Six Seats and Glass Cockpits = Unique Aircraft Line New Piper Aircraft has selected Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck as optional equipment on four of its models - the Saratoga II HP, the Saratoga II TC, the Piper 6X and the Piper 6XT - making them the only six-place aircraft on the market with this state-of-the-art avionics system.  "Piper remains instrumental in bringing new technology to our customers," said New Piper President and CEO Chuck Suma. "Pilots of these high-performance aircraft expect a lot, and these integrated glass systems deliver. The Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra system simplifies the pilot's workload and provides the tools that allow for more aggressive missions and flight profiles." The FlightMax Entegra system

AOPA has told the FAA it needs to change plans for a new restricted area in order to protect the ability of pilots to use one of Montana's longest backcountry airstrips. Backcountry airstrips are more than just rustic getaways for sightseers - they are working airstrips often used for fire watch or fire fighting flights, as well as land- and wildlife management efforts. The proposed restricted area, (R-4601B), within the Hays Military Operations Area (MOA) would overlie and restrict access to the Cow Creek airstrip. At 2,400', Cow Creek is capable of handling larger aircraft than the typical two-seat tandem bush plane. "AOPA recognizes how crucial backcountry airstrips are for accessing remote areas in Montana and other western states," said Heidi Williams, AOPA manager of ai

If You Want the President To Call, It Helps to Send Him Color Pictures... From Mars The people operating NASA's Spirit received a congratulatory call from the President, following their reception of the first color photos from the Mars Spirit Rover. President George W. Bush called the Mars Rover Team (Tuesday) to congratulate them for reconfirming the American spirit of exploration, said Dr. Charles Elachi, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., where the mission is managed. Later in the day, the Spirit team awakened the rover with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of "Hail to the Chief." Color images in a mosaic released today are the highest-resolution pictures ever sent from Mars, more than three times as detailed as i

Aviation Information Resources, Inc. (AIR, Inc.) has acquired A.E.P.S. (Aviation Employee Placement Service), an on-line employment referral service based originally in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and their assets on December 31, 2003. AIR, Inc. purchased A.E.P.S. from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which secured the rights to A.E.P.S. as a result of bankruptcy proceedings against the on-line referral service on early 2003. AIR, Inc. paid ALPA by bartering Airline Pilot Career Development System memberships and seminar/job fair services for the more than 9,700 furloughed ALPA pilots. “One of the many services AIR, Inc. currently offers its members / non-members is an on-line eapplication and job referral service, AIRApps. With more than 14, 000 pilots in our our databa

SUBJECT: 25 Days and Counting Until the New 145 Takes Effect REFERENCE: 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 145 (Federal Register dated: August 6, 2001 Page 44087) Part 145 Extension (Federal Register dated: September 29, 2003 Page 55819) SUMMARY: The effective date of the final rule amending 14 CFR parts 91, 121, 135, and 145 published on August 6, 2001, at 66 FR 41088 is delayed until January 31, 2004, with the following exception: Sec. 145.163 remains effective April 6, 2005. MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS: A currently certificated repair station must submit their Repair Station Manual and their Quality Control Manual (considered to be revisions of their current IPM) to their Certificate Holding Distri

As rare as these types of incidents have proven to be, one must still include their personal airworthiness in the final decision to commit to flight, to avoid the kind of tragedies that may have caused this loss of a brother aviator. While there is yet no solid info to suggest that this accident had a medical cause, we can't help but caution everyone to make sure that their personal condition is as flight-ready as their aircraft's. Flyer beware...  NTSB Identification: FTW04FA055 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation Accident occurred Saturday, January 03, 2004 in Amarillo, TX Aircraft: Mooney M20C, registration: N6834N Injuries: 1 Fatal.

Gas Well Blowout Causes Restrictions NOTAM: 4/0149 Issued: 01/07/2004 18:29 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: LA Facility: ZHU - HOUSTON (ARTCC),TX. Type: HAZARDS Description: WESTFIELD, LA.

More Politics, More Restrictions NOTAM: 4/0154 Issued: 01/07/2004 21:44 Effective: Undetermined - Undetermined State: TN Facility: ZTL - ATLANTA (ARTCC),HAMPTON,GA. Type: VIP Description: KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, JANUARY 8, 2004 LOCAL.

Politics As Usual... God Help Us, It's "Officially" An Election Year NOTAM: 4/0161 Issued: 01/07/2004 22:29 Effective: 01/08/2004 20:00 - 01/09/2004 00:50 State: FL Facility: ZMA - MIAMI (ARTCC), FL. Type: VIP Description: WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, JANUARY 8, 2004 LOCAL.

Teamwork, training and the durability of the C-17 Globemaster III are what got a McChord aircraft safely on the ground after it was attacked by hostile forces over Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, according to the aircrew. The five crewmembers recently recounted what happened during the 10-minutes from when their No. 2 engine exploded shortly after take-off, to when they safely landed the C-17 back at Baghdad IAP. An Air Mobility Command investigation team determined hostile action caused the catastrophic explosion and continues to investigate to determine what exactly struck the aircraft. The mission's aircraft commander said he knew right away they were hit by something. "The impact just shuddered the plane," said Capt. Paul Sonstein, a pilot in the 62nd Airlift Wing h

Boeing has confirmed that Canadian low-fare carrier WestJet has ordered seven new Boeing 737-700s to add to its all-737 fleet. The airplanes, which have a catalog value of about U.S. $360-million, are scheduled for delivery in 2005. WestJet, based in Calgary, Alberta, recently celebrated its 27th consecutive quarter of profitability and has consistently recorded 50-percent annual growth as it expanded its routes across Canada. Founded in 1996, WestJet flew a fleet of 737-200s in its first five years of operation. It began adding Next-Generation 737-700s in 2001. The airline currently operates 44 Boeing 737s, including 26 737-700s.

Lockheed Martin tells ANN that improvements to a promising new laser-based technology have enabled the detection and tracking of aircraft wake vortices, which previously were undetected. As most flyers know, wake vortices are hazardous turbulent airflow disturbances resembling small horizontal tornadoes that are a byproduct of the lift induced by airfoils in flight. If these hazards can be detected and tracked, airplanes will take off and land more safely and airport delays can be reduced. Project SOCRATES -- which stands for Sensors for Characterizing Ring-eddy Atmospheric Turbulence Emanating Sound -- is an applied research and development program that leverages declassified military technology previously used for the acoustic detection of submarines. It aims to

Hard To Believe? Or Are People Just Tired Of Complaining (To Little Effect)? DOT tells us that complaints about airline service filed by consumers with them fell for the fourth consecutive month in November, according to the department’s monthly Air Travel Consumer Report. DOT received 382 complaints in November, 26.4 percent below the total of 519 received in November 2002 and 4.0 percent fewer than the 398 complaints received this past October. The monthly report also includes data on the number and causes of flight delays, as well as information on flight cancellations, reports of mishandled baggage filed with the carriers, and consumer disability and discrimination complaints received by the Aviation Consumer Protection Division.

"This integrated new system addresses safety and value issues... The system will help pilots manage their cockpits to new levels." Source: New Piper's CEO, Chuck Suma, discussing their announcement of the adoption of the Avidyne Entegra EFIS System for all of Piper's six-seat GA piston line... meaning that just about every GA manufacturer now offers an affordable, modern, glass panel alternative for a significant portion of their piston aircraft line. Ain't progress cool?

NAFI Lauds December's Masters The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of these very special aviation educators. Recently, they were all designated Master Instructors by NAFI, their professional aviation organization. To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 81,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than four hundred of them have earned the Master designation thus far. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last eight FAA National Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs. In addition, the FAA recently approved the designation as an alternate means for CFIs to renew their flight instructor certificates.

SPACEHAB has announced the appointment of Brian K. Harrington as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective January 5, 2004. Harrington, a 30-year veteran in corporate financial management, will oversee all of SPACEHAB's financial operations, including corporate finance, accounting, budgeting, regulatory compliance reporting, and investor relations. "We are extremely pleased to have Brian on board," said Michael E. Kearney, SPACEHAB President and Chief Executive Officer. "We view his extensive experience and knowledge as integral to the continued growth of our company as we expand our role in space commerce. I have every confidence that SPACEHAB and our shareholders will be well served with Brian as CFO," Kearney added.

AD NUMBER: 2004-01-10 MANUFACTURER: Eurocopter Deutschland SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2004-01-10 SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK-117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, and C-1 helicopters with a certain tailrotor (TR) transmission or intermediate (INT) gearbox installed. This action requires inspecting the magnetic plug of the TR transmission and INT gearbox for metal particles before the first flightof each day. Replacing an unairworthy TR transmission, INT gearbox, or bearings with airworthy parts is also required within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. This amendment is prompted by a report of production-r

AD NUMBER: 2003-26-14 MANUFACTURER: Fire Extinguishers SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2003-26-14 SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Kidde Aerospace P/N 898052h and-held halon fire extinguishers that are utilized on aircraft. This AD requires you to remove the affected fire extinguishers from service and would prevent you from using them in the future. This AD is the result of information that shows that the discharge time of the affected fire extinguishers exceeds the maximum allowable discharge time.