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August 19, 2009
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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Business Aviation Will Help Companies Not Only Survive
But Prosper During the Current Financial Crisis
To be your most productive, and your most efficient, you must keep flying. Because in so doing, you will emerge from these times even stronger than before. And you will replace the uncertainty that
surrounds many, with the confidence and courage to light the way for all.
Visit
CessnaRise.com. 
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Top News: Midair Prompts FAA Review of
Hudson |
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 The FAA has convened a New York Airspace
Working Group that will review current operating procedures in the VFR corridor over the Hudson and East Rivers and recommend safety improvements to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt by the end of
next week. FAA air traffic and safety experts will make up the panel. They will solicit comments from helicopter and aircraft operators and review air traffic and pilot procedures. They will also
review and analyze a variety of proposals to change the operating procedures in the VFR corridors. "We strongly encourage pilots to use standard practices in that area now, but it may make sense to
require them," Babbitt said. "We've heard a lot of other good ideas about improving safety there and I'm looking for a quick, but thorough review by the safety experts." AOPA and EAA have sent a joint letter to Babbitt urging a restrained response to the Aug. 8 midair collision that prompted the review.
"Acting precipitously, without all the facts, may have unintended consequences while failing to improve safety or prevent future problems," reads the letter, which is signed by both EAA President
Tom Poberezny and AOPA President Craig Fuller. EAA and AOPA especially took issue with depictions of the corridor as the "Wild West," noting that hundreds of aircraft safely use the Hudson corridor
every day, and the recent midair was the first such accident in nearly 50 years. Airspace such as the Hudson River Class B exclusion zone has recommended procedures, a designated CTAF, right-of-way
rules, and defined vertical and lateral boundaries, AOPA said. A Notam published on Aug. 11 advises pilots who fly in the
corridor to turn on their lights, use special radio frequencies, announce when they enter the airspace and fly at 140 knots or less. Fuller also said he was pleased with the FAA's "measured approach" to making any changes. "AOPA looks forward to taking part in the discussion," he said.
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New from Lightspeed: You Can Now Stream Full-Quality Music to Your Zulu from Your iPhone 3.0 with No Patch Cords!
One of the long-awaited features the iPhone 3.0 update brings to the iPhone 3G or 3GS and the second generation iPod touch is Bluetooth's Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. This is a match made in
heaven for the Zulu, because that profile comes built in — just let the music play! For more information, go to
LightspeedAviation.com
and click on "newsletter."
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 The NTSB has clarified a section of a press release issued last Friday in which it said the Teterboro controller working a Piper PA32 had a
radar contact on the sightseeing helicopter with which it would collide in time to warn the Piper pilot of the possible conflict. The board has issued a statement agreeing with the position put forth by National Air Traffic Controllers Association spokesman Ray Adams in a podcast with AVweb on Monday. But the board has also removed NATCA as an official party to the investigation, saying that by publicly raising the
issue of the apparent misstatement, the union violated an agreement signed by all participants in NTSB investigations to let the board handle the press. "Among the rules parties agree to is that they
will not reveal investigative information being learned through that process, nor publicly comment on it," the board said. "Parties agree that only the NTSB will release factual information on the
progress of the investigation and discuss the progress of the investigation with the public, including the news media."
In the podcast, Adams said the NTSB was given ample opportunity to correct the Friday statement without a fuss but, after initially agreeing to do so, refused. NTSB spokesman Terry Williams told
AVweb on Sunday that the board "[stood] by the information we put out on Friday." As the AVweb interview was appearing in subscribers' inboxes, NATCA issued a news release and also held a
teleconference on the issue. NATCA spokesman Doug Church said the union's main goal was to correct the record. "That it has now gotten us kicked off the investigation is unfortunate but we will always
speak out to correct the record in a matter as gravely serious as this one," he said.
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Fly with Bose® Aviation Headset X®
Enjoy an unmatched combination of full-spectrum noise reduction, clearer audio, and comfortable fit. Voted the #1 headset for the eighth consecutive year in Professional Pilot's 2008 Headset
Preference Survey.
Purchase by August 22, 2009 and also receive a complimentary Bose premium flight bag ($80 value).
Learn more and
order. 
Quote reprinted with permission:
Professional Pilot, 2008 Headset Preference Survey, 12/08.
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New FAA Regs Aim to Boost Safety
Infrastructure |
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 The FAA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF)
that would require a broad spectrum of aviation businesses, from repair stations to airlines, to implement formal "safety management systems" that document the safety procedures throughout the
operation. The International Civil Aviation Organization defines an SMS as "systematic approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies and
procedures." However, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) calls it an "overarching, regulatory 'blanket' to your business" that it says even the FAA admits is a major administrative and
operational burden. The AEA is urging members to comment on the NPRM but not before they attend a
seminar on its potential impact. The AEA is afraid members will inadvertently signal support for the proposal if they don't get the straight goods from the meetings.
At the heart of the SMS is a formalized decision-making process that business owners would "use to plan, organize, direct and control their normal, day-to-day business processes." However, the FAA
is quick to point out that in no way does an SMS substitute for or override all the paper trails it already requires to ensure compliance with its own regulations. "Therefore, the FAA is proposing a
significant additional burden without any financial, administration or administrative benefit to AEA members," the AEA said in a news release.
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Individualization
It's an unparalleled experience in aircraft ownership that puts the Cirrus design team at your service to create color schemes, materials, textures, and details that will make your Cirrus as original
as you are. Individualized stitching, leather color, embroidery, and embossing are but a few of the options at your command. The choices are as broad as your imagination to create a winged extension
of your flying persona. Contact Cirrus at (888) 778-6561 or via the web at
CirrusAircraft.com/contact. 
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 Embraer says it's on track to certify its Phenom 300 light jet by the end of the year. The fifth prototype flew for the first time on
Aug. 8 and it's likely to become a familiar sight on the airshow and trade show circuit since it has the fully developed BMW-designed interior. Its predecessors are going through the usual indignities
of the certification program, being subjected to cold, heat, electromagnetic radiation and generally being wrung out. No. 5 gets a more genteel assignment. "With this fifth aircraft, we will validate
the robustness of the Phenom 300 under normal operating conditions and the superior comfort of its interior, which was designed in partnership with BMW Group DesignworksUSA," said Mauricio Almieda,
Embraer's VP of executive jet programs.
The fifth aircraft was displayed at the Latin America Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The aircraft is now being used for "maturity tests," including
assessment of its single-point refueling system, externally serviced lavatory and low-altitude pressurized cabin.
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Save Money. Fly Safer.
By insuring with Avemco®, you can save up to 10% off your annual insurance premium with the Avemco Safety Rewards Program. It rewards pilots for
receiving safety instruction and/or new ratings. For more information, call us at (888) 241-7891 or
visit us
online. 
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| Click for larger images |
Michael Dacre, 53, was killed on Sunday in Malaysia as he was attempting to fly the prototype of the Jetpod, a jet-powered STOL aircraft. Dacre, who had designed the airplane, was the managing
director of Avcen, the London-based company that was developing it. The Star, of
Malaysia, reported that Dacre taxied down the runway three times before taking off, but then at about 600 feet the aircraft suddenly shot vertically into the sky, veered left, crashed to the ground
and exploded. The company's promotional materials describe the Jetpod as an eight-place, very quiet twin-engine jet that would be capable of speeds up to 350 mph and could land or take off in about
400 feet. Dacre envisioned several possible roles for the airplane, including medevac, personal transport, and air taxi. The jet could also be used by the military for reconnaissance and would be able
to operate from aircraft carriers without the need for a catapult or arrestor gear, according to a company video posted online.
The company planned to start production by 2011.
The Avcen Web site has been taken down and replaced by a statement expressing sadness at the loss of Dacre and a desire to continue
the development of the aircraft. "Our day of success and accomplishment also turned out to be a day of tragedy," reads the statement. "Mike had a dedicated passion to the project and as a world-class
aviator was extremely well respected in the world of aviation. ... His team here at Avcen will work together to live his dream making the Jetpod a successful member in the family of
aviation."
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You and Your Dollars Go Further in a Diamond
When smart pilots compare safety statistics and resale values, plus maintenance, insurance and operating costs, it's clear that investing in a Diamond pays big dividends. Top that off with
Diamond's outstanding performance, luxurious interior and cutting-edge technology, and there's no question —
you'll go further in
a Diamond. 
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These Readers Know Exactly Where They
Stand |
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The results are in. From the thousands of AVweb readers (new and old) who entered our drawing during the lead-up to EAA AirVenture, we've picked three at random to receive brand-new AV8OR
handheld GPS units from Bendix/King by Honeywell. The winners are:
- Brian Mitchell
Pittsfield, ME
- Ted Lebens
Eagen, MN
- Warren Jagodnik
Burke, VA
Many thanks to everyone who took a moment to enter the drawing, and a warm welcome to anyone who registered with AVweb for the first time to participate.
If you'd like one of these handy devices for yourself, you'll have one more chance to take one home during our AOPA Expo drawing later in the fall — or you read more about it at the Bendix/King by Honeywell Web site, as well as find a dealer and purchase one for yourself.
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Jeppesen Pilot Training
Smart pilots never truly fly solo. For 75 years, pilots have taken their aviation partner along for the journey — Jeppesen. Pilots (and future pilots) look to us for the tools and
training they need to fly safely and effectively. Throughout your career flight path, you can count on Jeppesen. Choose the learning tools best for you with our integrated system. Learn more
at
Jeppesen.com/pilottraining. 
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Aircraft Ownership and Partnership
Is the cost of flying keeping you on the ground? Explore your options with these money-saving books. Each offers expert guidance on prices, real-world operating expenses, cutting the costs of
ownership, and renting vs. owning vs. partnerships vs. leasebacks — including pitfalls to avoid, paperwork, sample agreements, tax tips, financing and insurance, and updated owner maintenance
procedures.
Check out these and
other books at AVwebBooks.com. 
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Brett Gardner has joined Becker Avionics as its new Director of Sales and Marketing. Gardner has extensive experience in the helicopter sector and was most recently a Major on voluntary assignment as
an Army Reserve Company Commander with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
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| Brad Thress |
Brad Thress has been named Vice President of Customer Service at Cessna. He joined Cessna in 1992 and was most recently VP of Component Operations.
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.
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Peter Drucker Says, "The Best Way to Predict the Future Is to Create It"
It's easy for your company to be more proactive, flexible, and entrepreneurial with AVweb's cost-effective marketing programs. Discover the benefits of instant response, quick copy
changes, monthly tracking reports, and interactive programs. To find out how simple it is to reach 255,000 qualified pilots, owners, and decision-makers weekly,
click now for
details. 
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The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is
You! |
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 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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part.
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Knowledge Is Power; Knowledge Is Also a Safety Factor When Flying IFR
The IFR environment is constantly changing. You need to keep informed. IFR Refresher is the publication for you if you're serious about flying IFR. No other publication can help
maintain your IFR flying and decision-making skills.
Order your
subscription online for savings from the regular rate. 
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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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Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.
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