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June 27, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

A small plane flying over three reservoirs in upstate New York late last week aroused the suspicions of some watchful (or perhaps paranoid) residents and created all sorts of havoc for one pilot and local police.
The FAA announced it would add "VFR waypoints" to sectional and terminal charts, providing navigational data in Airport/Facility Directories to make it easier for transient pilots to pick out visual landmarks habitually used by local air traffic controllers as location reporting points.
James Inhofe (R-Okla.) has plans to introduce a scaled-down ($25 million in relief) version of the bloated $5.5 billion GA relief bill introduced by the House Aviation Subcommittee that received a rather flat rejection from the Bush administration.
Nimbus Group Inc. -- the would-be air taxi company -- announced Monday that it wouldn't implement a one-for-six reverse stock split after all ... not yet.
Alaskan officials are alleging that a Robinson R44 may have started a fire near Galena earlier this month.
The FAA wants to know what you think about a proposed Advisory Circular (AC) for the L-39 Albatross military jet, increasingly flown by non-military types with a need for speed ... and a fair amount of money.

COLUMNS: Say Again?: A Week in the Life: AVweb's Don Brown has spent the last year or so giving us pilots suggestions based on what he sees on his side of the scope. But did you ever wonder what a regular day is like for him? A cup of coffee in a dark, quiet room while bossing pilots around? Acid-reflux-inducing tin-pushing early-retirement insanity? Actually, there's no such thing as a regular day...

HOMEBUILTS: Experimental Aircraft Rentals: The face of flight training is changing, at least in some circles. A relatively recent and little-known EAA exemption is allowing the owners of experimental aircraft to rent their flying machines legally for the first time. A few intrepid flight instructors have taken up the challenge and are expanding their list of services to include flight training in these unique machines. Jamie Beckett relates the story of one of the pioneers who is renting an experimental airplane for fun and profit.

KLYDE MORRIS: Some folks worry about Anthrax in the mail. Klyde has other problems.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 50 pictures last week. Congratulations to this week's winner, Daniel Berndt, of West Palm Beach, Fla. Daniel's photo titled "Serenity" shows us a beautiful Bell 430 helicopter on an even more beautiful beach. This shot was captured on a beach in tropical Cat Cay, Bahamas. Great picture, Daniel! Your AVweb prize is on the way.
To check out the winning picture, or to enter next week's contest, go to AVweb's POTW page.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 400 responses to our question last week on aviation funding. Results were mixed in our first question, as 40 percent of our responses indicated that ATC services needed increased federal funding, while 38 percent felt that reliever airports needed this money. On the other hand, 41 percent of our respondents felt that the area less affected by decreased federal funding would be flight standards (oversight and enforcement). While many comments concentrated on what areas needed more funding, one person noted that we would already have money available under the right circumstances. He said, "Those in government have been trying to tap the Aviation Trust Fund for years to use for their own agendas -- if they'd leave it alone -- I don't think we'd have to worry about $$."
To check out the complete results, including comments, go to AVweb's QOTW page.

*** THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***

This week we would like to know your thoughts on charts for VFR flight. Thanks to Robert J. Hart for suggesting this week's topic. Please go to AVweb's QOTW page to respond.
Have an idea for a new QOTW? Send your suggestions to qotw@avweb.com. Note, this address is ONLY for suggested QOTW questions, and NOT for QOTW answers or comments.

SHOPPING DEALS

SUMMER IS SIZZLING AT AVSHOP WITH HOT DEALS AND HOT NEW PRODUCTS
Special deals on the LightSPEED 25XL headsets, save $64; Lowrance 100 GPS, save $64 when you add the Airmap 100; be "cool" and see better with Randolph Aviator sunglasses, save $12; plus more headsets, GPS units, and more items on sale. Order your FREE "Handheld Transceiver Roundup", an independent 12-page analysis of the offerings from Icom, Yaesu, Japan Radio Corp. and more. Get your free copy of this guide by sending a blank email to AvShop.

FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & QUALITY PRODUCTS GO TO SOUTHEAST AEROSPACE.
As with any product or service for your aircraft, you need to shop around and focus on not only price, but quality and the professionalism of the install shop. At Southeast Aerospace, you'll find not only great prices, but experienced professional avionics technicians. When you are ready to buy that important piece of avionics and have it professionally installed, give Southeast Aerospace a call for an accurate, no hidden costs, quote.

TRADE-A-PLANE GIVES YOU THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS -- IN PRINT AND ONLINE
Get two years, 24 issues, for just $24.95 (one issue per month, USA, standard mail). Subscribe today! Call 800-337-5263 or 931-484-5137 and say you saw this AVflash mention. You can also go online now where the online issue is updated daily.

AIRCRAFT SHOPPER ONLINE OFFERS A FREE WEEK OF ADVERTISING!
Selling your aircraft? Take advantage of Aircraft Shopper Online's Summer Special for private advertisers. List your aircraft as a comprehensive ad for four weeks and get one week FREE! Your ad includes up to six photos, one page of specifications and a selling paragraph highlighting your plane's best features. Take advantage of this limited-time offer today. For more information call 1-888-992-9276 and tell them you saw this in AVweb's AVflash or go online.

DESTINATION DIRECT -- THE PILOT'S COMPLETE FLIGHT PLANNING PACKAGE
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FLIGHTLEVEL LOGBOOK 2002 -- THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE & VERSATILE electronic flight logbook has new features for both the desktop and handheld programs. FlightLevel LogBook 2002 offers flexibility and mobility in tracking pilot flight time and aircraft use history. See their FREE demo.

REMINDERS...
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PILOTS, INSTRUCTORS, MAINTENANCE TECHS! RECEIVE 25% OFF SUMMIT'S Computerized Reference Library.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT TO "TEST DRIVE" A 737/300 ENDS MONDAY, JULY 1! Airline Training Orientation Program (ATOP) is conducting an airline training program at the CONTINENTAL AIRLINES PILOT TRAINING CENTER in Houston. Register by July 1 for any 2002 class date and receive a $50.00 discount off the $435.00 course fee! Info online.

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PRO-FOCUS AB INITIO TRAINING PROGRAM SOLOS FIRST STUDENTS IN MOONEYS
The Midland College "300-Hours-To-Jet-Job" program launched its first class of students in January and is now soloing its first class of students in brand-new high-tech Mooneys. The Pro-Focus program is the newest, most progressive flight training in the U.S. and features an "ab initio" teaching syllabus, in a 19-month, five-semester associate degree program at Midland College. Upon successful completion of the Pro-Focus program, each student, with as few as 300 flight hours, will receive an interview for IMMEDIATE employment with Mesa Airlines. Students are now being enrolled for Summer and Fall semesters. Go online for complete information.

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KNOW OF A COMPANY THAT SHOULD BE ADVERTISING IN AVWEB? SEND THEM OVER.

June 24, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

The pilot of a Cessna 182 that last Wednesday flew within the prohibited airspace surrounding the White House caused a partial evacuation, will not face criminal charges, but could face several FAA sanctions.
Want a deal on a new Mooney? Mooney Airplane Company Inc. announced Thursday that it has reduced the price of the three Mooney product lines, the Eagle2, Ovation2 and Bravo, by an average of $90,000 each, or about 20 percent from the old Mooney's prices.
Last Wednesday, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation unveiled its first production Gulfstream V-SP (GV-SP), serial number 5001.
Aside from the obvious safety concerns, pilots that hand-prop their aircraft in Seattle need to be concerned about landing in jail!
The FAA has finally issued as a final rule an amendment that relieves the requirements of Textron Lycoming's Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 543A and eliminates the need for oil filter converter plate gasket or converter plate kit replacement every 50 hours TSN, TSO, or time since the last replacement.
Preliminary information from a study due out late this summer shows that a B-767 full of fuel, crashed into a nuclear reactor at 300 miles per hour, would not be able to slice through a reactor's protective concrete shell.
The Airport Working Group (AWG) -- an organization determined to turn the former Marine base, El Toro, near San Diego, into an airport once again -- is undeterred by findings of a Navy environmental impact report, which determined that it could not allow another airport to operate in this same area.

AVMAIL: Reader mail about the death of AVweb's R. Scott Puddy, the C-130 air tanker breakup, the recent White House TFR violation, the controller shortage, guns in the cockpit, AOPA's photo-ID proposal, Southwest Airlines' corpulent pax policy, ATC privatization, western Canada's massive G8 Summit TFR, co-opting of the Sport Pilot NPRM, and more.

COLUMNS: Pelican's Perch: The Whyalla Report -- Junk Science?: On May 31, 2000, a Piper PA31-350 Chieftain operated by Whyalla Airlines crashed in South Australia after suffering catastrophic in-flight failure of both engines, killing the pilot and seven passengers. A year and a half later, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued their 150-page investigation report and blamed the accident on buildup of "lead oxybromide deposits" caused by Whyalla's aggressive leaning procedures. AVweb's John Deakin has dissected the ATSB report, and concludes that while improper leaning procedures may have been involved, the ATSB analysis is seriously flawed and their lead-oxybromide theory is pure poppycock.

SAFETY: A Spinning Yarn: Buzzing and hot-dogging are the leading spin scenarios, often by highly qualified pilots who ought to know better. As Pat Veillette recently reported in Aviation Safety, the solution may not be more spin training, but more training in good judgement.

KLYDE MORRIS: NASA reaches out to a younger generation.

SHOPPING DEALS

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SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN! CHERYL CAGE BRINGS PILOTS INNOVATIVE LEARNING
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COLLEGES AND FLIGHT PROGRAMS UTILIZE THE EDUCATED OWNER VIDEO SERIES TO teach students about aircraft ownership and maintenance. The list of institutions includes the Texas DOT, Cincinnati State Technical College, Centennial College, Holland College, and Tarrant County College. The Educated Owner Video Series is a perfect fit for all flight training programs. The more pilots know about the aircraft they fly, the safer and more affordable flying will become. Affordably priced, these videos on preventive maintenance, annual inspection, and aircraft ownership teaches viewers everything from pre-purchase inspections to sparkplug maintenance, tire and wheel servicing, annuals and more! Order online.

AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE GETS READY FOR THE RENO AIR RACES, LOOKS BACK ON The Falklands 20 years later, tours the International Space Station, finds some airliners put out to pasture, and offers a look at the future in orbiting space hotels -- all in the August/September 2002 issue. Order your subscription online.

GLEIM HAS SET THE STANDARD IN FAA TEST PREPARATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Gleim expands its market-leading product line with the Pilot's Logbook for pilots and flight instructors. This Logbook provides practical features for pilots of all skill levels. Details and ordering online.

NTSB REPORTER SAYS THERE ARE TWO GOOD REASONS TO COMPLY WITH ALL FAA requirements for instrument currency: first, so you don't injure or kill yourself and your passengers; second, so that your life doesn't become even more complicated should you survive an accident in IFR conditions only to have investigators discover that you weren't legal. Find out what investigators discovered about one pilot in the June NTSB Reporter. Subscription orders online.

HEADLINES FROM PLANE & PILOT'S JULY ISSUE FEATURES: WHEN GOOD PILOTS Make Bad Decisions; Conquering The Soft Field; Before You Start Your Engine; The PhD of Aviation -- ATPs; Wanna Float?; Landing An Airline Job After 9/11; plus columnists like Dave Gwinn and Lyn Freeman. Order your PLANE & PILOT July issue online and while you're there don't miss the opportunity to enter the Bendix/King Sweepstakes, with an avionics prize package worth over $19,000!

LOSE THE MALL. SHOP AVWEB'S SHOPPING DIRECTORY FOR GREAT GIFTS AND everything aviation.

June 20, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

Who's going to staff our control towers and radarscopes in the not-so-distant future?
In Europe's air traffic control system, dissatisfaction reigns. Skies over the continent were significantly emptier than usual yesterday, as controllers in France and elsewhere walked out on strike, disrupting thousands of flights.
Three firefighters were killed Tuesday when a C-130A air tanker crashed near Walker, Calif.
Yesterday, bipartisan legislation that would create a test program allowing up to 1,400 airline pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit was approved by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation.
Here's a scenario you don't hear that often these days. A federal appeals court in the District of Columbia actually sided with a helicopter tour outfit, and dismissed an attempt by two environmental groups to bar flights over federal land outside Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.
The FAA published a Final Rule effective July 11 that provides an airspace cutout at Cincinnati for Clermont County Airport.

BRAINTEASERS: Quiz #56 -- Pilot Proficiency Awards Program: The FAA's Pilot Proficiency Award Program recognizes pilots who participate in recurrent training. Advisory Circular AC 61-91H details the requirements for this program, and its benefits for pilots. Brush up your knowledge of this important subject by taking Irv Siegel's latest interactive quiz.

INSURANCE: Territorial Limits -- What Does My Aviation Insurance Policy Impose?: Think you've got everything you need for that Caribbean trip? Looked up that insurance policy, just to make sure? Be careful -- your insurer's definition of "the Caribbean" may not include the particular island to which you're flying. Tom Chappel, of CS&A Aviation Insurance, discusses the variety of ways insurers define their coverage area.

KLYDE MORRIS: Nothing like a little paranoia to instigate a sense of deja vu in the corridors of Washington...

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 50 pictures last week. Congratulations to this week's winner, Harlan Short, of Irving, Texas. His picture should bring back memories for those C-47 drivers of years past. The photo shows a vintage R4D parked on a wet ramp, just after a storm's passage. A breathtaking rainbow adds the finishing touch to the great moment caught on film. Great picture, Harlan! Your AVweb prize is on the way.
To check out the winning picture, or to enter next week's contest, go to AVweb's POTW page.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 500 responses to our question last week on Air Traffic Control (ATC) technology. The majority (72 percent) said the FAA might unintentionally implement an unsafe ATC system, not realizing all of its hidden bugs. However, 17 percent felt unsafe equipment might be installed due to pressures to rush a new system into service. When asked if the ATC system is problem-free, the results were quite mixed. Almost half (45 percent) said there are problems in the system, but went on to say the benefits outweigh any major problems. Another 45 percent said nothing that involves technology and human interaction is ever problem-free. While much criticism was received about our ATC system, many comments praised the controllers. As one comment read, "Most controllers remain highly professional and dedicated under sometimes great stress, and often, shall we say, less-motivated supervisors."
To check out the complete results, including comments, go to AVweb's QOTW page.

*** THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***

This week we would like to know your thoughts on aviation funding. Please go to AVweb's QOTW page to respond.
Have an idea for a new QOTW? Send your suggestions to qotw@avweb.com. Note, this address is ONLY for suggested QOTW questions, and NOT for QOTW answers or comments.

SHOPPING DEALS

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VROTATE.COM IS THE SINGLE BEST PLACE IN THE GALAXY TO GET ALL THE CHARTS you need. Vrotate.com also offers the best values for: AnywhereMap GPS software and accessories and TData Corp Maintenance Libraries on CD-ROM; all Jeppesen products; Flight Guides; McGraw Hill aviation books; and a host of "must-have" stuff. See all these items and more online.

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GLEIM HAS SET THE STANDARD IN FAA TEST PREPARATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Now Gleim expands its market-leading product line with the Pilot's Logbook for pilots and flight instructors. This Logbook provides practical features for pilots of all skill levels. Details and ordering instructions online.

SPONSORS

DIAMOND AIRCRAFT UNVEILS DA42 TWINSTAR -- A FOUR-SEAT TWIN RG
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RYAN INT'L CHOSEN AS EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER OF TRAFFIC ADVISORY SYSTEMS TO Airline Training Center of Arizona (ATCA), the airline pilot flight training subsidiary of Lufthansa Airlines. Ryan International's Model 9900BX Traffic Advisory System (TAS) for collision avoidance provides Audible Position Alerting (tm) that enhances safety and improves the student's ability to see-and-avoid. For complete details of this system and how it can fit your flying needs, just click and go online today.

IN PRINT AND ONLINE. TRADE-A-PLANE IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST AVIATION resource. Since 1937, The Aviation MarketPlace with everything that keeps you flying. Subscribe today. The online subscription is updated daily. Call 800-337-5263 or 931-484-5137 and tell them you read this AVflash mention, or just go online.

INTRIGUED BY THE ADAM AIRCRAFT? SEE ALL THE DETAILS ONLINE. Click on the Adam Aircraft logo to see the newest in today's aircraft market.

CESSNA PILOTS ASSOCIATION (CPA) -- MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS
The CPA is networking, seminars, technical assistance, and up-to-date information on all Cessna aircraft. If you own and/or fly a Cessna, CPA membership is invaluable. Go online.

LIGHT PLANE MAINTENANCE HIGHLIGHTS FOR JULY INCLUDE: TURNING A BADLY neglected or damaged (and cheap) plane into a ramp beauty is more than a challenge, it could be a financial disaster; yes, in spite of all the rules, as the owner you can fabricate replacement parts for your airplane; check out control pulleys; mechanical voltage regulators and generators go hand in hand, look at how to keep them operating and adjusted in older planes; and all the regular monthly features. Order your subscription online.

ACE YOUR NEXT CHECKRIDE WITH "CHECKRIDE TIPS" AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES BY Howard Fried, AVweb columnist and a designated examiner for many years. Howard's advice will help you show your examiner your very best. Order online.

IF YOU FLY WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, PILOT GUIDES ARE A NECESSITY
"Pilots Guide to California Airports," "Pilots Guide to Southwestern Airports," and "Pilots Guide to Northwestern Airports" contain all the information about an airport and its surrounding environment and airspace. Each Guide is updated every four months and comes in a sturdy three-ring binder, which fits into most flight bags. Don't delay in ordering.

DON'T SELL YOUR PLANE -- THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY GREAT PLACES TO FLY
Maybe you don't travel in your airplane because you don't know where to go and what's available when you get there. Pilot Getaways is filled with valuable information on where to fly and what to do. For example, the Summer issue highlights Seeley Lake, Mont.; St. Augustine, Fla.; Mesa Verde, Colo.; McGehee Catfish, Okla.; Monterey, Calif.; Payson, Ariz.; Johnson Creek and Silverwood, Idaho; and Asheville, N.C. There's never a reason not to fly with Pilot Getaways' complete coverage and insight. Order your subscription online today.

DON'T WAIT TILL YOU NEED A MAGNETO TO KNOW WHAT TO BUY, HOW THE IGNITION system works, and what prevents the magneto from working properly. "The Magneto Ignition System" book, with illustrations, includes all you need to know about the Bendix and Slick magnetos used on virtually all piston aircraft engines. Don't wait till you need a new magneto to learn about your ignition system. Order "The Magneto Ignition System" today.

INCLUDE AVWEB'S SPONSORS IN YOUR AIRVENTURE PLANNING. PRINT THEM OUT and take them along.

June 17, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

April 27, 2001, following a number of high profile midairs, the NTSB strongly recommended that the FAA accelerate their program to install Terminal Radar Displays in the towers of small to medium-sized airports across the country.
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association and the Canadian government would like you to know that a 30,000-square-mile chunk of airspace straddling the British Columbia-Alberta border is off limits to all aircraft.
Well, let's hope Eclipse Aviation's much-ballyhooed bizjet is as innovative as the company's methods of raising capital.
Unspecified "security concerns" have again derailed GA access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), at least for the time being.
A group of 10 "retired" pilots is claiming the Age 60 rule never had anything to do with safety.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to put passengers flying aboard large private charters through airline-type security screening.
Background checks will become mandatory for all foreign flight students who want training in aircraft larger than 12,500 pounds.

AVMAIL: Reader mail about the Bush administration's executive order declaring ATC not inherently governmental, SECDOT Mineta's comments thereon, approach plates on the Web, ICAOization of U.S. aviation, requirements that GPS switches and annunciators be TSO'd, security at GA airports, impact of G8 summit meeting on Canadian air traffic, Michigan's new law requiring criminal background checks for ALL flight school students, and more.

COLUMNS: The Pilot's Lounge: How Many Are Going To Die, Mr. President?: The idea of a private ATC system for the U.S. has been tossed around for decades. Usually, arguments revolve around whether it would cost more or less than the current FAA-operated system. But AVweb's Rick Durden believes there is a much more serious issue at stake: more people will die if users have to pay for ATC each time they use it.

SAFETY: Brief for the Approach: Familiarity can breed confusion when a procedure that you have flown before has been revised and you don't brief for the approach. Even in a single-pilot situation, an approach briefing will ensure you have everything set up properly. Recently in IFR Refresher, Brian Jacobson followed the chain of events that led to an accident during an approach, when the pilot wasn't where he thought he was, and didn't notice the signals warning him.

KLYDE MORRIS: Part 135 security measures ... and other election strategies.

SHOPPING DEALS

AVIONICS WEST POSTS SPECIALS TILL JUNE 23 ON THESE ITEMS: Monroy ATD-200; ICOM A23, A22, A5 and A4 VHF handhelds; DRE-201 and -404e headsets; Garmin GPSMAP 295, GPSMAP 195 and GPS III Pilot plus accessories; LightSPEED 20XL, Cross Country and Solo headsets; and Pelican 1930 and Versabrite flashlights. For too-low-to-advertise prices, phone 1-805-934-9777 or send them an e-mail today. Order yours online now.

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GLEIM'S JUNE SPECIAL OFFERS 10% OFF GLEIM'S FAA WRITTEN EXAM BOOKS FOR ALL ratings. Gleim - The Standard in FAA Test Preparation. Offer ends June 30. Order online.

PILOTS, INSTRUCTORS, MAINTENANCE TECHS! TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS ON CD-ROM from Summit Aviation is the easy and inexpensive way to access over 850 vital publications and 6,000 online graphics. For up-to-date information Summit's Computerized Reference Library is indispensable. Go online for details and the June SPECIAL OFFER: 25 percent off any subscription.

REMINDER...
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JULY ISSUE OF IRR MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS: TIPS FROM A FREIGHTER; SETUP FOR Success; Be Ready for ATC with something useable; and Ramp Up for Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS). Beginner or old IFR veteran, IFR magazine is for you .

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June 13, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

Last week, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) presented its list of security recommendations for GA airports to John Magaw, chief of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Thursday President Bush deleted the words "an inherently governmental function" from a Clinton-era Executive Order on the restructuring of U.S. air traffic services.
FAA Administrator Jane Garvey will soon step down from her post after five years at the helm, and there is some concern that qualified replacements for the $150,000/year job are ... not so qualified.
The NTSB Tuesday announced their determination of probable causes regarding the March 29, 2001, crash of a Gulfstream III at Aspen, Colo., that killed 15 passengers and three crewmembers as the aircraft approached to land in light snow at sunset.
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida is proposing that all foreign students seeking flight training in the U.S. be subjected to background checks regardless of how big or how little the airplane is that they want to learn to fly.
A Toyota-designed proof-of-concept (POC) single-engine four-seat aircraft made its first flight on May 31 at the Mojave, Calif., airport, flown by Scaled Composites test pilot Jon Karkow.

AVMAIL: Reader mail about sport pilot mechanics, AOPA's study of the GA threat to nuclear plants, the proposed cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security, the V-22 "Osprey" tiltrotor, ATC privatization, Kevin Garrison's column on "Grumpy Old Captains," some poignant observations about a now-closed GA airport near Boston, and more.

PROFILES: Wally Roberts: After his stint in the Air Force and before he became a TWA Captain, Wally Roberts studied accounting. That led to an interest in the details of terminal instrument approach procedures -- TERPs -- which led to his becoming chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association TERPs committee. In this month's Profile, AVweb's Joe Godfrey talks with Wally about how instrument approaches are born, how he got his own final approach fix at El Monte, Calif., and his latest crusade to release MVAs -- minimum vectoring altitudes -- to the pilot community.

BIZAV: BizAv Update - Issue 0224 - 06/13/02: AVweb's expanded coverage of business/corporate aviation continues with highlights from the EBACE2002 convention in Geneva, news from Eclipse Aviation, further bizjet developments, new rules for charters, awards, and more.

KLYDE MORRIS: Klyde proposes a restructuring of current airline security procedures.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 50 pictures last week. Congratulations to this week's winner, Lloyd I. Cripe, of Sequim, Wash. Lloyd's photo titled "Olympic Mountains Beech 18" captures the beauty of a Beech 18 awaiting its next flight with the majestic Olympic Mountains as a backdrop. This beautifully polished aircraft was photographed at the Sequim Valley Airport on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Great picture, Lloyd! Your AVweb prize is on the way.
To check out the winning picture, or to enter next week's contest, go to AVweb's POTW page.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 600 responses to our question last week on the FBI's GA warnings. The overwhelming majority of our respondents (83 percent) felt that the recent FBI warnings regarding GA aircraft were ineffective and merely frightened the general public. The majority (81 percent) felt that these warnings do the GA industry more harm than good. Several of the comments we received dealt faulted the FBI for scaring the public; however, other respondents noted that other entities are really at fault. As one person said, "The warnings themselves don't do more harm than good, but the media's interpretation of them does. As usual."
To check out the complete results, including comments, go to AVweb's QOTW page.

*** THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***

This week we would like to know your thoughts on new ATC technology. Please go to AVweb's QOTW page to respond.
Have an idea for a new QOTW? Send your suggestions to qotw@avweb.com. Note, this address is ONLY for suggested QOTW questions, and NOT for QOTW answers or comments.

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FLYING MAGAZINE JULY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: RENTING & FLYING IN AUSTRALIA; fuel mixture mismanagement; the Citation X business jet; Piper improves its classic twin Seneca; learning from a seasoned airline captain to always make sure you have the airport in sight; maintaining competency; along with columnists you've come to know like Richard Collins and Peter Garrison. Subscrie online.

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WHAT HAPPENED WHEN A PILOT COOKED HIS OWN GOOSE ON A DARK NIGHT?
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PLANE & PILOT MAGAZINE ENTERS ITS FOURTH DECADE OF SERVICE FOR GENERAL Aviation. Now various PLANE & PILOT articles are available right here on AVweb.

FROM AIRPLANES TO WATCHES -- DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER.
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June 10, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

Thursday night, President George W. Bush announced his administration's plans to create a new cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security.
Controversy is surrounding the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) system again as the FAA pushes for nationwide rollout.
Former Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, his son Roger, and a campaign aide were killed October 16, 2000, when the Cessna 335, which Roger was piloting, crashed about 25 miles from St. Louis.
You knew this issue wouldn't die, didn't you? Aside from new Cabinet-level appointments, President Bush also dropped another bit of news on the industry, hinting at ATC privatization.
ATC radar aside, our air traffic controllers will now benefit from another piece of technology.
Last week, AVweb reported Eclipse Aviation's recent turn of events, including the possible demise of a 1,000 aircraft deal with Nimbus Group and the rise of another order from a European charter operation for 112 aircraft.
When companies need cash, they often turn to selling off some of their stock. Well, this is the case for The Lancair Company, which seems to have experienced a cash shortage as of late.

AVMAIL: Reader mail about the SWAT team incident at St. Mary's (Md.), the TSA's plans for GA security, media coverage of the GA security issue, how to tell Sen. Kohl (D-Wis.) what you think of his ideas on GA security, retention rates of military pilots, Eclipse Aviation's stir-welding process, Harry Stonecipher's departure from Boeing, and more.

COLUMNS: CEO Of The Cockpit: Grumpy Old Captains: It's been a bad day. Scratch that, it's been a bad week. AVweb's Kevin Garrison has had it up to his epaulets with cute comments from airline passengers, and he's decided it's time to let us know what passengers say that makes airline pilots rant.

NEW AIRCRAFT: Smokin' Cousin: The Cirrus SR22: Seems like everybody wants to strap a larger engine onto a successful aircraft design and call it "improved." But when Cirrus Design was ready to develop a step-up model after its very successful SR20, they knew they wanted to do more than just add some horsepower. AVweb's Dave Higdon shows that, while you might mistake the SR22 for its predecessor on first sight, wait until you climb in!

KLYDE MORRIS: Where security regulations come from ... and other things you shouldn't ask.

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AVIATION SAFETY'S JULY ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS: KEEPING INSTRUMENT SKILL SHARP; the spin training debate; ways to prevent and handle an engine out after rotation; classic example of getting busted in complex airspace; overload + over CG limit + moderate icing = disaster; plus accident reports, learning experiences and mechanical failures. To receive your subscription go online.

SMITHSONIAN'S AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS THE MYSTERY OF FLIGHT 427, plus: combat aircraft that survive the Navy's survivability laboratory; San Paulo, Brazil: helicopter capital of the world; the birth of spooky; how September 11 reverberated into general aviation; and how Richard Whitcomb changed the shape of wings and airplanes. All this and more in the June/July 2002 issue. Don't wait, subscribe online today.

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June 6, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is on the brink of establishing an office of general aviation security -- to see what can be done about all those pilots and pax who board private planes and fly willy-nilly around the country with nail clippers and tweezers.
When the Nimbus Group said last August that it would buy 1,000 Eclipse 500 jets to start a global air-taxi business, it looked a little more likely that Eclipse might actually build a jet someday.
The latest in the O'Hare/Meigs Field soap opera is a lawsuit filed Monday by Illinois Senate President James "Pate" Philip (R-Wood Dale), U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), and the village of Bensenville.
If you're planning to fly to Memphis, Tenn., this weekend for a chance to watch Mike Tyson do or say something stupid, crass and/or morally reprehensible, don't forget your slot reservation at Memphis International Airport.
In anticipation of the FAA's plan to implement Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM), Garrett Aviation Services has received Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for RVSM operation for the "500-series" straight-wing Cessna Citations.
It's getting easier to find pilots for the military in the wake of 9/11, according to a USA Today report published Monday.

AVMAIL: We received a surprising range of of reader reaction to Helen Woods' Memorial Day weekend encounter with a Sherrif's Department SWAT team at St. Mary's County Airport in Maryland. Also comments on Mooney's overture to acquire the Bonanza and Baron lines from Raytheon, and more.

COLUMNS: Eye of Experience: The General Aviation Passenger: As the peak flying season begins, more and more pilots will be flying with their families and friends, some of whom are flying in a small aircraft for the first time since September 11. AVweb's Howard Fried presents some issues they may bring into the plane, and suggests ways to help them become more comfortable.

USED AIRCRAFT: Used Aircraft: The Rockwell Space Shuttle: Seats seven, and bring all the luggage you want in the big compartment on top. There's even a baggage loading and unloading arm for the lazy among you. Fuel burn? Block to block fuel burn is about the same as an A36 ... an amazing MPG for such a big, multi-engine aircraft. If you can manage the high CHTs (Cylindrical Hot Tail), you're in business. The only downside is the 747 you need to get it back to your hangar. Walter Atkinson took the Space Shuttle simulator for a test flight, and filed this report.

KLYDE MORRIS: The Transportation Security Administration has its reasons for the rules it imposes ... really, it does.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 70 pictures last week. Congratulations to this week's winner, Rick Hazen, of Keller, Texas. Rick's photo titled "Contrail 777 @ 39,000 feet" captures the beauty of high-altitude flight, especially behind another jet. This picture was taken from a Lear 60, cruising at 42,000 feet, as it passed the behind the heavy jet. Great picture, Rick! Your AVweb prize is on the way.
To check out the winning picture, or to enter next week's contest, go to AVweb's POTW page.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS ***

We received over 500 responses to our question last week on NTSB investigations. The majority (53 percent) of those responding felt the NTSB does a thorough, competent job on aircraft accident investigations. However, 37 percent said the quality of work was lower for general aviation investigations. The overwhelming majority (77 percent) said the agency should continue to use outside experts. Many comments received suggested the NTSB lacks the resources necessary to investigate every accident thoroughly. As one person said, "The NTSB is a classic example of a group that is overworked and underpaid."
To check out the complete results, including comments, go to AVweb's QOTW page.

*** THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***

This week we would like to know your thoughts on the recent FBI GA warnings. Please go to AVweb's QOTW page to respond.
Have an idea for a new QOTW? Send your suggestions to qotw@avweb.com. Note, this address is ONLY for suggested QOTW questions, and NOT for QOTW answers or comments.

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June 3, 2002

NEWSWIRE: AVweb's in-depth illustrated aviation news coverage.

Mooney Aerospace Group (MAG), of Kerrville, Texas, has confirmed it's looking at buying Raytheon's piston-engine division, which builds Bonanzas and Barons at a plant in Wichita, Kan.
At Capt. Walter Francis Duke Regional Airport at St. Mary's on Maryland's western Chesapeake shore May 26 a couple was questioned by a SWAT team brandishing semiautomatic pistols and "M-16 rifles."
It's time on duty, not time in the air, that counts for flight crew scheduling, according to an appeals court ruling handed down Friday.
Diamond Aircraft has unveiled their prototype twin-engine aircraft hoping the certified version will revolutionize that segment of the market and attract high-performance-single buyers.
With an eye on future markets, Cub Crafters has announced plans to expand its line next year to include a replica of the original J-3 Cub to take advantage of the yet-to-be-realized Sport-Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft provisions.
Three men whose helicopter was thought hijacked by Colombian rebels have been found alive in the jungle six weeks after their April 19 disappearance.
Officials at the 39 most passenger-laden airports warned in a May 29 letter to the secretary of transportation that the air travel industry will be seriously wounded unless Congress delays the Dec. 31 deadline for screening all bags.
Iowa politicians have decided not to fund any aviation programs next year.

AVMAIL: Reader mail about National Guardsmen patrolling airports with unloaded weapons, use of proper phraseology in ATC communications, military blimp patrols, Class K, N and U airspace, faulty wiring on aircraft, and more.

COLUMNS: As The Beacon Turns: Young Eagle: In a twist on a popular and worthwhile program, a young eagle takes his first flight in Skywagon N301MC -- though, in this case, the beneficiary of Michael Maya Charles' generosity has a beak and feathers. The full report appears in the latest As The Beacon Turns.

SKYWRITINGS: The Wright Experience: Through meticulous research in both history and aerodynamics, Ken Hyde and his team of "aeronautical archeologists" seek to uncover new details on the Wright brothers and their quest to fly. Join AVweb's Peter Yost as we tour the facilities of The Wright Experience, meet the team preparing to re-create the Wright brothers' flight exactly 100 years later, and learn some of what it was like to be an aviation pioneer.

KLYDE MORRIS: Probing the new security regulations for Part 135 operators ... and other dark places.

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ADAM AIRCRAFT -- THE SAFE CHOICE -- BRINGING RELIABILITY AND CABIN-CLASS comfort to a twin-engine aircraft. The CarbonAero is a six-seat, pressurized, centerline-thrust twin-engine aircraft built using the latest design, equipment, and manufacturing techniques. Technology such as state-of-the-art avionics, carbon-composite construction, and single power-lever engines make this a true modern aircraft. For complete details on this remarkable airplane, just go online and visit today.

GAMIJECTORS CAN CUT YOUR AIRCRAFT'S FUEL BILL BY 20 PERCENT!
If you're tired of being grounded by sky-high gas prices, install GAMIjectors. Balanced fuel/air ratios make your engine run smoother, cooler, and more efficiently. Order a kit today for your Continental or Lycoming engine.

AIRPLAN, THE PILOT'S CHOICE FOR FLIGHT PLANNING SOFTWARE, HAS NEW 6.5 version that includes: runways on main map worldwide; magnetic variation is calculated using the NIMA magnetic variation; new airway routing function; improved format for the flight plan printout; and routes can be exported to the NavGPS format for the NavGPS moving map on Pocket PC systems. Complete details and ordering information from Razor's Edge.

JULY IFR REFRESHER HIGHLIGHTS: FLY THE BACK COURSE; I'D RATHER FIND A Hole; Flying the Summer Low; GPS Primer-Desired Track; Lost Com Over No-Man's Land; and The Rejected Takeoff. New to IFR flying or a long-timer, IFR Refresher has items that will make you think! Order your subscription today.

HEADLINES FROM PLANE & PILOT'S JULY ISSUE FEATURES: WHEN GOOD PILOTS Make Bad Decisions; Conquering The Soft Field; Before You Start Your Engine; The PhD of Aviation -- ATPs; Wanna Float?; Landing An Airline Job After 9/11; plus columnists like Dave Gwinn and Lyn Freeman. Order your PLANE & PILOT July issue and while you're there don't miss the opportunity to enter the Bendix/King Sweepstakes, with an avionics prize package worth over $19,000!

PERFECT FATHER'S DAY GIFTS -- OR ANY GIFTS -- CAN BE FOUND IN AVWEB'S SHOPPING DIRECTORY!

New On

June 27, 2002

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June 3, 2002

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