Instrument Failure May Be At Fault The GA world has lost two more of it's brethren as the New Year started off in earnest. A single engine 1975 Bellanca aircraft (described as a "Bianca" by a number of aero-ignorant media-flaks), leaving Addison Airport, near DFW, in IFR conditions (rain and reduced visibility) went down shortly after takeoff, killing both persons on board. The pilot was identified as Dr. David Knowles of Bullard, TX, according to Alex Lemishko, the NTSB IIC. The passenger's identity has not yet been released. Knowles executed an IFR flight plan for the departure, though shortly after the take-off, Knowles told the tower that, "I lost my panel."

The Folks Who Made This Year So.... "Interesting" (Part One, of Four) Each year ANN selects the person(s) who, for good or bad reasons, made the most tangible impact on the aviation world in the past year. Once again, we tackle this task with a mixture of enthusiasm and trepidation. Presented in alphabetical order and in four parts, we present a dozen of the most prominent newsmakers ANN has covered over the past year and why we think so… Phil Boyer and 'Team AOPA' The Crew of Orbiter Columbia, STS-107 Mayor Richard Daley To Be Continued...

British Airways Flight 223 from London to Washington was canceled New Year's Day after the airline said it received "security advice" from the government. The cancelation came just one day after that same flight was held by authorities on the tarmac of Washington Dulles International Airport. All 247 passengers and 17 crewmembers were taken from the cabin in small groups so that they could be questioned about terrorism. All luggage -- carry on and checked -- was manually screened. In all, those on board Wednesday's Flight 223 were delayed about three hours.

The Navy is looking for a new boss for the Blue Angels... and the standards this new CO must meet seem to be pretty heavy-duty... Anyone in ANN-land qualified for the job? The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), Rear Adm. George Mayer, announced that applications for the position of Commanding Officer (CO) of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (NAVFLIGHTDEMRON... a/k/a 'The Blue Angels) are now being accepted and should be received no later than March 19.

By10:30 on your average morning (in fact, every day but Christmas day) the outside line will have worked it’s way through security, and the steady stream of 10,000 people per day will make their way into the huge Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Museum at Washington Dulles International Airport (VA). It is sensory overload. No matter how many other museums you’ve been to, no matter what you fly, or how cool you are, you go back to being a ten-year old for a short while, as you take it all in. The colors and shapes and aircraft that defined the last century, and define what we fly today leap out from the exhibits, making you feel like you're on an epic journey through time. My childhood heroes flew these birds into combat. Now, they fly at airshows I attend, and write about.

"Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive energy that beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared planet. Love to all, Laurel " Source: STS-107 Astronaut, Laurel Clark, in a lovely January 2003 e-mail from the flight deck of NASA Orbiter Columbia, just days before she lost her life in the destruction of the vehicle during re-entry. Clark and her crew-mates were recognized by ANN as some of the major News-Makers of 2003... an honor we wish we could have bestowed on them without their tragic loss.

For Sale: Thorp T-18 TTAF & SMOH: 748. 100 STOH. First Flown in 1989. Full IFR Panel. Dual Comm, Slick Mags, Sky-Tec Starter... much much more. Exterior Quality: 8, Interior Quality: 8 New, will sell for $28,500.00

The Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission has presented Dr. Guy Baldwin of Tulsa (OK) with the Oklahoma Aviator of the Year award. The December event at the Oklahoma City Wiley Post Airport was a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of controlled powered flight. This was also the fortieth anniversary of the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission. Governor Brad Henry recognized aviation heroes such as Wiley Post, astronaut Tom Stafford, and Ray Siegfried for Nordam's contributions. Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin presented three proclamations to contributors of aviation. The Aviator of the Year Award was presented to Baldwin by Mike Huffman, Editor of The Oklahoma Aviator in recognition of his past and continued contribution to the enthusiasm, education, participation, the medical aspects of