Departments
Inside AOPA 
On Capitol Hill 
Airport Support Network
ASF News
Quiz Me! 
2001 Bonanza
Sweepstakes 
ePilot Calendar 
Weekend Weather
| GA News
| A NEW HORIZON DAWNS AT RAYTHEON
 For the second time in a month, Raytheon Aircraft unveiled a major development in its turbine fleet. Last month it was the long-awaited receipt of the Premier I type certificate. On Tuesday, the company rolled out the Hawker Horizon, the new super-midsize business jet. Like the Premier I, the Horizon is an all-new airplane, incorporating a composite fuselage riding on an aluminum wing. The $16.8 million Horizon was announced in November 1996 and was originally scheduled to be certified this spring, but was delayed while the company focused on the Premier I. First flight is now scheduled for this summer, with certification and deliveries in 2003. The Horizon is overall 30 percent larger than the mid-size Hawker 800XP currently in production and it flies 30 percent farther. With the increased range, the Horizon gains intercontinental status. For more, see the Web site.
CAP FINDS CIRRUS SR20 WRECKAGE
Cirrus Design Corporation has sent a factory representative to aid in the investigation of a fatal crash on April 10 near Tucson, Arizona, of a Cirrus SR20 aircraft carrying three Wisconsin men. It was the first fatal crash of a delivered customer SR20. Killed in the accident were the owner and pilot of the aircraft, 54-year-old Douglas M. Koehler of Mequon, Wisconsin; his brother; and his 17-year-old nephew. The wreckage was found April 14 at an elevation of 5,200 feet on the side of a 7,000-foot mountain, 32 miles southeast of Tucson, sources said. Weather may have been a factor. The aircraft, N116CD, was the eleventh SR20 delivered. The wreckage was located by the Civil Air Patrol, which had alerted all search units along the route of flight.
ROBINSON DOMINATES HELICOPTER SALES
Robinson Helicopter Company's share of the North American civil helicopter market has almost doubled over the past five years. It now represents more than 61 percent of the market share with 390 new aircraft delivered in 2000, according to the latest figures released by the Aerospace Industries Association. The bulk of Robinson's increase came from sales of the four-seat R44. For more, see the Web site.
AVIAT IMPROVES HUSKY
Aviat Aircraft has introduced several new options for pilots who take delivery of Husky A-1Bs this year. In addition to four new paint schemes, an access door for the aft storage compartment is available on the right side of the aircraft, the rear seat can be folded or removed to increase cargo space, the instrument panel has been redesigned to accept the Garmin GNS 530, and the airplane can be ordered with the landing light embedded in the leading edge of the right wing. For more, see the Web site.
BE A PILOT RAISES PRICE, PLANS COMMERCIAL BLITZ
The price stated on the Be A Pilot introductory flight certificate has been increased from $35 to $49 in response to flight schools' concerns about increasing fuel, insurance, and other costs. Be A Pilot hopes to hold the price steady for several years rather than showing the public a constantly increasing price. The certificate is good at 1,600 flight schools nationwide. The price change was publicized nationally this week with the debut of new TV commercials. The $1 million advertising campaign will air spots on 10 cable networks through September. Be A Pilot will soon be posting the TV schedule on its Web site. For more, see the Web site.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online. |
Inside AOPA
| AOPA QUESTIONS NTSB SAFETY MEASURES
AOPA sent a letter to acting NTSB chairman Carol Carmody questioning the scope of three safety recommendations issued by the NTSB earlier this week. The recommendations, intended to detect corrosion, cracking, and failure of stainless steel control cable attach fittings, apply to Piper Cherokees, Seminoles, and Cessna 172s that are more than 15 years old. The NTSB recommended that the FAA issue an AD mandating repetitive inspections for, and replacement of, corroded fittings. The board also recommended that the FAA expand the AD to all airplanes utilizing the same control cable attach fittings. AOPA expressed serious concern over the possible issuance of an AD, as control cable inspections are already a part of routine annual and 100-hour inspections. AOPA also questioned the need to expand the AD, as data indicate that the problem is isolated to specific airframe applications. AOPA stated a strong desire to work with the FAA, aircraft type clubs, and owners and operators of affected airplanes to find the best remedy. See AOPA Online.
EXPERTS ENDORSE WAAS, EXPECT APPROACHES BY 2003
Pilots will be able to make ILS-like instrument approaches using GPS by the end of 2003, the FAA said last week. The agency set a new schedule for commissioning the GPS Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) after releasing a report from independent satellite navigation experts. "While we're disappointed that the WAAS schedule has slipped a year, AOPA has always understood that this new and highly complex technology would be difficult to implement," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. The independent review board concluded that WAAS will work better than the FAA had estimated, and said the program is critical to aviation as well as other GPS users. Initial LNAV/VNAV capability will allow vertically guided approaches to decision heights of 400 feet and one mile's visibility at most GA airports, without additional lighting systems or other expensive airport improvements.
FAA ISSUES JANAERO HEATER AD
The FAA has issued an amended AD that applies to certain JanAero Devices 14D11 and 23D04 series fuel regulator and shutoff valves used with JanAero combustion heaters. The AD requires a visual inspection and pressure test along with the replacement of parts if there are leaks. AD 2001-08-01 is intended to prevent fire from possible fuel leakage. See AOPA Online.
AOPA FLY-IN PROCEDURES NOW AVAILABLE
Procedures for pilots of the expected 700 aircraft arriving for AOPA's eleventh annual Fly-In and Open House on June 2 are now available on AOPA Online. The event at the Frederick, Maryland, Municipal Airport will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more than 100 exhibitors, a dozen aviation seminars, and appearances by noted aviation humorist Rod Machado. A temporary FAA control tower will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more, see AOPA Online.
Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
| On Capitol Hill
| AOPA URGES BUSH TO PROTECT BACKCOUNTRY STRIPS
AOPA is urging the Bush administration to reverse course and protect backcountry airstrips. That comes in response to the administration's FAA budget proposal that would delete an AOPA-supported provision prohibiting the use of federal funds to close backcountry airstrips. AOPA is "interested in the preservation of existing backcountry landing strips as a matter of safety," AOPA President Phil Boyer wrote to Secretary of Interior Gale Norton and Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman. Boyer reiterated that through the years federal land management agents have closed airstrips without prior notification or input from the states or pilots. "This type of situation represents a grave danger to pilots who fly over mountainous terrain and depend upon airstrips for emergency landings." AOPA also asked the secretaries for their support of Sen. Mike Crapo's (R-Idaho) and Rep. Butch Otter's (R-Idaho) reintroduced Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act. Environmentalists quoted in a recent "Congressional Quarterly" article labeled the bills as "excessive," and stated that the bills legitimize "landing in a dry lake bed." AOPA will continue its fight on this issue. See AOPA Online.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK–BILL PETERS
In 1999, Airport Support Network volunteer Bill Peters started his well-intentioned but unsuccessful rally to keep Baltimore Airpark (1W2) open. The owner, who could no longer turn a profit, decided to sell it to a developer who will build nearly 150 homes on the land. Peters and fellow pilots attended numerous meetings to voice their concerns and ideas to help save the airport. The hangars and equipment will be auctioned and the flight school has left. Operations will likely cease in June. ASN commends Peters and his fellow pilots for trying everything possible to save the airport. We lose two airports a month in the United States. What are you doing to protect your airport from noncompatible development?
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA Online. | AOPA Air Safety Foundation News
| KATZ WINS TRANSCEIVER PRIZE
Howard Katz of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the winner of a Sporty's handheld transceiver after attending an AOPA Air Safety Foundation seminar. Katz attended the "GPS for VFR Operations" seminar in January. This seminar educates pilots of all skill levels on the use of GPS navigation in VFR flight. For the seminar schedule, see AOPA Online.
STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR ASF SCHOLARSHIPS
ExxonMobil Lubricants and Petroleum Specialties and the Koch Corporation are offering scholarships for mechanics and people in other aviation fields. The application deadline is July 31. For complete information and applications on scholarships administered by ASF, see AOPA Online.
| Quiz Me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: My medical was deferred to the FAA in Oklahoma City. By the time I received it, I had lost three months. Why wasn't it dated from the date of issuance?
Answer: FAR 61.23 discusses the requirements for and duration of medical certificates. It states that the effective duration of the medical begins with the date of examination, not the date of issuance. Some conditions that you report on the medical application may require more information before your aviation medical examiner can issue the certificate. If you've experienced any change in medical status since your last FAA physical, including a new medication prescription, medical treatment, or hospitalization, a visit to AOPA Online or a call to the Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA) may save you from being grounded for months while the FAA decides if you're medically qualified.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? Call 800/872-2672 or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].
| AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza Update
|  ICE WON'T SLOW SWEEPS BONANZA
A TKS ice-protection system from Aerospace Systems and Technologies, Inc. will combine technologies both old and new to keep frozen contaminants off of the 2001 AOPA Sweepstakes Bonanza's wings, propeller, and windshield. To learn more about how this system works, see AOPA Online.
| What's New At AOPA Online
| Wondering what's going on at the state level as far as legislation that affects general aviation? See AOPA Online.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Scottsdale, Arizona. The annual Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association convention will take place April 25 through 28 at the Scottsdale Marriott. Call 520/299-7489 for event information.
Dallas, Texas. The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) International Convention takes place at the Hyatt Regency Reunion April 26 through 28. Call 816/373-6565 for event information.
Atlanta, Georgia. Air Care Alliance presents its annual conference, Air Care 2001, at the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) April 28, hosted by Angel Flight of Georgia. Visit the Web site for event information.
Nashua, New Hampshire. The New England Aviation Expo, featuring a keynote address by AOPA President Phil Boyer, takes place at Daniel Webster College April 28. Call 603/879-6644 for event information.
Galveston, Texas. The Spirit of Flight Airshow and Aircraft Walkabout takes place April 28 and 29 at Scholes International Airport (GLS). Call 409/740-7722 for event information.
Norfold, Virginia. The International Azalea Festival Airshow takes place April 28 and 29 at Norfolk International Airport (ORF). Call 757/444-4377 for event information, or visit the Web site.
Nacogdoches, Texas. The East Texas Air Show and Military Appreciation Days take place April 28 and 29 at A.L. Mangham Regional Airport (OCH). Call 888/564-7351 for event information.
Vidalia, Georgia. The Vidalia Onion Festival Airshow takes place April 28 through 30 at Vidalia Municipal Airport (VDI). Call 912/538-7000 for event information.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see Aviation Calendar of Events
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Atlanta; Cincinnati; and Reston, Virginia, April 28 and 29. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place April 29 in Atlanta. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
For comments on calendar items or to make submissions, contact Julie S. Walker at [email protected].
|
Contacting ePilot
Got news tips? Contact ePilot editor Nathan A. Ferguson at [email protected]. Having difficulty using this service? Visit the ePilot Frequently Asked Questions now at AOPA Online or write to [email protected]. Changing your mailing or e-mail addresses? Click here to update.
To SUBSCRIBE: visit http://www.aopa.org/members/epilot.html. AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701 • Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or 301/695-2000
Copyright � 2001. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
| Sponsors
        
|
