Aviation Groups Celebrate

Patience is a virtue. Anyone working in aviation governmental affairs will tell you that. The fight to kill TFRs has seen a recent victory, as the FAA officially eliminated two temporary flight restrictions over Valdez, Alaska, which were imposed on Dec. 24, 2003. One was a 25-nm-radius TFR in which pilots were required to contact Juneau Flight Service Station before entering the restricted area. The other was a 1-nm-radius area within the 25-nm TFR, in which no flight was permitted without ATC authorization. Obviously, the alphabet groups smell victory.

AOPA Suggests Changes To AC 

GPS are almost rendered useless, without up-to-date databases. AOPA says it has fought to keep this process as accessible and economical as possible. The FAA will make sure that pilots continue to be allowed to install updated database information in their GPS units. AOPA raised a red flag when a draft advisory circular (AC) appeared to weaken the current policy on pilot installations. The association suggested changes to strengthen the loosely worded AC. The FAA is modifying the AC so it's consistent with existing policy.

Air Journey's Latest Adventure Promises Lots Of Fun

The 8th Annual Bahamas Treasure Hunt is a grown up way to act like a little kid, but with real planes and boats and the lure of exotic exploration amidst more than 700 islands and 2,000-plus cays that dot the Caribbean. Air Journey will lead the way. The trip a spirited adventure that combines the best of camaraderie and friendly competition against a backdrop of what can be described as "severely clear" weather that is a pilot's dream. Participants will gather in Florida for the start of the well organized, yet unregimented group fly-in to the Bahamas scheduled for February 16th to February 21st, 2004.

Have Anyone In Mind?

PAMA’s Awards Program includes recognition for companies, PAMA Chapters and individuals whose recent actions and/or career are exemplary. Please take the time to nominate a hero or heroine you know for one or more of the PAMA Awards. PAMA's 2004 Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon on May 18, 2004, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Luncheon will occur during the 33rd Annual Symposium - PAMA 2004: Elevating Maintenance Professionals to New Heights. The deadline for nominations is March 12, 2004.  Categories include: Award of Excellence, Award of Merit/Award of Special Merit, Chapter of the Year, Company Appreciation, Joe Chase Award, Member Service Award and PAMA/ATP Award. To offer a nomination, please indicate th

Pilot Wants DUI Charges Dropped

The pilot who was forced to land Jan. 15 after nearly colliding with a police helicopter claims in court papers that Montgomery County (PA) prosecutors have no authority to take him to court on drunken driving charges. John V. Salamone, through his lawyer, Joseph P. Green Jr., is arguing that federal law preempts state law in the area of commercial pilot qualifications and capacity to operate aircraft in interstate commerce where there is no death, injury or damage to property. Before the near-mid air with law enforcement aircraft, air traffic controllers notified Philadelphia police that the plane was flying at an extremely low altitude over the runway in restricted airspace without authorization.

Company Goes With The Garmin G1000 All-Glass Flightdeck

In keeping itself competitive with the other GA manufacturers, Mooney Airplane Company has decided to jump into the glass cockpit world. On Tuesday, the manufacturer announced that it will offer the Garmin G1000 all-glass integrated avionics system on the new Ovation2 GX and Bravo GX models beginning in the third quarter of 2004. Steam gauges drivers, have no fear: Mooney will continue to feature the current technology panel as standard on the current Ovation2 DX and Bravo DX models. The "G" in GX stands for "glass panel" and used as a tool to differentiate the variants.