Gus McLeod took off from Ushuaia, Argentina Friday morning, determined to cross the South Pole. According to Dr. Barbara Ganson, from Florida Atlantic University, Gus' departure looked terrific from the tower. "From the tower we had direct communication with Gus for about a half hour until he reached his first check in point at the end of the Beagle Canal." However; ice did force him down enroute to the Pole. McLeod made an unplanned landing at Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island after icing up. A spokesman, Josh Brooks, noted that it was "very uncertain" as to whether Gus was going to be able to continue his flight due to an expected blizzard. The Rothera landing came after McLeod made the decision to turn around, enroute, to affect the landing at the station.

Late on Saturday, the memory of Duane cole will be celebrated among the many who loved and respected him. Sunday, he will be laid to rest. Since ANN's announcement of his passing, we have been notified of the founding of a Duane Cole Memorial Fund. Those wishing to contribute are requested to do so in lieu of flowers. The Duane Cole Memorial Fund is located at 731 NW Tarrant, Burleson, TX 76028. The visitation will occur Saturday, February 7, from 7-9 p.m. at the Mountain Valley Funeral Home, 3407 SW Wilshire Blvd., 76097, in Burleson, which the Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, February 8.

Avidyne has done it again. One of the first GA manufacturers to come out of the gate with a certified EFIS application for a production GA airframe has added another aircraft to the list. Diamond's DA40-180 DiamondStar is now certified with Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra integrated flight deck, including Avidyne's new primary engine instrument (EMax) capability. The FlightMax Entegra system for the DiamondStar consists of two 10.4-inch diagonal, high-resolution, sunlight-readable displays; a FlightMax Entegra EXP5000 primary flight display (PFD) with an integrated solid-state air data and attitude/heading reference system (ADAHRS), and the EX5000 multi-function display (MFD).

Bombardier Aerospace has delivered five completed Bombardier Learjet 40 light business jets to operators in North America and Europe. Two Bombardier Learjet 40 aircraft were delivered to U.S.-based traditional operators, two entered service with Bombardier’s Flexjet fractional ownership program, and one aircraft was delivered to a traditional operator based in Germany. All five jets were delivered in January, reported to be the first of a new aircraft type "purposely designed to continue Learjet’s 40-year tradition of leadership in light corporate jets."

Conklin & de Decker has released the 2004 State Tax Guide for General Aviation. The guide comes on a CD ROM covering taxes on general aviation in the fifty United States. The guide shows how sales and use taxes apply to aircraft sales, ownership, leases, parts and labor. Also, common exemptions from the state sales and/or use taxes are explored. Information on aircraft registration fees, personal property taxes, jet fuel and aviation gasoline taxes are included. In addition to tax information contact information for each state's Departments of Revenue and Aviation is provided.

Honeywell has been selected by Boeing to supply two systems to the 7E7 Dreamliner. The two systems are the Navigation (NAV) package, and the Crew Information System/Management System (CIS/MS). Together, the systems represent a potential total program value of $1.5 billion for Honeywell over the life of the 7E7 program. “We are excited about continuing our long relationship with Boeing and being a part of this next generation of passenger jet aircraft,” said Robert D. Johnson, President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace. “

After extensive air and ground testing, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard will begin modernizing their fleets of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft with new avionics. C-130H-2s from AFRC's 908th Airlift Wing, along with C-130E models from the Idaho Air National Guard's 124th Wing in Boise, will lead the Air Force's plan to upgrade the avionics on all C-130 aircraft.

VIP TFR For Springfield NOTAM: 4/0942 Issued: 02/06/2004 20:14 Effective: 02/09/2004 17:30 - 02/09/2004 19:55 State: MO Facility: ZKC - KANSAS CITY (ARTCC),MO. Type: VIP Description: SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, FEBRUARY 9, 2004 LOCAL.

"It was only a matter of time until integrated 'glass cockpits' would make it from jets into GA piston powered aircraft and that time has finally come." Source: Diamond Aircraft's John Gauch, commenting on the certification of the Avidyne Flightmax Entegra for the Diamond Star DA40.