In Brief

LifeLine Pilots is seeking new volunteers for charitable flying in the Midwest. Look for their booth at the Great Lakes International Aviation Conference in Lansing, Mich., Jan. 20-22, or visit them online… Cessna has signed on with EAA as a major sponsor for Young Eagles, the AirVenture Museum and EAA’s numerous “living history” restoration and […]

The FAA has again delayed, until Aug. 31, 2005, implementation of a rule that would stop air carriers from simply closing off seats in aircraft to allow them to comply with a less-expensive maintenance regime. To meet the nine-or-fewer regs, some operators placard or barricade the extra seats on larger aircraft. The new rule would […]

The Aircraft Electronics Association wants the FAA to delay a regulation change that will define the way Part 145 repair stations do business. The Advisory Circular gives only 30 days for comment and the AEA wants that extended to the normal 90 days… Raytheon CEO James Shuster has been selected to Chair the General Aviation […]

Florida airport operators want the business community to help cover expenses to accommodate traffic for Super Bowl week… FAQs about the coming regulations regarding Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems are available online for AOPA members. Turbine aircraft that carry six or more passengers must comply by the end of March… Boeing has sold off 46 […]

The Pentagon is planning sharp cuts in the F/A-22 Raptor fighter jet program, citing a budget crunch, The New York Times reported yesterday…AOPA’s Win-A-Twin entry deadline is Friday at midnight…Need more Centennial of Flight souvenirs? Get ’em now, First Flight Store closes for good in January.

An American Airlines aircraft effectively closed Richmond International Airport for eight hours on Thursday after the crew tried to pull a U-turn at the intersection of the main runways. The unidentified airplane went off the runway and got stuck in the mud, effectively blocking both runways. It was ultimately freed by a towing company, but […]

The 50-year-old tradition of tracking Santa on radar resumes this year with some high-tech twists. The North American Aerospace Defense Command has set up a Web site that will include real-time tracking of Santas progress plus digital photos… Two people died when their Cessna 182 severed a support line on a 900-foot radio tower in […]

Diamond‘s turbo-diesel TwinStar has received IFR certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency, the company announced yesterday. Deliveries in Europe begin next month… Photo IDs for pilots included in intelligence reform bill signed into law last week… The launch date for Steve Fossett’s GlobalFlyer round-the-world nonstop solo flight has been pushed back from early January […]

Thirteen whooping cranes followed an ultralight to arrive at their winter home in Florida on Sunday. Funding for the program is in question… New methods for predicting cloud formation under development at Georgia Tech… Former Cessna President Charlie Johnson has joined Aviation Technology Group, developer of the two-seater Javelin Jet… Pilots can share rides and […]

The Federal Communications Commission may study allowing cellphone use on airliners. A vote next week among FCC officials will determine whether the issue comes up for discussion. Whether passengers uncomfortable at the thought of sitting next to a cell yeller will get a vote is not known… The owner of a Washington State charter company […]