As 2003 comes to a close, one of the most long-awaited new series of rules seems somewhat closer to reality... some YEARS after what was originally promised and hyped by most concerned. SecTrans Mineta has finally signed off on the proposed Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft Rule. From here, it winds its way through the Office of Management and Budget, which is expected to be the final step in the Rulemaking process. OMB is allowed up to 90 days to evaluate the rule and pass judgement -- and it is expected that they will use the full evaluation period before completion. If no other obstacles make themselves known, there is a possibility that the SP/LSA rule may actually come about after April 2004 -- but experience teaches us not to hold our breath. We'll keep you inf

'Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp, Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ. The aircraft were fastened to tiedowns with care, In hopes that come morning, they all would be there. The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots, With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots. I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up, And settled down comfortably, resting my butt...

Due to the scheduling of HELI-EXPO ’04 in March 2004, CFIs who last renewed their certificates at HELI-EXPO in February 2002, are facing the possibility that their certificates might expire on February 29, 2004. According to 14 CFR 61.197(b)(2), CFI certificates expire on the last day of the month two years after they are last renewed. There are no regulatory provisions that provide for either a waiver or a grace period to this date. Taking the only option available to seek relief for the CFI’s thus affected, HAI submitted a petition to the FAA to grant an exemption to Part 61.197(b)(2) by allowing an extension to March 31, 2004. This would allow CFI’s who could be adversely affected to attend the Flight Instructor Refresher Course at HELI-EXPO ’04 in

Time To Speak Up, Folks! The cheerful elves that toil endlessly at ANN look forward to doing a number of special issues each year... though none many be as pivotal as the two that are done on either side of New Year's Day. For the fifth time around, ANN will be presenting a look at 2003, on December 31st... looking at the stories that made the year interesting and remarkable, and January 1st, 2004, we'll look forward.  Let's face it, 2003 was a helluva year... both in terms of the victories that we produced (some surprising ones, to boot) for ourselves, as well as the fights that didn't exactly go our way. We'd hear from YOU as to what you think were the most important stories, people, planes and products of 2003 so that we may properly represent what YOU think mad

In its fifth and final award announcement of 2003, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission named 15 individuals from throughout the United States and Canada as recipients of the Carnegie Medal. The bronze medal is given to persons who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Four of the awardees died in the performance of their heroic acts. One of the awardeees received his honor for the daring rescue of a passenger from a stricken aircraft. Nathan Michael Grube of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, helped to rescue William S. Smith, Jr., from burning, Brunswick, Georgia, September 21, 2002.

Klyde Spreads More Of That Holiday Spirit

Thanks to the permission and the talents of Alan Radecki, we're pleased to share the following photos with you of the most recent test flight of SpaceShip One and the landing problems it encountered. As was previously reported, the White Knight turbojet launch aircraft, flown by test pilot Peter Siebold, carried research rocket plane SpaceShipOne to 48,000 feet near the desert town of California City (CA). At 8:15 a.m. PDT, 12/17/03, White Knight Flight engineer Cory Bird pulled a handle to release SpaceShipOne. The spaceship's test pilot, Brian Binnie then flew it to a stable 0.55 Mach gliding flight conditio

Boeing has confirmed that Korean Air Lines has signed a definitive agreement to purchase nine Boeing 777-200ER (Extended Range) jetliners. This order is worth approximately $1.5 billion. This agreement brings Boeing Commercial Airplanes' 2003 order total to 234 airplanes and doubles KAL's existing fleet of 777-200ER airplanes. Delivery of the airplanes, to be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4090 engines, will begin in 2005. "Korean Air's decision to enhance its fleet with the 777-200ER demonstrates the airline's foresight and leadership in the aviation industry," said Larry Dickenson, senior vice president -- Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The world economy is gaining momentum and, as the travel industry rebounds, passengers want to fly to their destinations in the shortest

The FAA has formally announced that it will conduct a public-private competition to determine the best way to run automated flight service station (AFSS) services. Because FSS services are so important to general aviation pilots, when the agency originally announced plans for the study, AOPA staff successfully argued the association should have the opportunity to participate in the study to ensure that the process accurately reflects the needs of users. Aviation weather services are a critical safety function that must be provided by the government without fees to pilots, and AOPA would vigorously fight any action that would take that responsibility away from the government or 'privatize' FSS functions.

GW Heads Home For The Holidays... NOTAM: 3/2109 Issued: 12/23/2003 17:38 Effective: 12/26/2003 17:05 - 12/26/2003 18:10 State: TX Facility: ZFW - FORT WORTH (ARTCC),TX. Type: VIP Description: WACO, TEXAS, DECEMBER 26, 2003 LOCAL.

Happy New Year! NOTAM: 3/2101 Issued: 12/23/2003 16:51 Effective: 01/01/2004 16:16 - 01/01/2004 21:45 State: CA Facility: ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: PASADENA CA. FOR THE ROSE PARADE

Happy New Year! NOTAM: 3/2100 Issued: 12/23/2003 16:50 Effective: 01/01/2004 14:00 - 01/01/2004 16:15 State: CA Facility: ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: PASADENA CALIFORNIA FOR THE ROSE PARADE

Happy New Year! NOTAM: 3/2102 Issued: 12/23/2003 16:52 Effective: 12/31/2003 21:45 - 12/31/2003 22:30 State: CA Facility: ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: PASADENA, CA, FOR AN AERIAL DEMONSTRATION BY THE USAF WINGS OF BLUE PARACHUTE TEAM

GW Heads Home For The Holidays... NOTAM: 3/2108 Issued: 12/23/2003 17:30 Effective: 12/26/2003 17:30 - 01/04/2004 22:00 State: TX Facility: ZFW - FORT WORTH (ARTCC),TX. Type: VIP Description: CRAWFORD, TEXAS, DECEMBER 26, 2003 - JANUARY 4, 2004 LOCAL.

In celebration of the festive season and to show their appreciation to a community that has been the home of Murphy Aircraft Manufacturing for the past eighteen years, Darryl Murphy and his staff entered a float in the 2003 Chilliwack Christmas Light Parade. Under the theme "Santa's Workshop," Murphy Aircraft employees and their children volunteered their time and effort by working after hours and weekends to build and decorate a float entitled "Santa's Flying Toys Division". With over sixty participants registered in the annual event the Murphy newcomers couldn't imagine nor could they resist bursting with joy as they were presented with both the First Place Award for the commercial category and then Third Place overall.

For the last 20 years, a small, family owned air service and a rural, interdenominational Christian college have teamed together to teach students to fly so that they can make a difference in the world. The small, family owned air service is Harv's Air, located just south of Steinbach, Manitoba. They offer accelerated but very comprehensive courses for all licences and permits from the new Recreational Permit through to the Multi-IFR (Multi Engine Airplanes and Instrument Flight Reference). The College is called Providence College and Seminary and is located just west of Steinbach in Otterburne, Manitoba. They are an accredited, interdenominational, multi-cultural, Christian institution that offers university level degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies, General Arts, S

Oh man, here's some irony for ya. Deicing truck slides into aircraft it is attempting to deice. T'is the season... DESCRIPTION KOREAN AIRLINES KAL FL255, B747 AIRCRAFT, WHILE BEING DEICED, WAS STRUCK BY THE DEICING TRUCK, OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNKNOWN, ANCHORAGE, AK

The NTSB recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration: Require the installation of a crash-protected image recording system on all turbine-powered, nonexperimental, nonrestricted-category aircraft that are manufactured after January 1, 2007, that are not equipped with a flight data recorder, and that are operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 135 and 121 or that are being operated full-time or part-time for commercial or corporate purposes under Part 91. (A-03-62)

He called his position, no room for denial, 'St. Nicholas One, turnin' left onto final.' And what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer! Source: Anonymous aviator's version of "The Night Before Christmas." From all of us here at Aero-News Net, happy holidays and safe flying.

Happy Holidays!

The hard-working and long-suffering gnomes that publish ANN will finally get to take a short holiday break this week [we gnomes thank you --ed]. ANN's normal DAILY news will be presented December 23rd and 24th, and will then be on hiatus on December 25th and 26th. No matter what or when, we'll STILL do our best to keep you updated on anything important, while normal DAILY (weekend) news coverage will resume on December 27th. ANN will present its Annual Year-End Wrap-Up on December 31st through January 2nd. Important news items will still be presented over this period, though the main thrust of our coverage will be a look back at all we've survived in 2003, as well as a look forward at what we might have to deal with in 2004.