briefs

The future of satellite-based navigation may face its first big test just as we’re getting used to using it. NASA scientists predict a major burst of solar activity in 2010 or 2011, enough to disrupt GPS and wireless data and communications. “The next sunspot cycle will be 30% to 50% stronger than the previous one,” […]

Long thought to be caused by the economically successful but ergonomically disastrous economy-class seating in many airliners, deep vein thrombosis is also brought on by the thin air provided passengers, scientists have discovered. The leaner oxygen content in the 8,000-foot cabin pressure maintained in most airliners caused an increase in the level of thrombin, the […]

After spending millions of dollars in the Alaska Capstone project proving that Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems keep order in the air in the absence of radar, the U.S.-taxpayer-driven project is about to pay dividends — in China. It appears the world’s biggest emerging economic powerhouse is prepared to take a giant technological leap over complex […]

Garmin has introduced the GMX 200, a new multi-function-display it says improves upon its popular MX20 with a bigger, easier-to-read display and better control and function features. The MFD will show every conceivable physical feature and navaid on a high resolution backlit screen that displays vivid colors and contrast in all lighting conditions in views […]

UPS has announce that it will retrofit more than 100 of its Boeing 757 and 767 freighters with Class III electronic flight bags (EFB) that will eliminate (we’ve heard this before) much of the paper in the cockpit. The Boeing-developed EFBs will give pilots instant electronic access to weather and charts and enable data transfer […]

Increasingly fly-by-wire airliners are at greater risk of in-flight fires and crews often do exactly the wrong thing when smoke enters the cabin, according to a report to be released in Athens this week. The report, written by U.S. consultant John Cox, to be presented at the Flight Safety Foundation conference, says that three flights […]

COLUMNS As the Beacon Turns #99: Fuel for ThoughtThere’s nothing like running out of fuel to put your pilot ego in check. Especially when you end up on the evening news because you set it down on an interstate highway. Real courage is when you stand up and tell your story to your fellow pilots, […]

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With Sun ‘n Fun coming up soon, the first year of Special-Light Sport Aircraft manufacturing is about to wrap, and the new industry is making plans to expand. “I’m only guessing here, while we wait for federal N-number registrations to catch up,” says Dan Johnson, EAA’s LSA marketing consultant, in his sport-plane blog, “but I’d […]