ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 12.28.10 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 12.28.10 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature: 2010 in Review - DOT Stranding Rule - 12.28.10 (ANN Special Report, with Kate Hanni)

Navy Cites Poor Decision-Making On The Part Of Aircraft Commanders

The command investigation into the inadvertent water landings at Lake Tahoe in September 2010 of two helicopters assigned to Maritime Strike Helicopter Squadron (HSM) 41 was completed Dec. 20. The investigation found that the mishap was entirely preventable.

MT-Propeller MTV-27 5-blade Propeller Approved For Metro III And Merlin IVC Commuter Airliners

The FAA has granted an STC to MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH for installation of its next generation 5-blade scimitar composite propeller MTV-27-1-E-C-F-R(G)/CFRL250-103 on Fairchild Metro III and Merlin IVC aircraft with engines TPE331-11U-601G, -611G, TPE331-11U-602G, -612G.

Aircraft Could Be Out Of Service For As Long As Six Months

Two Afghan Air Force Mi-17s transport helicopters and one Mi-35 attack helicopter were loaded on an An-124 transport aircraft by contractors on Sunday.

Will Deliver Three To Various U.S. Air Force Bases

It may be the week of Christmas, but some businesses are moving along as normal. The Boeing Company said Wednesday that has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to deliver C-17 training devices to three sites.

Claims Through Lawyers That The Airplane Carried Too Much Fuel

A teenage girl in California who was seriously injured in an accident at Trukee Tahoe Airport in September 2009 is suing the pilots of the airplane, claiming through a lawyer that it carried too much fuel for the conditions at the airport.

Fund Will Administer A $1 Million Educational Program

NASA has selected the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corp. of Falls Church, VA, to administer a $1 million career development and educational program designed to address the critical shortage of U.S. minority students in science and engineering fields.

FlightPrep Assault On Online Flight Planners Continues To Draw Negative Response From GA

Someday, someone is going to write down a list of some of the most foolish decisions in the history of General Aviation... and if/when that list is compiled, ANN will not be too surprised to see the FlightPrep patent suits among the leaders. Industry and community response to the threats of legal action over alleged IP infringement of the FlightPrep patent has been swift and fairly uniform... and flyers pretty much do not like it. One of the first (but not only) victims of the FlightPrep legal assault was RunwayFinder.com...

Concorde Battery's Skip Koss Discusses System Safety

As a battery and electrical systems expert, Skip Koss has seen it all when it comes to the power that keeps today’s aircraft in the sky. Recently, however, Koss has grown concerned over the increase in aircraft that apparently consume power even when all systems appear to be off.

Experienced LSA Manufacturer Introduces All-New Metal Aircraft

At the 2010 Sport Aviation Expo, Flight Design introduced enthusiastic media and dealer network partners to the all-new Flight Design MC. Created using aluminum, steel, and composites, the MC aircraft is one of the first LSA all-metal models to hit the market. Designed specifically with the light sport pilot in mind, engineers used state-of-the-art programs to create a rugged, yet comfortable aircraft for both private owners and flight schools.

2200 Foot Grass Strip Underway

ANN has received an update assuring us that construction continues at a robust pace at Austin Executive Airport (KEDC), Texas' newest, privately funded general aviation airport. As the airport moves toward opening in spring 2011, the dirt work is complete for a 2,200-foot grass runway to accommodate even more general aviation aircraft, creating new construction jobs in Eastern Travis County.

Sad Day For GA As A PA-28 Gets Used To Protest IRS

It was not a good day for those who love and/or know the value of general aviation -- or for the rest of the nation, for that matter. Still, it was matter of time before an airplane was used this way by someone so unbalanced. After decades of other threats involving trucks and boats and all matter of other transport, a small GA bird (under the control of a disturbed man by the name of Joseph Stack) was used in an act of violence...

NFlightCam Crew Is Off On A Caribbean Expedition

While most of us are still trying to digest leftovers, a good friend of ANN is off on a serious adventure. Patrick Carter and the rest of the www.AdventurePilots.com crew departed KMFE on an adventure through the Caribbean in a Cessna 180.

C-17 Serves As A Bridge, Navigates Unpredictable WX In Antarctica

An Air Force Reserve C-17 Globemaster III from the 728th Airlift Squadron out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash., is supporting Operation Deep Freeze by serving as a bridge for cargo and personnel moving between Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Air Station, Antarctica. The C-17 and its aircrew perform three to four round trips per week between the two locations.

The CBP has announced that the Global Entry trusted traveler pilot program has reached the 100,000 member milestone. Global Entry is a voluntary pilot program that streamlines the international arrivals process for pre-approved travelers through use of self service kiosks located at 20 major U.S. airports.

"I’ve thought through a few options on how to handle donations for defending RunwayFinder against the FlightPrep lawsuit. Considering the time and complication of setting up an independent trust, I’ve decided to keep the donation process simple for now. I pledge to you that every penny will go toward patent research, attorneys fees, court fees, and other costs directly related to defending RunwayFinder. I will forward any funds remaining to the next company that FlightPrep goes after. If the issue dies out, I will pass the money to another general aviation defense fund project. This seems like the fairest way to make use of your donations. I appreciate any amount you can give."  Source: RunwayFinder's Dave Parsons, announci

An aeronautical vehicle operated for sport or recreational purposes which does not require FAA registration, an airworthiness certificate, nor pilot certification.

Will To Fly ... A Skydiving Blog

Written by an avid skydiver with over 1200 jumps, it's a fascinating insight into the thoughts and plummets of a veteran jumper.