July 21, 2010

By The AVweb Editorial Staff

Changed Your Mind About Who Makes the World's Quietest, Most Comfortable Aviation Headset? Then be sure to look into Lightspeed Aviation's greatly expanded trade-up program that not only includes Lightspeed headsets, but premium headsets from four other manufacturers. You could receive a significant credit toward your purchase. So if you've been waiting to make a move, there's never been a better time to buy a Zulu. More details are available at LightspeedAviation.com. AVflash! AEA, FAA on 121.5 ELTs back to top  Sponsor Announcement AEA Says 121.5 ELT Manufacturing Should Stop The FAA has asked the FCC to cancel proposed rules that would ban the use and manufacture of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters. As we reported in June, the FCC has said it plans to ban 121.5 ELTs because search and rescue satellites don't monitor that signal anymore. However, the FAA points out that the Coast Guard and Civil Air Patrol do monitor the frequency and that more than 38,000 (of 200,000) aircraft owners have voluntarily equipped with the replacement 406 MHz units. It also noted that manufacturers wouldn't be able to suddenly equip more than 160,000 aircraft. "The ability of the aviation industry to continue the manufacture, importation, sale and use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters is of utmost importance to the aviation community," the FAA wrote to the FCC. However, the Aircraft Electronics Association disagrees with a key point of the FAA's argument, saying manufacture of the old-style ELTs should be stopped. "The AEA supports the FAA's proposal for operators to continue the 'use of existing' 121.5 MHz ELTs," the AEA said in a news release. "However, because satellite monitoring has ceased for 121.5 MHz, the AEA does not support the FAA's position of allowing the continued manufacture, importation or sale of new 121.5 MHz ELTs." The AEA calls the FAA argument "illogical" and says the discontinuation of satellite monitoring means the old ELTs no longer work the way they were intended. It says it doesn't understand how the agency could argue that stopping the manufacture of outdated equipment would be detrimental to aviation safety. Iceland Hosts European Aviation Summit This international conference will explore the latest developments in aviation asset management in Europe as well as the future of asset management services. It will also provide an unparalleled opportunity for networking with European airlines, aircraft manufacturers, banks, airports, law firms, financial analysts, leasing and finance companies, consultants, service providers and any aviation professionals involved with the development of the aviation asset management sector in Europe. Airlines admitted at no charge. Click here for more information. It's Official — Twin Otter Is Back back to top  New Twin Otter Certified The modernized version of the venerable Twin Otter has received Transport Canada certification and launch customer Zimex Aviation has taken delivery of the first of the Series 400 aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow from manufacturer Viking Air of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Resumption of production and recertification took three years and Viking CEO Dave Curtis said the first delivery is a milestone in what will almost certainly be a long run of the legendary STOL twin. "We are writing the next chapter in the long history of de Havilland Aircraft in Canada, and thank our customers who have remained loyal even through one of the toughest economic environments in recent memory." The aircraft was originally built by de Havilland Aircraft but production stopped in the 1980s. Viking obtained the type certificates for all de Havilland models and quickly amassed $200 million in orders for the aircraft, many of which came from existing users of legacy Twin Otters. Viking has also developed a military version of the Twin Otter called the Guardian. JA Air Center — When It Comes to Garmin Avionics, Go with a Name You Can Trust! Since 1965, pilots have trusted the avionics experts at JA Air Center. Whether you're looking for ship-in repair, custom installation, or a mail order purchase, no one knows avionics better than JA Air Center. Call (800) 323-5966 or click here. BUY, SELL, or TRADE your avionics and GPS equipment at JA Air Center Five Dollars, Three Years back to top  FAA Requires Aircraft Registration Renewals The FAA will now require re-registration of all civil aircraft over the next three years and renewal every three years after that, the agency said on Monday. A final final rule published this week establishes specific expiration dates over a three-year period for all aircraft registered before Oct. 1, 2010, and requires re-registration of those aircraft according to a specific schedule. A fee of $5 will be collected for each registration and each renewal. The FAA will cancel the N-numbers of aircraft that are not re-registered or renewed. "These improvements will give us more up-to-date registration data and better information about the state of the aviation industry," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Current regulations require owners to report the sale of an aircraft, the scrapping or destruction of an aircraft, or a change in mailing address, but many owners have not complied with those requirements, the FAA said. Re-registration of all U.S. civil aircraft by Dec. 31, 2013, will enhance the database with current data derived from recent contact with aircraft owners, according to the FAA. The new regulations also aim to ensure that aircraft owners give the FAA fresh information at least once every three years when they renew their registration. Click here for the FAA's full schedule for re-registration and registration expiration. The rule was proposed in 2008. AOPA had suggested that the rule should not include fees and shouldn't cancel N-numbers for lack of renewal. "We are disappointed that the FAA has chosen what may turn out to be a complicated and costly method of updating the aircraft registry," said AOPA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Rob Hackman. The FAA reauthorization bill now in Congress would allow the FAA to raise the initial fee to $130 and renewals to $45, AOPA said. "AOPA will be monitoring the implementation of the rule closely and communicating with the FAA about any issues that arise," said Hackman. PiperJet — Revolutionary PiperJet. A class of one. Because only one jet combines so much speed, range, cabin comfort, and payload with single-engine efficiency. PiperJet — Piper's economical solution for business aviation. Click here for more information on the PiperJet. Let Garmin Be Your Co-Pilot? back to top  Garmin Hand-Flying Backup Garmin has introduced redundancy for the pilot with its Electronic Stability and Protections System (ESP) that keeps hand-flying pilots from getting into trouble. The system operates when the GFC 700 autopilot has been disengaged. It operates in the background and if the pilot becomes distracted or incapacitated the system uses the autopilot servos and sensors to detect and correct unsafe flight conditions. It will also prevent overstressing the airframe during pullouts. After it senses things are back to normal it goes back into the background. "Until today, this type of stability augmentation system has only been available on fly-by-wire aircraft that cost millions of dollars," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "We're thrilled to be the first to make this safety enhancing technology available to business and general aviation pilots." The system will sell for about $18,000 and the first will go into a King Air later this year. It will be available as an option on Garmin G1000 and G3000 systems installed in some aircraft. It will be up to manufacturers to decide how it works and what features are used in their aircraft. Big South Fork Airpark Is More than Just a Neighborhood — It's a Community Each home has convenient runway access and is in the immediate vicinity of the 125,000-acre Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area with its forests, gorges, and sandstone bluffs. All Big South Fork Residents can enjoy: Safety — Big South Fork Airpark is one of the safest Airparks in the country. Convenience — the 5,500-ft. runway has four approaches, pilot-controlled lighting, an on-site maintenance facility, and FBO; fly in 24 hours a day. Value — home sites starting at $89K; there is no income tax and low property tax in Tennessee; no tax on your airplane! Click here for more information. The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! back to top  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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. Help Us Cover Your AirVenture News As you put the final touches on your press material for AirVenture Oshkosh, we have some tips to help you get the most out of your PR presence at the big show. If you have a new product, a significant update of an existing product or a new service that 260,000 pilots and aviation professionals will be interested in knowing about, by all means let us know. You can reach us at Here are some guidelines to help you make the most of your presence at AirVenture, in PDF format. Have a great show! Get More Rewards Faster with WingPoints®! Reward yourself when you refuel with WingPoints from Phillips 66® Aviation. Start earning points immediately, and earn double points when you use WingPoints with any Phillips 66 Aviation branded card. Get your card today! Who's Where back to top  Hawkins Moves to StandardAero Dale Hawkins is the new Airframe Sales Manager for StandardAero. He spent 28 years at Kal-Aero/Duncan Aviation in various capacities. Martin at Bombardier Gary Martin is the head of Aftermarket Sales, Marketing and Service at Bombardier. He was most recently at Honeywell and has 25 years in the industry. 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. Mooney: We Love to Fly. Fast. Fly faster. Fly farther. In the powerhouse advancement of the best-selling single-engine rectractable on the market. Pilots know. There's no aircraft like the new Mooney Acclaim Type S. Nothing has prepared you for the performance punch you'll feel when you pull back the yoke. You'll fall in love with pure speed and flying excitement all over again. Mooney is taking deposits for 2010 models. Call (800) 456-3033 or visit Mooney.com. Opinion & Commentary back to top  AVweb Insider Blog: Déjà Vu All Over Again — Why the Packard Diesel Failed It tanked for some of the same reasons that will challenge modern diesel makers, says Paul Bertorelli on the AVweb Insider blog. Packard figured out the weight and power density challenges, but durability proved elusive. So did power, which, when given the choice, pilots seem to prefer over economy. Maybe the impending doom of 100LL will give them second thoughts. Click here to read Paul's thoughts and share your own. AVweb Insider Blog: Barefoot Bandit — Just Misunderstood The owners of one of the airplane that Colton Harris-Moore allegedly heisted were admirably generous in their reaction to the theft, suggesting that he just needs a father-to-son talking to. Paul Bertorelli agrees — and in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog, he explains why the sit-down should happen at the state pen. Click here to read the blog. Rod Machado Instrument Pilot Training AVweb Bookstore now features Instrument Rating Part 141-approved training kits based on Rod Machado's text books. We find Machado's teaching style memorable, interesting, fun, and a welcome alternative to Brands X and Y. Many flight schools and college programs agree, citing higher test scores and pass rates since making the switch. Machado Instrument Kit / $192.45 Call (800) 780-4115 or click here for more information. Help Us Celebrate AVweb's 15th Anniversary back to top  15 Years and Now 15 Grand Giveaways ... It's Your Chance to Win a Spidertracks Aviator Win a Spidertracks Aviator as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary! All you have to do is click here to enter your name and e-mail address. (You only have to enter once, and you'll be entered in our prize drawings for the entire year — so if you've already entered, you're all set.) And no, we're not going to rent or sell your name, ever. Tell your friends, and invite them to sign up for AVweb so they can qualify for our 15 Grand Giveaways prize drawings, too. (We won't spam them, either — but we hope they will sign up for our newsletters.) Deadline for entries is 11:59pm Zulu time Friday, August 6, 2010. Click here to read the contest rules and enter. Looking for Low-Cost, Yet Effective, Marketing Options? Let AVweb assist your company in creating effective direct-response marketing campaigns to generate leads. No other digital aviation news media reaches more qualified subscribers more often. Text messages in newsletters combined with online banners reach over 255,000 readers monthly and deliver more new users to sponsor sites weekly than most print publications do monthly. Click now for details. AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn back to top  Canadian Military Flight Training: A Ride-Along in the CT-156 Harvard II Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos To many people, it's just a joke about funny Canadian place names, but Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is the center of the universe for young military officers from all over the world who want to become military pilots. Under the auspices of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, the Canadian Forces and Bombardier are in a joint venture to train Canada's next generation of pilots and also new pilots from as far away as Singapore. AVweb's Russ Niles went for a ride in the CT-156 Harvard II (the Canadian version of the Texan II used by the U.S. Air Force) and spoke with flight instructor Capt. Zack Charbonneau. 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. Names Behind the News back to top  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 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 AVwebBiz. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.