Podcast: Young Eagles for Grown-Ups

Jeff Skiles, known as the first officer for the "Miracle on the Hudson" flight, served as co-chair of EAA's Young Eagles program for a couple of years, and now he's signed on with EAA as vice president of chapters and youth education. He spoke with AVweb's Mary Grady about the new Eagle Flight program for adults, some expanded youth programs in the works, and EAA's global future.

Congress Funds FAA (For A Few More Weeks)

The Senate Thursday followed the House and approved a stop-gap funding measure that will carry the FAA through February 17 at current funding levels. The temporary measure provides funds through airport taxes and precedes another vote on long-term funding which is expected to take place in February. The temporary measure is the 23rd of its kind and it replaces another that was set to expire on January 31. The last long-term FAA reauthorization bill expired in 2007. For two weeks in 2011, Congress failed to provide either temporary or long term authorization for the FAA leading the agency to temporarily furlough thousands of workers and possibly tens of thousands of contractors. Current reports suggest lawmakers are optimistic they can reach an agreement prior to the new February 17 deadline.

Barefoot Bandit: "Anyone Else Would Have Died"

In his court room appearances, Colton Harris-Moore, the late-teen who stole five airplanes as part of a two-year crime spree, appeared to be remorseful, but he saved his self-praise and color commentary for later, according to new reports. Emails Harris-Moore sent from prison were monitored by authorities and detailed in a memorandum filed by federal prosecutors ahead of a hearing scheduled to take place in a Seattle court, Friday, January 27. According to that document, the young man referred to police and the prosecution as "fools" and "swine" among more colorful language. Harris-Moore's attorney argues the clips are representative of isolated emotions cherry-picked from personal correspondence to negatively impact her client. As released, the emails appear to show the young thief had a distinctly more positive opinion of himself and, specifically, of his piloting abilities.

Question of the Week: Weight Gain for LSAs?

The possibility of an increase in the maximum weight for LSAs is being bandied about at the FAA. How much should an LSA weigh?Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers about crosswind landings: Do you crab or slip? Click through to see the breakdown of answers.

UPS Pilots Take On FAA

The Independent Pilots Association, which represents UPS pilots, this week filed a court statement challenging the FAA's decision to exclude cargo operators from new pilot fatigue and rest rules. IPA called the FAA's decision "arbitrary and capricious, lacking in substantial evidence in the record or otherwise not in accordance with law." IPA says the FAA failed to provide an opportunity for affected or interested parties to review and comment on the cost-benefit calculations that drove its decision and ignored essential factors specific to cargo carriers. The court has ordered the FAA to respond.

Carriers Divert For Solar Storm

Delta, Qantas and Air Canada reportedly were among operators that chose to alter routes Tuesday and Wednesday to avoid potential disruptions caused by the most powerful solar storm to hit earth since 2003. Some flights originally scheduled to fly transpolar routes were re-routed south, adding to flight times but reducing the risk of disruption to high-frequency radio communication used along the routes. The storms cause fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, and high frequency radios and other systems are susceptible to the interference. The re-routing was a precaution that not all carriers chose to take.

Electric Aircraft Symposium Set For April

The CAFE Foundation has announced the dates for this year's 6th annual Electric Aircraft Symposium, which will be held April 27 and 28 in Santa Rosa, Calif. The event focuses on practical knowledge and updates for electric aircraft builders. Speakers at the event will include representatives from Pipistrel, the winner of last year's $1.35 million Green Flight Challenge, as well as experts on electric batteries, UAVs, ultra-quiet liftoff technology, and new developments in electric LSAs. CAFE also will announce the details of a new Green Flight Challenge at the event. Online registration is open now.

Video: CTLE Light Sport Police Aircraft

There's a new eye in the sky over Tulsa these days, and it's keeping an eye on things for the local sheriff's office for about 10 percent of the cost of a helicopter. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with Roger Crow of Echo Flight Resources about the Flight Design CTLE law-enforcement platform based on a light sport aircraft.

Isaac: Lancair Canada Rep

Ryan IsaacRyan Isaac is Lancair's new sales rep for western Canada. He owns Aviate Consulting in Toronto.

Hubner to Telvent DTN

Dave HubnerDave Hubner is now a weather services executive at Telvent DTN. He was previously director of products and services at Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

FAA Funding Resolution In Sight

For the 23rd time since 2007, the U.S. House on Tuesday passed a short-term extension to the FAA's funding -- but it appears that a more permanent solution is imminent. Leaders in the House and Senate have reportedly worked out their differences and are ready to agree to a long-term funding plan. This week's extension gives them until Feb. 17 to work out the details. One of the thorniest points of contention, about labor rules, has been settled, with a provision that requires 50 percent of airline employees to favor a union before a union election is called, according to The Hill. The House and Senate also still have to work out the actual funding -- the House wants to approve just $14.8 billion, 15 percent below the Senate's $17.4 billion, for four years of operations, according to Business Week.

Bombardier Numbers Up

Business is picking up for Bombardier, particularly in the business jet sector where it's been ideally positioned for the continuing big jet boom. The Montreal-based company, the world's third-largest aircraft manufacturer, delivered 163 business jets in the 11 months that ended Dec. 31. That compares to 155 delivered in the previous fiscal year and the trend will continue into next year. The company took orders for 249 aircraft (commercial and business) in the 11-month period compared to 201 in the previous fiscal year. "Within this uncertain economic environment, our large business aircraft segment has done extremely well, as seen by our Global business jets family where we have seen continuous growth," Bombardier Aerospace Chief Operating Officer Guy Hachey said in a statement. Bombardier's growth matches industry optimism in other quarters.

Indy Prepares For Super Bowl Fly-In

The business jet fly-in that is also known as the Super Bowl is shaping up to be an even larger display of shiny aluminum after the event in Dallas last year attracted 600 aircraft. According to The Wall Street Journal, jet charter and brokerage companies are touting private aviation as being more weather-resistant and generally a lot more fun than holding your arms up to ensure an even dose of radiation. Perception issues surrounding the less than 1 percent of folks who will actually be able to get to Indianapolis in this way seem to be ignored as FBOs and even airport governing bodies tap into the financial windfall that accompanies the biggest game of the year. It doesn't hurt that teams from the net worth Meccas of New York and Boston are playing this year.

No FAA Bonanza Cable AD

The FAA has decided against issuing an airworthiness directive (AD) like those issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Administration (CASA) last week grounding most Beech Bonanzas, Barons and Debonairs in the country. In a news release on Tuesday, American Bonanza Society President Tom Turner said that instead the FAA will issue a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) that will serve to remind mechanics to inspect the full length of the elevator control cables at annual inspection. CASA ordered immediate inspection of elevator control cables in the entire fleet of Beech aircraft with single-pole control yokes after an elevator cable broke on one airplane and another was found to be severely frayed. ABS says there have been no reports of cable problems among its members and it was particularly concerned about a cable replacement requirement in the CASA AD.

NTSB Reports On Homebuilt Study

The NTSB said this week it has completed the data-collection phase for a study on the safety of Experimental-Amateur Built aircraft. The study aims to "give the innovators and aviators in the community information about accidents that will result in a real and immediate safety payoff for them when they are flying these aircraft," said NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman. NTSB investigators conducted in-depth investigations of 222 E-AB aircraft accidents that occurred during 2011. More than half of the accidents involved E-AB aircraft that were bought used, as opposed to having been built by the current owner, the NTSB said. Sixty-seven people died in 54 of the accidents.

Boneyard Art Exhibit Opens In Tucson

click for photosA new art exhibit that uses discarded airplanes as canvases opens this weekend at Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Ariz., and on Monday curators released more photos of the transformed aircraft. Click here for an AVweb story about the show, click here to go to the museum website, and click here for a gallery of the newly released photos.

Intentional Pucker Factor

Higher-risk training scenarios can pay off a better skill set. You won't have that if you don't practice it.

Tailhook Troublesome For Stealth Fighter

The tailhook might seem like a mature bit of technology for airplanes -- it's been in use for more than 100 years -- but Lockheed Martin is finding it a challenge to get the tailhook to work right on its high-tech F-35C Joint Strike Fighter stealth aircraft. A recent Defense Department report (PDF) about the test program said that during simulated carrier landings at Lakehurst, N.J., last year, the test aircraft "could not engage the arrestment cable. … Resolution of these deficiencies is needed for testing to support F-35C ship trials in late 2013." A Lockheed official, Tom Burbage, told the NavyTimes that a new design for the tailhook is already in the works and will be tested at Lakehurst in the second quarter of this year, with plenty of time to iron out the problem before sea trials begin.

Wings Remastered For DVD

Wings, the classic 1927 film about World War I pilots, is available on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time, as of this week. The film, which won the first-ever Academy Award for "Best Picture," has been "meticulously restored," according to Paramount Home Entertainment. "Featuring groundbreaking aerial dogfights and epic battle sequences, Wings is both a cinematic spectacle and a compelling story of love and sacrifice," says PHE. New techniques were developed to capture a "sense of authenticity" in the dogfight sequences, PHE says. The film was one of the first in which the actors actually flew in real airplanes. For the new release, digital techniques were used to restore the film frame by frame, and the original score has been freshly recorded with a full orchestra. Sound effects were re-created by Skywalker Sound.

Wing-Crack Checks Ordered For A380s

Twenty Airbus A380s must undergo inspections to check for cracks in the rib feet -- metal brackets that attach the wing ribs to the skin -- the European Aviation Safety Agency said in a directive (PDF) published on Friday. Cracks were previously found that originate in the ribs and extend to the skin panel attachment holes, EASA said, and inspectors who were checking for those cracks then found a "new form of rib foot cracking… [that] is more significant." These "Type 2" cracks, if not detected and corrected, "could potentially affect the structural integrity of the aeroplane," EASA said. Results of the inspections must be reported to Airbus. EASA added that it is continuing to investigate the problem, and further mandatory actions might be considered.

Video: Vans RV-12

One of the most popular kitbuilt light sport aircraft is the Vans RV-12. Ken Scott took AVweb through the airplane at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.

Video: Corbi Air Conditioning System

The common wisdom in aviation is that air conditioning is heavy. Corbi Aviation has proven that effective air conditioning can come in a package that's light enough (22-35 pounds, depending on application) to use in light sport aircraft. The system was on display at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.

Short Final

Whitted Ground:"N12345, clear of the active, taxi to the Hangar Restaurant."N12345:"345 cleared to the restaurant via 'Bravo.'"Whitted Ground:"They're featuring five dollar hamburgers today."N12345:"Five dollars? I thought it was a hundred-dollar hamburger!"Whitted Ground:"For you, it's a hundred dollars. For me, it's five dollars."Michael J. McCarthyvia e-mail

FBO of the Week: Bighorn Airways (KSHR, Sheridan, Wyoming)

>>> AVWEB FUEL FINDERCURRENT PRICE FOR 100LL: $5.74 (up 2¢ from last week)CURRENT PRICE FOR JET A: $5.51 (up 3¢ from last week)Fuel prices provided weekly by AirNav, based on prices from the past 2 weeks. Changes are relative to last week's prices. /TEXT_ONLY-->Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bighorn Airways at Sheridan County Airport (KSHR) in Sheridan, Wyoming.AVweb reader Nick Tarasiuk recommended the FBO:We arrived here on January 14, a cold windy night, [and] were guided in and greeted and tied down by Isaiah Bothamley. He pointed out an electrical outlet that we could use to keep our engine warm, then called a shuttle out to pick us up and take us to a nearby Holiday Inn hotel. He let us know that this particular hotel had special rates for Bighorn and got us an incredible rate. In the morning, when we arrived at the FBO, our aircraft had been serviced and was ready to go. All this was done with friendly smiles from everyone. Great job!Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!

Podcast: LSA Earning Respect

The Light Sport sector has been around for seven years and is earning a respected place in the general aviation industry according to Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA). He spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.

Podcast: Medical Waiver Proposal Delayed

The sudden departure of FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has thrown a wrench into EAA and AOPA's proposal for a waiver of medical requirements for those who fly certain aircraft day VFR. AOPA President Craig Fuller spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.

Video: Allegro Comes to the U.S.

Most light sport aircraft are made in Eastern Europe, but there's a slight trend to bring these airplanes to the U.S. for manufacture. One of the companies at the fore of that trend is Allegro. At the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, AVweb talked to the company about its plans.

Podcast: Haim Aviation's Retro LSA

The LSA market doesn't lack for choice, and walking the line at Sebring, one show-goer told us they sort of all look alike. With a few exceptions, that's probably true. But one that definitely doesn't look like the rest is The Sam from Haim Aviation. It's a fast-build E-LSA kit powered by a Rotax that has a funky 1930s retro look, complete with a greenhouse canopy and art deco wheel pants. In this podcast, Haim's Thierry Zibi gave us the rundown on this new project.

FAA Reauthorization Compromised Reached (?)

A compromise on an arcane bit of labor law will likely result in a long-term reauthorization bill approval in the next month or so. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) have struck a deal that will require a public hearing if the National Mediation Board wants to make changes to the Railway Act to make it easier for airline employees to unionize. The Washington Post's explanation is here.

Air Conditioning For LSAs

A Charlotte company has developed a lightweight air conditioning system that could find applications in a broad range of light aircraft. Corbi Air President Ron Corbi said that when he started flying the Alto Light Sport aircraft his company represents, he immediately recognized the need. "I wanted air conditioning and I was told it wasn't available so I decided to find it myself," he told AVweb. The answer came from a Colorado company that put together a 22-pound system that will fit most light sport and experimental aircraft.