Embraer has been granted final type and production certification for the EMBRAER 170 airliner from the Brazilian Centro Tecnico Aerospacial (CTA). A letter of recommendation from the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and issuance of a final type certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will follow shortly. Embraer also expects the newly established European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to issue its type certificate for the EMBRAER 170 early next week. Awarding of final type certification for the EMBRAER 170 paves the way for the first deliveries and allows the aircraft to enter revenue service. Embraer expects deliveries to LOT Polish Airlines, Alitalia and U.S. Airways to begin shortly.

Our good friends at AOPA tell ANN that the State of New Jersey this week signed a deal to buy South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY) in Lumberton. It's part of the state's innovative plan to maintain what it calls the core aviation requirements of the state. "By purchasing development rights or outright buying airports, Gov. James McGreevey and the state division of aeronautics is taking concrete steps to ensure the state has adequate aviation infrastructure," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

Georgia state representatives this week approved a bill (House Bill 886) sponsored by House Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Dist. 118) to ensure that public-use airports remain open. One of Coleman's allies, Rep. Don Wix (D-Dist. 33), contacted AOPA early for guidance in drafting the legislation. The bill would require the sponsor of a public-use airport, whether publicly or privately owned, to maintain the facility in a "safe and serviceable condition to serve aeronautical users" and take no actions that would close or render the airport unusable for 20 years from the date of the most recent financial assistance.

ANN's Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, spent considerable time in Washington, DC, last week on a very active tour of political offices, alphabet associations and government agencies. It was an illuminating week. In coming days, that trip will have a big impact on the structure and direction of a number of stories we've planned for you but a few comments seem proper at the get-go. Here's his first report... First of all; the quality of leadership, of late, in the aviation world has never been quite this good. While the jury is still out on NBAA's new President Shelley Longmuir; leadership and senior staffing (in particular) for organizations like GAMA, NATA, AEA, and AOPA has never been more impressive... or as effective.

The very colorful Brazilian Air Force Demonstration team, the Esquadrilha da Fumaca (The Smoke Squadron), has been involved in a significant training accident. At least two aircraft collided in flight, requiring each flight crew to use ejection seats to avoid further injury. There were four crewmen on board the two aircraft. Major Luiz Francisco Tolosa, Captain Marcio Guimaraes de Oliveira, Captain Jose Marcio de Almeida and Tenente Fabricio Calomeno Axe all egressed the aircraft safely and were examined and released by medical officials.

Enstrom Helicopter has scored yet another performance upgrade for its turbine whirlybird. Enstrom has received FAA certification for a change in the 480B operations limitations that increases the maximum altitude for takeoff and landings at 3,000 pounds gross weight from 2,100 feet density altitude to 10,000 feet density altitude. “Enstrom worked with the FAA to clean up some loose ends from when the certification basis changed from CAR 6 to FAR 27 and eliminate the Takeoff/Landing Gross Weight Limitations from the Rotorcraft Flight Manual,” said William Taylor, director of engineering. This is the latest development in Enstrom’s ongoing product improvement program to enhance its turbine model.

Mooney Speed Freaks have yet another reason to give into their unending lust for speed. Power Flow Systems has announced a $500 reduction in the cost of their STC’d tuned exhaust system for 180 hp Mooneys. The special sale price of $3,990 will last until the end of June. Power Flow claims that their technology substantially increases the evacuation of exhaust gases from the engine’s cylinders resulting in more efficient operation and enhanced performance numbers.

The Liberty XL-2 has apparently received it's long awaited and oft-delayed TC. Liberty announced, late Thursday, that the FAA has been granted a FAR Part 23 TC for the two-place, single-engine Liberty XL2. The company claims that the Liberty XL2 is the first piston-powered aircraft to be certified with a true Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. This milestone comes after lengthy delays and unfulfilled promises as a once-promising aircraft program has encountered a number of problems and difficulties... not the least of which were hefty price increases over the original concept, customer dissatisfaction, a number of incidents involving demo aircraft (mostly simple "fender-benders"), and conflicting stories put forth by a company that has wasted a lot of its early

The DoD has partnered with the FAA to give enlisted mechanics in the military the same credentials as their civilian counterparts. For Sailors and Marines, the Navy and Marine Corps Airframes and Powerplant Program (NMCAPP) has been established at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), to ensure all aviation technicians are given the opportunity to earn the federal agency’s industry standard certification. In the past, military experience was not widely recognized by the FAA, significantly decreasing Sailor and Marine marketability in the civilian sector. “Trying to get a civilian job without an A&P License is similar to trying to gain access to a military base without the proper credentials--almost impossible,” said CNATT NMCAPP Officer, L

Klyde Tries To Get Some Discipline...

The story is just starting to make the rounds, so we can't/shouldn't ignore it... but an aviation legend is undergoing some legal heartache, courtesy of his 3 of his 4 kids. The legendary Chuck Yeager, who has remarried, is undergoing some family problems due to his children's mistrust/dislike of his new spouse. Yeager, 81, married 45 year old Victoria Scott D'Angelo (pictured together, above) last August after having lost his wife Glennis to cancer over 13 years before. Yeager's principal foe in the upcoming legal battle is his daughter, Susan. She has filed a claim over yeager's 1.35 million dollar ranch, charging that Chuck's new spouse is an "undue influence" over him. A trial is scheduled for this May, in a Nevada county Superior Court.

An intriguing briefing paper from Forecast International seems to have some good news for turboshaft powerplant manufacturers. The report told the ANN crew that "rising worldwide demand" for new military helicopters, combined with large-scale U.S. re-engining requirements, will propel an otherwise flat turboshaft engine market to higher levels during the coming decade, according to a Forecast International market analysis. "The Market for Aviation Turboshaft Engines: 2004-2013" points to several key U.S. military programs that will drive production of current-technology turboshaft engines; it also describes emerging military requirements mandating new and more efficient powerplant designs.

While the details are somewhat sketchy, ANN has learned that EASA, the new European Aviation Safety Agency, has approved the power modification request for the SMA SR305-230, Approval No. 2004-163, the maximum continuous power of the SMA's engine is now validated at 230hp. Prior to the approval date the maximum continuous power declared was 200hp with maximum take-off power of 230hp limited to 5 minutes. Today, take-off power and maximum continuous power are equal and without limitations. This modification has no impact on engine architecture and will provide SMA's customers with increased performance...

Two F/A-18 Hornets, being preserved at the NAVAIR Depot North Island Test Line awaiting induction for the Center Barrel Plus Program, will have their 15 minutes of fame later this year. The aircraft will serve as background for a made for television movie scheduled to be aired in late summer or early fall on the Disney Channel. According to Lt. Jose Fikes, with the Navy Office of Information in Los Angeles, the aircraft are providing the background for several scenes in “Tiger Cruise” that was filmed aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) pier side at the North Island naval air station.

Bombardier Aerospace’s Q400, billed as the world’s most advanced turboprop airliner, has departed on a demonstration tour that will parade its capabilities before potential customers in 15 countries. The aircraft will also be showcased in the Bombardier Aerospace static display at the Asian Aerospace 2004 air show at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore from February 23-29. The aircraft has a North American interior configuration with 70 seats at 33-inch pitch. The Bombardier Q400 is normally configured with between 68 and 78 seats, however SAS Commuter of Scandinavia operates a Bombardier Q400 with 58 seats at 35-inch pitch in an all-business class configuration.

HAI tells ANN that after considerable work between their Flight Operations Committee and the FAA’s General Aviation and Commercial Division (AFS-800), the FAA, through a revision in its General Aviation Operations Inspector’s Handbook, FAA Order 8700.1, Change 28, dated December 18, 2003, now authorizes helicopters to conduct COPTER ILS approaches to Decision Heights (DH) below 200 feet at Category II facilities. The change is delineated in Chapter 59 and states, “Copter ILS Approach Approval – Authorizations issued after a successful demonstration of this capability provides the holder the authority to descend to a DH of less than 200 feet with less than 1800 feet visibility, while conducting a Copter ILS approach CAT II ILS procedure.”

The Veep Is Coming to Town NOTAM: 4/1319 Issued: 02/19/2004 21:11 Effective: 02/20/2004 20:55 - 02/20/2004 21:45 State: FL Facility: ZMA - MIAMI (ARTCC), FL. Type: VIP Description: TAMPA, FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 20, 2004 LOCAL.

"[These are] the airports we believe need to be in place to meet forecasted demand over the next 20 years."

Source: Ted Matthews, Executive Director of transportation services for New Jersey's Department of Transportation, discussing the state's purchase (and saving) of the South Jersey Regional Airport.

Executive Jet Management has opened a new Charter Services office at the San Jose Center at the San Jose International Airport to serve the San Francisco bay area. Handling Executive Jet Management's west coast business will be Amanda North who joined EJM as a regional vice president of Charter Services and Beth Stebenne who will be EJM's charter service manager. Both will be based at the San Jose Center.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of France will host the 22nd World Assembly of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), 20-25 April 2004 in Toulouse, France. Topics facing international delegates to the biennial gathering of the World Assembly include air traffic services, airport and airspace access, user fees, security and the business of running their associations. "IAOPA is proof that there is strength in unity," said IAOPA President Phil Boyer. "Together, our 60 organizations present a formidable front for general aviation and aerial work in international forums. The work done at the World Assembly allows us to share information and ideas, and lets us plan for the years ahead."

For Sale: Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Fixed Gear 1977 Cessna Hawk XP 56 SMOH AFTT 1998 191 hrs on prop Exterior Quality: 5, Interior Quality: 7 Used, will sell for $75,000.00