BLAKEY'S LAST HURRAH: SHRINK THE AIRLINES
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey warned the airline industry Tuesday in her final week in office to address scheduling practices that are "out of line with reality," or be ready "when the government steps in," according to a report by The Associated Press. Any changes should include international airlines and business jets, too, according to a quick response from the Air Transport Association's David Castelveter. Blakey's concerns for future congestion in the air and at airports recognize that the first seven months of 2007 account for the airlines' worst on-time performance numbers of all time... More...

UNIVERSAL AVIONICS WAAS-FMS
Universal aims to announce, on Sept. 25 at the NBAA Convention in Atlanta, FAA certification for a new FMS that "marks the very first WAAS-FMS system TSO'd and capable for installation on Part 23 & 25 aircraft." The new "W" series of Flight Management Systems is certified to TSO-C146b, Class Gamma-3, "the highest possible," and will enable operators from PC-12 pilots to Boeing 747 drivers to take advantage of SBAS (Space Based Augmentation System) WAAS/LPV approach capabilities, along with WAAS. According to the company, "This new FMS with integral WAAS-augmented GPS receiver is compatible with WAAS, EGNOS and MSAS and is capable of navigating approaches to ILS-like minima." More...

AWOS IV APPROVED
Vaisala Inc. is now producing its AWOS IV, which includes a freezing rain sensor that provides real-time, fully automated reporting and is the first such AWOS to receive FAA approval. The system is designed to measure both the duration and intensity of freezing rain and adds that to a more standard list of altimeter setting, temperature, dew point, wind speed/direction, visibility, present weather, cloud height and sky condition, thunderstorm detection and runway surface condition. Vasaila did not respond prior to our deadline to a request for information regarding sales and deployment of the units. More...

PLANESMART NOTES TAX SAVINGS WINDOW
Sales marketing through education about tax depreciation -- it's the angle PlaneSmart! is apparently using to push for sales in shares of its SR22-G3 Turbo aircraft. "If you buy a share of an SR22-G3 Turbo by September 30, you could enjoy depreciation deductions of up to 20 percent on your 2007 income taxes!" And by the end of next year, "your cumulative depreciation will equal 52 percent," according to the company. Presumably, there are deductions available for purchases of other aircraft, too (check with your favorite tax professional). Those unable to make a purchase this year can still realize a 43-percent depreciation deduction in 2008, says PlaneSmart!. More...

EMIRATES: DREAMLINER DELAYS OK
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner's flight testing, originally scheduled to begin in late August, is now scheduled for October. Boeing has confirmed that a fastener-shortage problem and glitches in the aircraft's flight control software have impacted the schedule. "A slip of two months is not harmful to the program, and can be made up in reasonable time, we believe," wrote Howard Rubel of Jefferies & Co. Inc. last week. Boeing plans to fit testing inside six months, acknowledging that previously built-in margin for error and unforeseen missteps has now been erased. Emirates' decision to order 100 Boeing 787 aircraft (and not Airbus A350 aircraft) has not been affected by Boeing's announced delays in the program, according to comments Emirates President Tim Clark left with ATW Daily News. Clark remains bullish on the program, stating that he expects the aircraft to be among the finest ever built. He also offered comments that seemed to defend Boeing. More...

WSI ANNOUNCES AV-300 SERIES DATALINK
WSI Corporation Monday announced commercial availability of its new inFlight AV-300 series datalink weather system. The unit has dimensions similar to the AV200 system but paired with the AV-350 receiver offers not only weather content, but radio entertainment as well. The AV-300 series antenna and receivers have each received FAA TSO authorization. The AV-300 receiver (no radio entertainment) plus antenna is $4,347, plus installation; MSRP for the AV-350 receiver plus antenna is $5,949 plus installation. Weather service plans start at about $30 per month. The system is shipping now. More...

CESSNA CITATION ENGINE MAKEOVERS
For those no longer pleased with the engines on their Cessna Citation S/II (CE-S550), Clifford Development has initiated an STC program to re-engine the aircraft with Williams International FJ44-3 engines. According to Clifford, for a mere $2.185 million (that includes a credit for the original engines), the conversion affords a 75-percent reduction in time-to-climb to 43,000 feet and a 40-percent NBAA range increase (with four aboard), along with a 38-percent reduction in fuel costs. Add to that a 34 percent increase in single-engine climb rate and a 10-percent shorter takeoff field length. The benefits aren't all thanks to engines; the STC will include winglets, too. More...

AVWEB HAS NBAA COVERED
As we make our coverage plans for the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention in Atlanta at the end of the month, we're trying to make sure we don't miss anything new, innovative or just plain newsworthy. If your company or organization has a story to tell, make sure that the uniquely qualified audience that AVwebBiz and AVwebFlash serves gets your message. Please email your advance press releases and news conference times, along with contact information to Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles at rniles@avweb.com. More...

AVWEB ORIGINAL VIDEOS

The main video today is Vern Rayburn on the Eclipse 500 fixes. To the right, find an inside look at Cessna's NGP, precision aerobatics with Mike Mancuso and Matt Chapman, and more. More original videos are on the way.

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 (bio)

Contributing Editors
Mary Grady (bio)
Glenn Pew (bio)

Features Editor
Kevin Lane-Cummings (bio)

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