NOTAM:  4/3492  Issued:  04/21/2004 19:56  Effective:  04/22/2004 14:40 - 04/22/2004 17:35  State:  ME  Facility:  ZBW - BOSTON (ARTCC),MA.  Type:  VIP  Description:  WELLS, MAINE, APRIL 22, 2004. 

NOTAM:  4/3497  Issued:  04/22/2004 00:26  Effective:  Immediately - Until Further Notice  State:  HI  Facility:  ZHN - HONOLULU (ARTCC),HI.  Type:  HAZARDS  Description:  MILOLII HAWAII.  

Patient Dead, Crew Hurt

A medical helicopter flying a heart patient to a South Indiana hospital crashed Wednesday morning, killing the passenger and injuring the three crew members on board. Medical helicopters from Illinois and Kentucky joined the Indiana Highway Patrol's helo in searching for the wreckage before an injured crew member was able to signal them with his flashlight.

Hostettler Had A Gun

When most mortals try to walk through an airport security checkpoint with a loaded gun in our satchels, we can expect to be detained, closely searched, arrested and tried. But John Hostettler is no mere mortal. He's a Republican congressman from Indiana. As such, he was briefly detained at Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, then allowed to continue on his way.

Agency Hopes That Will Keep Tower Open

The FAA won't let Lake Tahoe Airport (NV) operate the control tower part-time, but it will let the city of South Lake Tahoe raise fees charged to aircraft and limo operators, hoping to avoid a financial crunch that looms June 30th.

AVEMCO recently announced acceptance of the new King Schools Practical Risk Management for Weather course as an approved training course in AVEMCO's Safety Rewards Program.  The course will be available for purchase in early May and was screened by King Schools at their booth during Sun n' Fun last week.

Manufacturers "Upbeat" About Near Future

So you say sales are down? The mortgage is due, the wife is griping and the kids need new shoes? Buck up, bucko. Aircraft manufacturers meeting in Wichita (KS) this week say there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

AOPA Pressing FAA To Drop Charity/Sightseeing Rule

The FAA's proposal to force small sightseeing businesses to meet the requirements for large air tour operators and increase flight-time requirements for pilots who fly charity fund-raisers is neither justified nor supported by safety data and should be withdrawn, AOPA told the agency on Monday.

Two Dead, Two Hurt

Two German Tornadoes collided in the skies over Garding Wednesday, killing the crew of one warplane, while the other was able to eject.

New European Airline Begins Flying Next Month

Ten countries in central Europe are set to join the EU next and that could be just the news WIZZ is looking for. Europe's newest low-cost carrier is set to debut with the idea of serving what until now has been a traditionally underserved market.

If You Want In, Get In Now

The past two EAA AirVenture Oshkosh gatherings set records for the number of exhibitors and 2004 is looking more and more like a continuation of that trend. EAA Convention Headquarters reports reservations for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh are filling up at an even greater pace.

Forecast Firm Says Military Training Is About To Boom

Military fixed-wing trainer deliveries will rise steadily through this decade, according to a market overview issued by Forecast International, and will total 2,238 shipments worth $17.5 billion during the 2004-2013 timeframe. In light of the tactical aircraft re-equipment cycle now under way by many major air arms, the need to address some long-postponed trainer requirements is receiving new impetus.

"Nothing in the original Federal Register notice or the information that has been made available during the comment period indicates that there is a significant safety issue with sightseeing flights." Source: AOPA Legislative Director Andy Cebula, pushing hard against the FAA's proposed new charity/sightseeing rule. More than a dozen members of Congress expressed concerns about the proposed rule's adverse economic impact on the GA community in letters to the FAA. And the Office of Advocacy at the government's own Small Business Administration also found the FAA's economic data seriously flawed and recommended that the NPRM be withdrawn.

British Company Reportedly Interested In Buying Kansas, Oklahoma Boeing Plants

Far away from the prairies of Kansas and Oklahoma, a British company is reportedly considering snapping up Boeing's manufacturing plants in those states. Analysts say the deal would be a $2.5 billion purchase.

Aviation Interests Deluge State Capitol

Oklahoma lawmakers just don't know enough about the state's $12 billion aviation economy. That's what aviation industry leaders in the Sooner State are saying. So swarms of lobbyists flooded the fourth floor of the state capitol Tuesday, hoping to shed a little light on one of the state's driving economic forces.

It's Just So Busy!

Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta Wednesday announced new reductions in United and American Airlines flight schedules aimed at further reducing congestion and passenger inconvenience at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Delegation In US To Study Aviation Regulations

"China faces a formidable challenge in expanding VFR flight," said AOPA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Melissa Bailey. "After spending the day with the delegation, we have a stronger appreciation of the freedoms we have as pilots in the United States. VFR flight in China is very limited, and the CAAC is studying America's robust general aviation community as an example."

After More Than A Year Of Tests

AVCON Industries has received FAA RVSM Group Approval for its Supplemental Type Certificate number ST01195WI.

South Africans Created A "Non-Airport" Environment... At The Airport

If you're an airport-type and you want to know how to do the job right, the IATA suggests you check out the airport in Cape Town, South Africa. The international aviation body says the airport there is the best of its size in the world.

Win-Win Deal?

Dassault Falcon has signed a Maintenance Training Services Agreement with CAE SimuFlite, hoping to improve quality and effectiveness for customers of both companies.

AD NUMBER: 2004-08-13 MANUFACTURER: Burkhart Grob SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2004-08-13 SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG (Grob) Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL sailplanes. This AD requires you to replace the center of gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets with brackets of improved design. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release due to cracked CG release hook attachment brackets. This condition could result