peter Maurer said the fallout development of the Austro and Lycoming models gives current and future customers more options than ever. "Obviously, Diamond is dedicated to the advancement of GA powerplant technology, specifically the jet-fuel piston engines, however some customers expressed a desire to combine the DA42's proven airframe with familiar and conventional avgas engines," he said. The FAA hasn't signed off on the Lycoming STC but under agreements between Transport Canada and the FAA that's mostly a matter of paperwork. More...

STRATOS PLEDGES REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS
Stratos Aircraft is now taking deposits on its proposed single-engine personal jet but it's pledging to protect the deposit money. The company says its Assurance Deposit Program ensures that deposits are held in an interest-bearing escrow account until "applied to a progress payment that is made after a formal aircraft purchase agreement has been signed," according to a Stratos news release. The deposits are fully refundable up to that point. "Placing a deposit on a long-lead-time item like an aircraft shouldn't cause the consumer discomfort in parting with their hard-earned dollars," said Stratos spokesman Kevin Jordan. More...

NEXAIR UPDATES PIPER'S SARATOGA
NexAir Avionics, based in Mansfield, Mass., this week introduced the Saratoga NX, a spinner-to-tail modernization of Piper's single-engine six-seater. The NX features an Avidyne Integra Release 9 integrated flight deck and a zero-time factory remanufactured engine. The interior has been spiffed up with added soundproofing, leather seating, a center-console drink cooler, a DVD entertainment system for the back seats, and a fold-down work table. Other new features include AmSafe airbag seatbelts and improved ergonomics. The result is an airplane that is "better-than-new," says NexAir President David Fetherston, at a fly-away price of less than $400,000. Owners of Saratogas from model years 1980 to 2004 can transform their airplanes into an NX for less than $250,000, he said. New features from LoPresti include a cowling that improves engine cooling, flap gap seals that add knots to cruise speed, and exterior lighting. And it's all wrapped up in a sleek new paint scheme. The program "essentially creates a new aircraft that's better equipped and costs far less than a new or late model version," Fetherston said. More...

VIRGIN GALACTIC'S WHITEKNIGHTTWO READY FOR OSHKOSH LAUNCH
In an online news conference on Monday, Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn said the WhiteKnightTwo space launch vehicle is ready to launch and will arrive at Oshkosh for the EAA AirVenture opening airshow at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday July 27. "It's an amazing vehicle," he said. The aircraft, which is the largest aircraft ever built by Scaled Composites, has a wingspan of 140 feet and is capable of lifting 17 tons to altitudes of 50,000 feet and more. So far it has flown 14 times and accumulated about 45 hours of flight time. Besides the plane's initital space-tourism mission, it will also be used for space science and to launch satellites into orbit. "What we're seeing is the dawn of a new industrial revolution in space," Whitehorn said. WhiteKnightTwo will also fly on Tuesday and Thursday, and will remain on static display all week until it heads home to Mojave at roughly 10 a.m. Saturday. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: A FEW WORDS ABOUT APOLLO 11
Now that he's tidied up the mess he made over this global warming thing, Paul Bertorelli has some comments on 40th anniversary of the lunar landing. He's actually old enough to remember that what was most impressive about it is how quickly the program progressed. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: U.S. MIGHT NOT LEAD IN ELECTRIC FLIGHT
Competition leads to innovation, but it can also lead to secrecy and self-interest that may just slow down the development of new technologies. In the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog, AVweb's Glenn Pew wonders if the fractured race for electric airplane supremacy may actually be slowing development of the necessary technology and costing the U.S. its dominance in this emerging sector. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: REMEMBERING THE JFK JR. CRASH
Ten years ago this week, John F. Kennedy Jr. lost control of his Saratoga and plunged into the Atlantic near Martha's Vineyard. Although a tragedy, it could have been a nightmare for GA if AOPA hadn't seized the moment and explained the story to a curious public and media. Former AOPA Communications VP Drew Steketee tells the inside story in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog. More...

AVWEB AND BENDIX/KING BY HONEYWELL ARE GIVING AWAY AN AV8OR TO CELEBRATE AIRVENTURE!

Bendix/King by Honeywell is helping us give away another AV8OR handheld MFD unit to celebrate EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! All you have to do is click the image at right to enter your name and e-mail address. And no, we're not going to rent or sell your name, but Bendix/King by Honeywell may send you information on the AV8OR. You may also forward this newsletter to friends and invite them to sign-up for AVweb's EAA AirVenture 2009 coverage and qualify for the AV8OR prize drawing, too. (We won't spam them, either, but we will send them our e-mail news Flashes.)

Deadline for entries is midnight EST on Sunday, August 2, 2009.

Click here to read the contest rules and enter.

(There's nothing to buy. All you need to do is be registered with AVweb.)

WHO'S WHERE? YOU TELL US
Get a promotion or a new job? Your colleagues want to know about it, and AVwebBiz can get the word out. Drop us a line about the staff appointment, with a nice recent photo, and we'll do our best to include it in our new section, "Who's Where." The items will be permanently archived on AVweb for future reference, too. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: AIRTEX'S DIY AIRCRAFT INTERIORS
For 60 years, Airtex has been providing quality aircraft interiors that owners can install themselves. AVweb recently visited the Airtex factory in Fallsington, Pennsylvania to have a look. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: HOW GAMIJECTORS ARE MADE
GAMIjector calibrated fuel injection nozzles correct the characteristic air/fuel imbalance problems in most Continental engines. Here's how they're made. More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard? More...

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.

The AVwebBiz 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

Webmaster
Scott Simmons

Contributors
Jeff van West

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