AVweb

Picture of the Week: AVweb's Flying Photography Showcase
The number of submissions to our weekly photo contest may have crept up again this week — but the quality skyrocketed! With so many gorgeous photos in our submission box, we're jumping straight to the goods. (Watch for an extra-large batch of bonus pics in this week's slideshow on our home page.) With a scene so evocative we can hardly believe it was taken "in the backyard of a client's house," Justin Heitman of Airlie Beach, Queensland (Australia) claims the top spot today. Justin and crew were "on the way to a helicopter safari with 11 helicopters traveling through Tasmania" when he snapped this on his Nikon.

Question of the Week: The Future of Adam Aircraft
Following Adam Aircraft's decision to suspend operations on Monday, there have been quite a few long faces among fans of very light jets. This week, we'd like to hear your prediction for Adam's future: Will the company (or its products) be resurrected? Plus: Rising fuel prices vs. the threat of user fees — in the last seven days, which did AVweb readers say had a better chance of grounding them?

Piston Sales Slip Slightly
Piston single sales continue to buck the trend in a generally robust general aviation industry. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association released its annual statistics (PDF) on aircraft deliveries, and piston aircraft sales were down slightly at 2,675, compared to 2,755 in 2006. Business jets simply blew away other sectors in all aspects. "Aside from the record set for year-end billings, the industry also experienced an all-time high in business jet shipments, delivering over 1,000 units for the first time in history," GAMA reported. In fact, business jets accounted for more than 25 percent of the impressive total of 4,272 aircraft sold in 2007, with 1,186 delivered.

Adam Employees Hopeful, Industry Less So
There appears to be little optimism among aviation industry leaders that Adam Aircraft will be resurrected. Sources speaking on condition of anonymity have told AVweb that the prevailing opinion is that the company will fold. Adam officials are expected to reach a decision on the future by the end of this week after suspending operations on Monday. Hours after being sent home, employees gathered JD's Bait Shop Sports Grill were relatively upbeat. According to the Denver Post, rather than crying in their beers, the 20 or so Adam employees there expressed hope that someone with money will see the company they way they do. "We're all here tonight because we love this company," quality control worker Ray Romero told the Post. "We want to be there, but there's no money. We're a privately funded company. We have a beautiful product."

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Adam Aircraft suspends ops, firm's fate uncertain
Adam Aircraft Industries was expected to tell its 800 employees and creditors on Feb. 14 whether the company plans to permanently close its doors.

Birds key to creating the ultimate flying machine
Man has long studied the ease at which birds fly through the air in hopes of being able to attain the same freedom. Just like Leonardo da Vinci did centuries ago, researchers are looking to our winged friends in hopes of unlocking the key to creating the ultimate flying machine.

Aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki dies
Frank Piasecki, a pioneer helicopter designer and AOPA charter member, died Feb. 11 at his home in Havertown, Pa. He was 89.

Good weather is on the way, be ready to fly
Spring is in the air. Well, maybe not quite yet, but it's definitely coming and you'll want to be ready to take to the skies on that first perfect day.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

F-22 Raptors Returning to AirVenture
EAA received confirmation from the U.S. Air Force Thursday that two Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors will return to Oshkosh this summer for an extended appearance at EAA AirVenture 2008.

Experience the Complete 'Oshkosh: The Spirit of Aviation' Video, Now Online
Over the past few weeks you've had a chance to visit the web and preview Oshkosh: The Spirit of Aviation, EAA's beautiful new video about AirVenture Oshkosh. Now you can see the complete, 17-minute version, which is available for viewing or download through the AirVenture website.

EAA Counters USA Today User-fee Editorial
EAA is today sharply rebuking USA Today for its Feb. 13 editorial advocating general aviation user fees, reminding the national newspaper that the airlines have brought many of the current commercial air traffic bottlenecks upon themselves.

Budget Cuts Halt Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Awards, But Program Continues
Last week we featured a story about the Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Program, which was created in 2005 to promote aviation in the state by encouraging pilots and others to visit Virginia's airports and aviation museums, attend safety seminars and the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight. This week, the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) announced that due to budget cuts, the recognition awards portion of the program has been suspended until further notice.

Aero-News

Family Sues Plane's Owner In February 2007 TBM Crash
NTSB Couldn't Determine Who Was PIC The NTSB investigated the February 2007 crash of a Socata TBM700 in a bad-weather approach to the New Bedford Regional Airport (EWB) in Massachusetts, and concluded the cause was pilot error. But the board never reached a conclusion on who was serving as pilot-in-command.

P&W Geared Turbofan Demonstrator Completes Phase I Ground Tests Early
Results So Far Have Been "Outstanding" Pratt & Whitney tells ANN the company has successfully completed Phase I sea-level performance and acoustic testing on the full-scale Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine ahead of schedule. The engine will now be configured with the flight nacelle system for Phase II ground testing beginning in April in preparation for flight testing on Pratt & Whitney's 747SP flying test bed in mid-2008.

AIR, Inc. Reports January 2008 Saw 1,101 New Pilot Hires
Furloughed Ranks Drop To 2,548 According to the folks at AIR, Inc., airline pilot hiring started out strong for 2008 with 122 airlines hiring 1,101 pilots in January.

Accused Pilot Wins Appeal For Compensation Claim
Lotfi Raissi Was Detained Following 9/11 An Algerian pilot who was among hundreds of "persons of interest" detained in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks won the right this week to sue the British government for wrongful imprisonment.

Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 277 Breakfast Gathering

Crainville, IL
Sat, Feb 16, 2008 · 8:30am

Come join Carbondale's Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 277 for a hot breakfast and fellowship.

Pioneer's Cabin
1000 Pioneer Cabin Drive
Crainville, IL 62918


Pioneer's Cabin Website

Sporty's Hot Dog Fly-In

Batavia, OH
Sat, Feb 16, 2008 · 12:00pm-2:00pm

A Sporty's Hot Dog Fly-In takes place every Saturday at Clermont County (I69).

Free hot dogs from noon until 2 p.m.

Contact Jason Pruitt at (513) 735-9500.

For Sale

Ultralight Headset and RAD Intercom

Goreville, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

Designed for high noise environments.

• separate pilot and co-pilot volume controls
• adapter that can be used with handheld radios and PTT switch
• soft case that Velcro's on to airframe
• operates on external 12V power cord or internal 9V battery
• instruction sheet and adapter diagram

Original cost over $500, will sell for $250. Less than half cost. Have two and don't need this one. Vic Vicari, (618) 995-1662, Cell (618) 534-4109.

Seeking Employment

Electronic Engineer/Commercial Pilot

Anna, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky, Southeast Missouri.

24+ years of hardware, firmware, and software experience in the electronics sector.

500+ "pilot in command" (PIC) hours, over an 18 year span, in the aviation sector.

8 years of college education and over 14 years of on-the-job experience, including:

• B.S. Electronic Engineering Technology
• A.A.S. Avionic Systems
• Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating (ASEL)
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
• FCC General Radio Telephone Operators License (GROL)
• 14 years Electronic Design Engineering for RF Telemetry Company

Motivated, willing, and able! Contact:

Robert D. Carter
Steelwater Solutions Corporation
2700 Campground Road
Anna, IL 62906-3315

(618) 833-6891 phone
(618) 534-5387 cell
(866) 205-6250 fax
rcarter@steelwater.com email
www.steelwater.com website

DOWNLOAD RESUME

Services Offered

Pilot Ground Schools

Carterville, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

Prepare for your FAA Written Test or update your Instrument Proficiency with the following courses:

• Private Pilot Ground School (45 hours)
• Instrument Rating Ground School (45 hours)
• Instrument Proficiency Training (FAA aproved PCATD)

Todd Greiner, CFII/AGI
(618) 889-2517
greiner@midamer.net

For Sale or Partnership

1998 Cessna 182S Skylane

Hurst, IL
Thu, Jan 24, 2008

• 1900 TT Since New E/AF and P
• 2 KX 155A Nav/Coms
• KMA26 Audio w 4P I/C
• KT76C Transponder
• KR87 Digital ADF
• KLN 89B GPS
• KAP 140 Auto Pilot
• Wing Tip Strobes
• Vent System
• Fire Wall Replaced 2006
• Gray Leather
• Exc Condition
• White with Blue and Gold Accent
• 7.5/10
• $135,000
• Will consider partner(s)

Contact: Vernon E. Dury II, Hurst, IL, (618) 987-2800