briefs

When you’re flying, it’s always nice to see where you’regoing, especially if you’re flying in Alaska. And now you can do it from thecomfort of your computer room. The FAA has just completed the installation of90 web cameras on key aviation routes throughout the state. When you log ontothe site, you get a real-time image […]

Well, it seems the solution to fuel freezing problems inhigh altitude aircraft was in our jeans. Scientists at the University of Daytonhave discovered they can significantly lower the freezing temperatures of jetfuel by treating it with urea, the main ingredient of urine. It seems a littlesquirt in the gas settles out paraffin compounds left over […]

Manufacturers who think they can talk customers intoaccepting a new airplane with a used engine are invited to have a look at this advisory circular. And maybe let us know who these customers are. There’s thisbridge…The FAA has finalized an AD for Moravan (Zlin) models Z-143Land Z-242L calling for modifications to the engine secondary vent. […]

Well, no one ever accused the FAA of rushing into things.The FAA has accepted the Internet as a valid source of information for pilotsto obtain weather and NOTAMs, but only from qualified Web sites. Vendors may becomea Qualified Internet Communication Provider (QICP) by following the stepsoutlined in the FAAs Internet Communication AdvisoryCircular. The new FAANational […]

Local politicians and townspeople are working together toraise money to create a fitting home/museum in the town of Middlesboro, Ky.,for the restored P-38F known as Glacier Girl. Ten years ago, the aircraft waspulled from more than 200 feet of Greenland glacier by a team headed (andbankrolled) by J. Roy Shoffner. It had rested there since […]

The crash of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstones airplane isreason enough the FAA should require cockpit voice and data recorders beinstalled in smaller commercial aircraft, according to U.S. RepresentativeJames Oberstar (D-Minn.). Oberstar, the ranking member of the House Transportation andInfrastructure Committee, told the Associated Press aircraft owners won’t spendthe money to install safety equipment if it […]

A Cirrus SR20 crashed November 3 on relatively flat terrainin a wildlife refuge near Las Vegas, N.M., killing Ralph Steenson, theaircraft’s non-instrument-rated private pilot and sole occupant. Local METAR observations reported a 500-footceiling, and initial police teletype reports noted heavy fog and mist at thecrash site. There were no witnesses. Lt. Tom Meserve, state police, […]

Airbus is just about to knock Boeing out of the top spot asthe worlds number-one commercial aircraft manufacturer. Now, the European-basedcompany wants a piece of the U.S. defense market. It wont be an easy sell butAirbus is trying to make a case that competition will drive down the cost ofmanufacturing aircraft. “Havingcompetition, which ensures that […]

Weak demand for aircraft has prompted Dassault to cutproduction of its Falcon business jets for next year. The company currently hasa backlog of 159 aircraft, according to Dassault Chairman/CEO CharlesEdelstenne. The current rate of deliveries will continue until mid-2003, and thenproduction will be cut to five aircraft per month, down from the current rateof six […]

Someone really had their thinking cap on when they came upwith this one. The federally mandated luggage-screening systems must be inoperation by December 31 – just in time for the busy New Years travel period.Airport officials are predicting security delays of up to six hours as hordesof pax try to navigate the new systems. In […]