As previously reported, Dr Pepper's new 2004 heartland marketing program is sponsoring 11 air shows in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana beginning April 24-25 in Shreveport, La., and ending Nov. 6-7 in San Antonio, Texas. Dr Pepper will be the major soft drink sponsor of all 11 air shows and title sponsor of various components of each air show. Financial terms of the agreement between Dr Pepper and the Leesburg, Va., based International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) were not disclosed.

ATA started it and a whole bunch of air carriers joined in -- a $5.00 increase in the fuel surcharge tacked onto the price of a one-way fare. But three major airlines have decided it just won't fly. So American, United and US Airways have repealed the increase.

It's been a big week for Avidyne. While they've announced that they have completed certification of the FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck on the New Piper Saratoga HP, TC, 6X, & 6XT and on the Lancair Columbia 350; they also note that these aircraft configurations include several significant enhancements to FlightMax Entegra which they've now certified, including Flight Director capability on the EXP5000 PFD, "Primary Engine Instruments" on the PFD with Avidyne's EMax Total Engine Management system, "in-flight restart" and "taxi-during warmup" capability, and Avidyne's light-GA-exclusive portrait-version displays.

Unocal Corporation said Tuesday the remaining two passengers have been recovered by company search crews and have been released to the Galveston County Medical Examiner's office for identification.

It's the sort of reasoning we on Earth can certainly understand. If you want to save money on travel, make fewer trips, right? That's the line of thinking at Russia's cash-strapped space agency, where officials Tuesday announced plans to extend astronauts' stays aboard the International Space Station by six months -- effectively doubling the tour of duty.

Gary Burrell was honored Tuesday during Opening Ceremonies at the 47th Annual Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV, as AEA’s Lifetime Achievement Award-Winner for 2004. Burrell co-founded Garmin Corp. with Dr. Min Kao in October 1989, with a handful of engineers and an idea for a product. Together with Dr. Kao, Burrell has led Garmin from a startup company to an international electronics powerhouse in several markets.

During a packed new product introduction gathering at AEA 2004, Shadin Co., Inc. introduced a new Air Data/Attitude and Heading Reference System (ADAHRS). The ADAHRS is a combined AHRS and airdata system with an add-on Fuel Flow Interfacing Unit housed in the smallest possible package (7.5" L x 3.9" W x 4.3"H). This system is designed for use with any EFIS with ARINC Interface. The unit's fuel flow interfacing is designed to work with most popular fuel flow transmitters.

Company Promises Less Hassle, More Reliability

One could certainly feel the electricity in the air when Securaplane representatives showcased their XL244 Series battery at the popular Product Demonstration session at this year's AEA Convention. Before a crowd of attendees at the posh Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, company officials described the various features its emergency battery offers the aviation community.

Comant Showcases The 2680 Series

Radios are obviously key for flight but they don't do a world of good if their antenna are subpar. Perhaps this is why the folks at Comat are so excited about their latest line of antenna. The company, part of the Chelton Group, showcased its ComDat 2680 Series, which made is new for 2004. Comat officials tell ANN this heavy duty, multi-system antenna is ideal for high performance turbine and larger twin engine aircraft.

Comm and Data System Designed For Business Aircraft

Wingspeed Corporation's XLLink System was unveiled Tuesday at the AEA Convention in Las Vegas. Wingspeed officials say their new low-cost, multi-mode voice and data communications system will provide business and corporate aircraft access to affordable air-ground communications and to an open network of flight information services. XLLInk is all part of Wingspeed's development of the Open Network In The Sky, where customers can integrate the cockpit and the cabin with their existing ground-based applications or select the services they want from the providers they prefer.

AEA 2004: Klyde Does His Thing Every Day For The AEA Annual TradeShow!

One year after they led the biggest combat airdrop since Operation Just Cause in Panama in December 1989, five Airmen from McChord Air Force Base (WA) are the winners of the National Aeronautic Association's Clarence Mackay Trophy for 2003. The award is presented annually for the most meritorious flight of the year and for gallantry, intrepidity, unusual initiative and resourcefulness. It recognizes achievement of outstanding results with unusual presence of mind in either combat or noncombat conditions, officials said.

Billed as The First Truly Affordable EFB System Designed for the Cockpit

navAero unveiled a new and exciting EFB (Electronic flight bag) during proceedings at Tuesday's AEA 2004 Tradeshow. The new tBag C2 EFB, is said to be "a complete cost efficient Electronic Flight Bag system designed to be used during all phases of flight by every aviation segment... general, corporate and commercial." navAero notes that aviation professionals have long recognized the benefits of using portable computers to perform a variety of function that have traditionally been accomplished using paper references.

The PMA8000 provides an audio selector panel for two VHF coms (including our split mode), a cellular telephone interface, an IntelliVox 6-place stereo intercom, dual independent music inputs, and an internal marker beacon receiver with 3-light indicator. "The PMA8000 is the direct result of customer demand." said company Vice President Gary Picou. "Pilots want the performance and benefits afforded by our very popular PMA7000-series, but some new aircraft and retrofit installations used competitor equipment for convenience. The cost of an audio panel rewire can be daunting. So we designed the PMA8000 to be a true plug-and-play replacement for the GARMIN GMA340."

NOTAM:  4/2586  Issued:  03/29/2004 17:18  Effective:  Immediately - Until Further Notice  State:  AZ  Facility:  ZAB - ALBUQUERQUE (ARTCC),NM.  Type:  HAZARDS  Description:  PAYSON, AZ.  FDC 4/2586 ZAB AZ.. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS PAYSON, AZ. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(2) TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT WITHIN A 5 NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS OF 342524N/1112218W THE FLAGSTAFF (FLG) VOR/DME 147 DEGREE RADIAL AT 45.9 NAUTICAL MILES AT AND BELOW 10500 FEET MSL TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS. THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE 505-842-3473/ FREQ 135.675 IS IN CHARGE O

NOTAM:  4/2574  Issued:  03/29/2004 01:50  Effective:  Immediately - Until Further Notice  State:  AZ  Facility:  ZAB - ALBUQUERQUE (ARTCC),NM.  Type:  HAZARDS  Description:  PLEASANT VALLEY, AZ.  FDC 4/2574 ZAB AZ.. FLIGHT RESTRICTION, PLEASANT VALLEY, AZ. EFFECTIVE 0403291400 UTC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(2) TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT WITHIN A 5 NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS OF 335047N/1110038W AND THE WILLIAMS (IWA) VORTAC 031 DEGREE RADIAL AT 045.7 NAUTICAL MILES AT AND BELOW 9500 FEET MSL TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FROM A FOREST FIRE. THE U.S.F.S., PHONE 505-842-3473 IS IN CHARGE ON SCENE EMERGE

"After the loss of the shuttle, Russia lost a part of its extra-budget funds, therefore we are suggesting this option." Source: Sergei Gorbunov, spokesman for Russia's space agency, after Moscow suggested to NASA that astronauts aboard the International Space Station extend their stays from six months to a year. Russia says it just doesn't have the cash to continue rotating the ISS crew every six months while the US space shuttle fleet remains grounded.

Rick Larsen, a 25-year veteran of the aviation industry, has been named Vice President of Marketing for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Larsen will begin his new position April 12, 2004.

Almost six and a half months in space just isn't long enough for Astronaut Michael Foale and Cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri. They're going to have to stay one more day.

The Experimental Aircraft Association and King Schools are combining resources to create four new, comprehensive training courses for flight students and instructors, putting together the knowledge and expertise of the leaders in the sport pilot and aviation training fields.

Orbital Recovery says it's formally initiated the development of its ConeXpress ORS space tug in a program leading to the start of full-scale production this September, and the first launch in 2007.

AD NUMBER: 2004-06-17 MANUFACTURER: BAE Systems SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2004-06-17 SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all BAE Systems(Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections for damage of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings, and corrective action if necessary. This action is necessary to detect and correct damage of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.