AVweb

Boeing Defends Southwest
Boeing is leaping to the defense of its biggest customer, issuing a statement saying it agreed with Southwest Airlines’ plan to continue flying 46 older 737s that hadn’t been inspected for specific fatigue cracks. “In Boeing's opinion, the safety of the Southwest fleet was not compromised,” Boeing said in a statement released late Thursday, a day after the FAA proposed fines of $10.2 million against the airline. $10 million of that fine is to be levied for 1,451 flights conducted on the 46 737-300s after Southwest blew the whistle on itself for not carrying out the fatigue crack inspections during the previous year. After discovering the lapse in inspections and reporting it to the FAA, the airline re-inspected the aircraft and found six with small cracks, which were repaired. However, the aircraft remained in service during the 10 days it took to inspect them and that’s what the FAA is so cranky about. "The FAA is taking action against Southwest Airlines for a failing to follow rules that are designed to protect passengers and crew," said Nick Sabatini, the agency's associate administrator for safety. "We expect the airline industry to fully comply with all FAA directives and take corrective action."

ADS-B Wins Collier Trophy
And the winner is...a work in progress. The National Aeronautic Association held its annual awards luncheon Thursday and, while historically the winner of the Collier Trophy is a person or an airplane, this year it was largely a concept. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) was the winner of the award generally recognized as the epitome of aviation innovation and excellence. However, as a functioning tool in the grand aviation scheme, ADS-B is in its infancy and, as the cornerstone of the FAA’s NextGen airspace management system, the jury is still out on just how its implementation will play out over the next few decades. "Like all of aviation, things are changing. Processes and projects are becoming worthy of nomination," said NAA president Jonathan Gaffney. For the record, the Collier Trophy is awarded for “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year,” according to the NAA Web site. Other nominees may have more closely resembled those criteria.

AVweb Insider Blog: Kitplanes Examines Experimental "51%" Solutions — Is Primary Category the Answer?
Be sure to visit our new blog, AVweb Insider, for personal insights and commentary on the aviation industry from our staff of writers and editors. Today, Kitplanes editor Marc Cook sifts through the buzz around the so-called "51%" rule and asks, "Could, as the Aviation Rulemaking Committee suggests, Primary Category be the bridge between super-fast-build Experimentals and the turnkey (but noncertified) aircraft the market seems to demand? Is the so-far good record of LSA enough to make it viable?"

Picture of the Week: AVweb's Flying Photography Showcase
In a week where green grass and sunny skies dominated the "POTW" submissions, Charles Peterson of Jubcos, Puerto Rico gave us our favorite taste of spring fever. Watch your mailbox for a brand-new AVweb cap, Charles. (It'll keep the sun off your head the next time you boys get together.)

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Threat to engine failure sparks safety alert
Precision Airmotive has issued a safety alert and service bulletin for its fuel-injection systems found on many light aircraft--including all newer model piston single-engine Cessnas and some Pipers--because of a possible loose brass regulator plug that could cause significant or complete engine power loss.

AOPA seeks member support to oppose two-lock rule
There are no laws requiring you to lock up your car, your RV, or, in many states, your guns. But lawmakers in Pennsylvania want to require not one, but two, locks for all general aviation aircraft and create criminal penalties for failing to use them.

Keep user fees out of the 2009 FAA budget, AOPA says
Although the U.S. Senate has yet to pass final FAA funding legislation, the agency's bills still have to be paid. So, the congressional committees that actually write the annual check have started working on the FAA's budget for 2009, assuming that when the time comes the money will be there.

Pilots must remain vigilant following ADIZ bust
A violation of the heavily guarded airspace over the nation's capital on March 5 underscores the need for pilots to review procedures and remain vigilant. Even a small incursion can result in national attention.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

EAA Critical of FAA's ADS-B Proposal
EAA submitted its comments this week to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the FAA's plan to implement Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) as the central component of the Next Generation air traffic control system.

U.S. Extends ICAO English Proficiency Deadline Until March 2009
The International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) English language proficiency requirement went into effect this week, March 5, but the United States informed ICAO it has extended its compliance date a year, to March 5, 2009.

Hints for Homebuilders Videos Now Online
In keeping with EAA's efforts to offer knowledge and information in the most user-friendly and readily available ways, EAA has created Hints for Homebuilders, a series of short videos that are now available online. Subjects for these initial videos were selected and developed by EAA staff and member volunteers.

Aviation Loses a Legend: Donald Lopez Passes Away
Donald S. Lopez, legendary World War II Ace fighter pilot, died after suffering a heart attack on Monday, March 3, at the age of 84. Lopez, EAA 283291, was a longtime EAA AirVenture Oshkosh attendee and presenter, including last year when he took part in a special Fighter Pilots forum.

Aero-News

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (03.08.08)
"We're being particularly aggressive in ratcheting up the level of safety, on our runways especially. Last year, only eight runway incursions involved commercial aircraft. That's eight in more than 61 million operations." Source: FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell, speaking Friday before the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies concerning the agency's $14.6 billion budget request for FY2009.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (03.08.08): Ground Effect
Aero-Terms! Increased lift generated by the interaction between a lift system and the ground when an aircraft is within a wingspan distance above the ground.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (03.08.08)
Aero-Linx! Dedicated to the men and women who built, maintained, flew and restore the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.

Navy Helo Comes To Aid Of Civilian Diver
Rescued Off Florida Coast A civilian diver was rescued March 6 off the coast of Florida after the US Coast Guard requested USS Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) assistance in a search effort.

Aviation Sales, two Aircraft Dealerships, and an Information Technology Company Land at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport

Mt. Vernon, IL
Mon, Mar 03, 2008

Mt. Vernon Outland Airport continues to grow with the addition of several new businesses, including:

Eric Evans Aviation - Eric Evans Aviation , Ltd., located inside the Koziara Terminal, sells and brokers all types of aircraft ranging from piston engine singles to twin engine business jets.

Owner Eric Evans, has spent nearly a lifetime in aviation and offers an innovative “off-market” research and contact based approach to find the right aircraft or prospect for each individual buyer or seller. Eric Evans Aviation.


Expedition Aircraft - Shortly after moving his business from Edwardsville, Illinois to Mt. Vernon Outland Airport, Eric Evans traveled to Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, where Eric Evans Aviation, Ltd. and Expedition Aircraft Company entered into a contract, making Eric Evans Aviation, Ltd. at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport the exclusive Eastern United States Dealer of the Expedition.

The Expedition E350 and E350XC is titled The Ultimate Go Anywhere, Do Anything Aircraft. The high wing, high performance, five seat aircraft features the highest useful load and largest cabin width in its class, and features spectacular take off performance, great cruise speed, and good range at gross weight.

The "King City" Expedition Dealership territory covers all areas of the United States east of the Mississippi River and the Caribbean. Expedition Aircraft.


Jabiru USA - Unlike Expedition Aircraft, Jabiru USA, Sport Aircraft, LLC is not a new term for those following Mt. Vernon Outland Airport. The Australian designed Light Sport Aircraft, first flew in 1991. The design has accumulated over 500,000 flight hours all over the world. The aircraft are considered docile and predictable and make great aircraft in which to instruct or fly.

Officials from the United States assembly plant in Shelbyville, Tennessee, visited Mt. Vernon Outland Airport in the Spring of 2007, which resulted in Eric Evans Aviation, Ltd. recently being awarded the dealership to offer the Jabiru J170, J230, J250, and J450 Line in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio!

The Jabiru offers new pilots as well as long-time pilots alike an affordable option to enjoy the sky. Jabiru USA.


ProjectResourcesIT, LLC - ProjectResourcesIT, LLC is focused on IT project initiatives which require professional consultants to achieve the desired goals.

ProjectResourcesIT commits to finding the right consultant for the project, reducing clients overall project costs, accelerating clients ROI on their IT Investments, and securing long-term projects for consultants. ProjectResourcesIT.

Sporty's Hot Dog Fly-In

Batavia, OH
Sat, Mar 08, 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.

28th Annual Illinois Ultralight & Light Plane Safety Seminar

Springfield, IL
Sat, Mar 08, 2008 · 8:30am

The Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council (IUAC), the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, and the Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield FSDO, are presenting the 28th Annual IUAC Ultralight/Lightplane Safety Seminar on Saturday, March 8, 2008, in Springfield, IL.

Attendance is FREE. Pre-registration is not required.

The safety seminar will be held in the Harry R. Hanley Building.

The safety seminar will cover a broad range of subjects. There will be ultralight, engine manufacturer, and accessory displays representing UL/sport/recreational type aircraft.

Anyone representing any item of equipment used in this segment of aviation and interested in displaying such item should call Dale Rust, IDOT/Division of Aeronautics at (217) 524-5269 or E-Mail, rustdl@nt.dot.state.il.us or Roy Beisswenger, Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council at (618) 664-9706 or E-Mail, roy@easyflight.com.

FAA Event Information

Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council

Procedures and Protocols for Tower Communications

Carbondale, IL
Mon, Mar 10, 2008 · 7:00pm~9:00pm

This presentation by Lee Doty, an air traffic controller at the Williamson County Airport in Marion, IL, is brought to you by Carbondale's Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 277.

You are encouraged to attend, as Lee always gives an informative and well delivered presentation.

For Sale

1978 Whitesel Sonerai II Project ***MUST SELL***

Benton, IL
Mon, Feb 18, 2008

Owners death forces sale of Sonerai II rebuild project, N66DW, SN 177.

• Many items to help complete include 2 VW engines for parts and acc, instruments, and misc items.
• Project stored at Benton, Illinois (H96).
• Additional pictures on request.
• $4,500 OBO.
• Contact Larry G. Flesner, friend of owner - located Carterville, IL at (618) 201-5958 or (618) 985-2373.
• Listed on Barnstormers ().