This Could Be the BIG Hit At Oshkosh 2004!

One of the most breathlessly awaited new airplanes to visit North America in YEARS has arrived. Diamond's exciting new DA42 Twin Star has arrived at the London Ontario factory on its way to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for its North American debut at EAA AirVenture. The Twin Star left Diamond's Wiener Neustadt factory on Tuesday July 20th and arrived in London, Ontario, Thursday evening.

The US House Committee on Appropriations has approved legislation that, in part, supports reimbursing general aviation businesses at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and surrounding general aviation airports for economic losses incurred as a result of security restrictions imposed following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Government of Canada has announced the selection of the Sikorsky Aircraft-led Maritime Helicopter Team to replace Sea King helicopters currently in service with the Canadian Forces.

Thoughts for the Morning After, Part II

In Part I of this series, I talked about some of the gotchas and Catch-22's in the new Sport Pilot final rule. In this installment of the series, I'll talk about the Sport Pilot license and the Light Sport Aircraft category that it creates.

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION TFR NOTAM:  4/7295  Issued:  07/22/2004 14:36  Effective:  07/26/2004 11:00 - 07/30/2004 06:00  State:  MA  Facility:  ZBW - BOSTON (ARTCC),MA.  Type:  VIP  Description:  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, JULY 26, 2004 THROUGH JULY 30, 2004.

Bell Sells 26 Twin-Engine Helos to Pakistan

In a deal valued at over $230 million, Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, is delivering 26 Bell 412EP medium twin-engine helicopters and associated equipment to Pakistan. Bell, which delivered 9 of the aircraft to Pakistan last month, will deliver the rest over the next ten months.

Beechcraft President Randy Groom will be flying in the second row of this year’s Bonanzas to Oshkosh (B2OSH) formation flight. Groom, an active pilot with more than 9,000 hours and who owns and flies a 1984 Bonanza A36, will be flying in a factory-new Bonanza A36. In the right seat will be Mike Elsenrath, senior demo pilot for Bonanza/Baron, and who participated in last year’s B2OSH.

ANN Announces The First Of Our 2004 AirVenture Special Coverage Major Sponsors: Cirrus Design

Ok... we've already told you how cool this year's coverage is going to be and how hard we've been working... but we did we mention (enough) just how expensive it is to support nearly a dozen people, cart them halfway across the country, and then make sure that they're fed and watered on a somewhat regular basis? The first of our MAJOR sponsors is one of the best friends ANN has... Cirrus Design. 

Dedicated Terrain Display Makes Terrain Situational Awareness More Affordable

Aspen Avionics LLC has announced the formal launch of the innovative AT300 Terrain Awareness Display for the experimental/homebuilt aircraft market. The AT300 combines a vertical speed instrument with a moving map display showing aircraft position and nearby terrain, helping to increase pilot situational awareness and reduce the risk of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).

NASA is getting ready to open a new state-of-the-art laboratory for cutting-edge research into advanced propulsion systems -- technologies that one day could power space vehicles to Mars, to Jupiter or to destinations never before imagined. The July 29 ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opens NASA's Propulsion Research Laboratory for business.

"It is the sense of congress that, after proper documentation, justification, and review, the department of transportation should consider programs to reimburse general aviation ground support services at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and airports located within fifteen miles of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, for their financial losses due to Government actions after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001." Source: Partial language of legislation approved by US House Committee on Appropriations that, in part, supports reimbursing general aviation businesses at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and surrounding general aviation airports for economic loss

NOTAM:  4/7336  Issued:  07/23/2004 13:14  Effective:  07/26/2004 18:10 - 07/26/2004 20:40  State:  WA  Facility:  ZSE - SEATTLE (ARTCC),AUBURN,WA.  Type:  VIP  Description:  KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON, JULY 26, 2004.

NOTAM:  4/7351  Issued:  07/23/2004 17:24  Effective:  Immediately - Until Further Notice  State:  AK  Facility:  ZAN - ANCHORAGE (ARTCC),AK.  Type:  HAZARDS  Description:  VENETIE, ALASKA.

NOTAM:  4/7333  Issued:  07/23/2004 06:40  Effective:  Immediately - Until Further Notice  State:  CA  Facility:  ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA.  Type:  HAZARDS  Description:  HEMET, CA.

NOTAM:  4/7328  Issued:  07/23/2004 00:54  Effective:  Immediately - Until Further Notice  State:  WA  Facility:  ZSE - SEATTLE (ARTCC),AUBURN,WA.  Type:  HAZARDS  Description:  LEAVENWORTH, WA.