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Tuesday 14th October 2008

Top News
Late last week, The Associated Press wrote in multiple short articles (and at least one long one) that implementation of the FAA's proposed satellite-based NextGen air traffic control system could save aircraft operators (and U.S. airlines in particular) roughly $10 billion per year, and newspapers across the country noticed. From the Chicago Tribune to USA Today, major news outlets spread the articles and their contents that the $35 billion (projected) program (due for completion sometime in the 2020s, at the earliest) would allow savings in time, reduce delays, increase efficiency and save fuel through more direct routing (read: it makes more sense) -- but also that the program has been virtually stalled "for more than a decade." The shorter widely spread articles did not touch on the complications of funding the program, but the longer one cites systemic logistical and political complications. For pilots, FAA reauthorization delays, the potential impact of user fees, or cost to users in equipment upgrades may still ultimately act as motivation to slow the changeover and delay the realization of user costs.
Oct 12, 7:07pm UTC

More News
"Off we go into the wild blue yonder" will take a significant turn as the military plans to more than double its fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles and non-flying pilots by 2011.
Oct 12, 6:37pm UTC
Last week's rapid altitude change on an Airbus resulted in injuries, a potential compensation bill for Qantas, and new concerns about conflicts between laptop computers and commercial aircraft systems.
Oct 11, 8:41am UTC
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Friday announced a new, free online course called "Do The Right Thing", designed "to help pilots improve their decision-making skills."
Oct 12, 8:04pm UTC
Boeing and the Machinists Union have agreed to resume talks, though both sides continue to be at odds over pay, benefits and the use of outside suppliers.
Oct 11, 8:44am UTC
NBAA's Safety Committee met in Orlando during the NBAA Convention and said it will revise its guidelines for training pilots of very light jets.
Oct 8, 3:36pm UTC
First it was zooming fuel prices, now it's volatile financial markets, and as the airlines scramble to survive, pilots are finding their work lives in turmoil.
Oct 8, 8:12pm UTC
The site of Steve Fossett's crash was covered in about two feet of snow over the weekend, and officials said they will probably not be able to return to the site until next summer.
Oct 7, 7:25pm UTC
The FAA has added eight schools to its list of colleges and universities approved to train students for careers as air traffic controllers.
Oct 7, 7:28pm UTC
Viking Air, of British Columbia, has brought the irreplaceable Twin Otter design into the 21st Century, and it's an idea whose time has come.
Oct 8, 5:55am UTC
 
Comp Air has announced that it has been granted $150 million to develop, certify and produce the 310-knot, eight-plus-two, near-standup cabin (with lavatory) Comp Air 12.
Oct 12, 6:35pm UTC
An investment of nearly $200 million federal and local dollars spent over 20 years has made Indianapolis International Airport a friendlier (read: quieter) neighbor.
Oct 12, 6:33pm UTC
First impressions of a massive proposed rule aimed at beefing up general aviation security are that parts of it will put an outsized burden on GA operators compared to the security benefit.
Oct 9, 9:10pm UTC
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, marked the grand opening and recognition of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Ala., now officially a national landmark.
Oct 12, 9:35pm UTC
Attendance at NBAA's 61st convention was down, but only marginally, according to early attendance figures released Wednesday.
Oct 9, 3:38am UTC
Despite discouraging news lately for those hoping to develop a next-generation air taxi system, some upbeat news came along this week with the launch of VirginiaAirTaxi.com.
Oct 7, 7:20pm UTC
For years, airline crews have lobbied against requests from safety advocates for video in the cockpit, but now it seems that some crews have shot their own videos and posted them on YouTube.
Oct 8, 3:39pm UTC
Well, product development is important--even if the design is almost 100 years old. The Wright "B" Flyer Inc. has built a new replica of the aircraft that "really introduced the country to aviation," said Amanda Wright Lane.
Oct 8, 10:53pm UTC
It seems likely that Ed Swearingen's dream will come true as the SJ30 that he's devoted much of his life to has caught the eye of some folks with practically bottomless pockets.
Oct 7, 3:48pm UTC

COMPLETE NEWS Read the Latest Issue of AVwebFlash
NEWS ARCHIVES Past News Stories on AVweb

Columns
Student pilots don't have to prove they can recover from a spin, but Rick Durden knows the training advantages that come from near-spins.
AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit loves his RC Cub, but it's a different beast entirely from what he usually is in charge of.
 
It's hard to imagine an instrument-rated pilot flying into a Midwestern winter without checking the destination weather.
When it comes to aviation maintenance, it's not impolite to ask what something is going to cost. It's mandatory.

FULL INDEX OF COLUMNS Find All Columns Of Interest

AVweb Insider Blog
In the current economic gloom, oil prices are in retreat. That's a good thing, right? No, it's not. And here's why.
 

AVweb Insider Home

Podcasts and Video from NBAA Convention 2008
We reported last week on the formation of a new Wichita Aero Club, and this week's National Business Aviation Association Convention is serving as the group's gala coming-out party. Executive Director Dave Franson sat down to educate us about the group's goals and structure.
Can the Gulfstream get any more passenger-oriented? At this year's NBAA Convention, Pres Henne (senior vice president for programs, engineering and testing) answered that question with a resounding yes, explaining how a bevy of new features in the G250 and a new "cabin-essential" power philosophy are making the airplane (expected in 2011) an even more welcoming environment that previous Gulfstreams.
The 400-series Beechjet has been a successful model, but as it ages, its fuel economy and performance are dated against newer jets. Nextant Aerospace says it can address that with an aggressive STC program to re-engine the airplane with the new Williams FJ44-3AP and Collins Proline 21 avionics. Learn the details from Nextant's Ed McDonald and Mark O'Donnell in this podcast.
If you're familiar with crew resource management, you may be interested to learn that a company called Century CRM is bringing many of the concepts into the single-pilot arena under the aegis of "cockpit resource management." Century's Carl Carmichael explains how the company's innovative training can teach you to make the best use of your cockpit, in all sorts of different conditions.
NBAA president Ed Bolen told AVweb that association members are concerned about the credit crisis, but the Association's convention in Orlando is expected to see record participation. Bolen details the outlook in this podcast.
Topic One at the opening day of the National Business Aviation Association convention is the growing financial and credit crisis. Cessna president Jack Pelton says the company is seeing slowed uptake in orders for new aircraft as credit tightens. The worry is that this economic trouble spot is entirely different than the 2001 slowdown, Pelton says.
 
One of the best utility aircraft ever made has been reborn. Viking aircraft will produce the Twin Otter with upgrades that save weight and reduce complexity while enhancing safety and performance.
Elbit Kollsman provides real-time, real-world vision enhancement for pilots flying in bad weather and low visibility conditions.
The Learjet 85 is due from Bombardier in 2012 and offers an eight-seat luxury cabin plus expansive galley and lavatory to accommodate passengers in comfort for a range of up to 3,000 nautical miles.
Cessna's latest interior configuration for its Columbus business jet, due in 2014, maximizes storage space and comfort for eight cabin occupants.
AVweb Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles and Editorial Director (and Aviation Consumer Ed.-in-Chief) Paul Bertorelli discuss the state of business aviation as NBAA's annual Convention and Trade Show gets underway in Orlando, Florida. (Click through to watch.)
A twin PT-6 (Pratt & Whitney)-powered amphibious aircraft capable of carrying up to 12 passengers to most destinations land or sea was introduced to attendees of the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando — the Dornier SeaStar. (Click through to watch.)

FULL INDEX OF PODCASTS Find All Podcasts Of Interest

Features
Reader mail this week about hangar fees, FSS, FusionMan and more.
Arrival and departure paths are designed to clear ridges, trees and tall shrubbery near many airports. Test your TERPS savvy or prepare to bring us that shrubbery.
 
When the rules say to fly a procedure turn, ATC may have other ideas. Here's why you should stand your ground and do the right thing.
Randy Schlitter's latest design is purpose built for Light-Sport rules but intended to be one of the easiest-to-build kits around.

FULL INDEX OF FEATURES Find All Features Of Interest

Top Bizav News
Harrison Ford will join more than 300 fellow Cessna Citation pilots in the 2010 Special Olympics Airlift to Lincoln, Neb. in 2010 as honorary chairman. Ford appeared at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando on Sunday to lend his support to the effort, which is a favorite project of Cessna President Jack Pelton. Pelton and Ford also head up EAA's Young Eagles program, and Pelton said it only took a phone call for the actor to agree to help out with the Special Olympics effort.
Oct 6, 5:09am UTC

More Bizav News
Diamond Aircraft has flown its single-engine D-Jet with the planned higher-thrust Williams FJ33-5A engine.
Oct 6, 6:28am UTC
Globaljet, a charter management company, flew its Lear 35A here from Van Nuys, Calif., to show off its uniquely equipped luxury cabin.
Oct 6, 6:21am UTC
Big shows like the NBAA Expo attract all the major industry players with their latest whiz-bang news, but what sometimes gets lost in the shuffle are the dozens of smaller businesses who also show up, with new products to push that they hope will make every pilot's life easier, or more pleasant, or safer.
Oct 6, 6:42am UTC
 
Aerion is here at the show, still far from having a flying prototype of their supersonic business jet to wow us with, but continuing to make positive progress.
Oct 6, 5:51am UTC
Satcom Direct, a provider of satellite voice, fax, and Internet data service solutions, announced here at NBAA Expo that it is offering a new premier service plan called Satcom On Site (SOS).
Oct 6, 6:04am UTC

FULL INDEX OF BIZ STORIES Find Past Biz Stories Of Interest

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Who's Where
FirstFlight Inc. has announced that Gary Hart is the new Chief Operating Officer for the company. He has 25 years of experience in the industry with companies like NetJets and Raytheon.

Oct 1, 3:09am UTC

FULL INDEX OF WHO'S WHERE STORIES Find Past Who's Where Stories Of Interest

VIDEO


Radio-Controlled F-18 Camera

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Exclusive Videos from NBAA 2008

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New Twin Otter
Enhanced Vision

Columbus Cabin
Learjet 85

Dornier SeaStar
Editors' Preview

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READER-SUBMITTED PHOTOS
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How will the current economic conditions affect general aviation?

While the doors seemed to be falling off the global economy this week, we didn't see much evidence of hardship inside the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, where the National Business Aviation Association held its annual convention and trade show. In fact, quite a few businesses seemed to have sunny outlooks for business aviation, at least for the forseeable future. But what about GA?


Share your Opinion »

FUEL FINDER

FBO OF THE WEEK

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Showalter Flying Service at KORL in Orlando, Florida.

AVweb reader Jim Thomas recommended the FBO for exceptional performance "amid the hubbub of NBAA":

Despite nearly 500 aircraft on static display, the great crew at Showalter are still delivering high-quality service with a smile. All fees are waived with a minimum fuel purchase, even as little as a gallon! Showalter has hosted EAA Chapter 74 since the new terminal was built and also provides facilities for the Orlando Youth Aviation Center's "Introduction to Aviation" class series for kids 10-16. I've always found them to go above and beyond on any request. Bob & Kim Showalter run a class act.

Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.

AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!

Nominate an FBO »

SHORT FINAL...

On Friday, October 10, Qantas's first Airbus A380 visited Auckland, marking the first visit of the type to New Zealand. It did a press junket promotional flight across the city and environs, filmed by a news helicopter, ZK-HST. This was heard on Auckland control 124.3:

ZK-HST:
"Auckland Control, Hotel Sierra Tango. We've filmed the takeoff, and we'd like to track to the city to film the flyover."

Auckland Control:
"Hotel Sierra Tango, do you have the A380 visual?"

ZK-HST:
"Affirm, Boeing in sight!"

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