Six Seats and Glass Cockpits = Unique Aircraft Line New Piper Aircraft has selected Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck as optional equipment on four of its models - the Saratoga II HP, the Saratoga II TC, the Piper 6X and the Piper 6XT - making them the only six-place aircraft on the market with this state-of-the-art avionics system.  "Piper remains instrumental in bringing new technology to our customers," said New Piper President and CEO Chuck Suma. "Pilots of these high-performance aircraft expect a lot, and these integrated glass systems deliver. The Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra system simplifies the pilot's workload and provides the tools that allow for more aggressive missions and flight profiles." The FlightMax Entegra system

Aviation Information Resources, Inc. (AIR, Inc.) has acquired A.E.P.S. (Aviation Employee Placement Service), an on-line employment referral service based originally in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and their assets on December 31, 2003. AIR, Inc. purchased A.E.P.S. from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which secured the rights to A.E.P.S. as a result of bankruptcy proceedings against the on-line referral service on early 2003. AIR, Inc. paid ALPA by bartering Airline Pilot Career Development System memberships and seminar/job fair services for the more than 9,700 furloughed ALPA pilots. “One of the many services AIR, Inc. currently offers its members / non-members is an on-line eapplication and job referral service, AIRApps. With more than 14, 000 pilots in our our databa

AOPA has told the FAA it needs to change plans for a new restricted area in order to protect the ability of pilots to use one of Montana's longest backcountry airstrips. Backcountry airstrips are more than just rustic getaways for sightseers - they are working airstrips often used for fire watch or fire fighting flights, as well as land- and wildlife management efforts. The proposed restricted area, (R-4601B), within the Hays Military Operations Area (MOA) would overlie and restrict access to the Cow Creek airstrip. At 2,400', Cow Creek is capable of handling larger aircraft than the typical two-seat tandem bush plane. "AOPA recognizes how crucial backcountry airstrips are for accessing remote areas in Montana and other western states," said Heidi Williams, AOPA manager of ai

SUBJECT: 25 Days and Counting Until the New 145 Takes Effect REFERENCE: 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 145 (Federal Register dated: August 6, 2001 Page 44087) Part 145 Extension (Federal Register dated: September 29, 2003 Page 55819) SUMMARY: The effective date of the final rule amending 14 CFR parts 91, 121, 135, and 145 published on August 6, 2001, at 66 FR 41088 is delayed until January 31, 2004, with the following exception: Sec. 145.163 remains effective April 6, 2005. MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS: A currently certificated repair station must submit their Repair Station Manual and their Quality Control Manual (considered to be revisions of their current IPM) to their Certificate Holding Distri

As rare as these types of incidents have proven to be, one must still include their personal airworthiness in the final decision to commit to flight, to avoid the kind of tragedies that may have caused this loss of a brother aviator. While there is yet no solid info to suggest that this accident had a medical cause, we can't help but caution everyone to make sure that their personal condition is as flight-ready as their aircraft's. Flyer beware...  NTSB Identification: FTW04FA055 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation Accident occurred Saturday, January 03, 2004 in Amarillo, TX Aircraft: Mooney M20C, registration: N6834N Injuries: 1 Fatal.

More Politics, More Restrictions NOTAM: 4/0154 Issued: 01/07/2004 21:44 Effective: Undetermined - Undetermined State: TN Facility: ZTL - ATLANTA (ARTCC),HAMPTON,GA. Type: VIP Description: KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, JANUARY 8, 2004 LOCAL.

Gas Well Blowout Causes Restrictions NOTAM: 4/0149 Issued: 01/07/2004 18:29 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: LA Facility: ZHU - HOUSTON (ARTCC),TX. Type: HAZARDS Description: WESTFIELD, LA.

Politics As Usual... God Help Us, It's "Officially" An Election Year NOTAM: 4/0161 Issued: 01/07/2004 22:29 Effective: 01/08/2004 20:00 - 01/09/2004 00:50 State: FL Facility: ZMA - MIAMI (ARTCC), FL. Type: VIP Description: WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, JANUARY 8, 2004 LOCAL.

NAFI Lauds December's Masters The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of these very special aviation educators. Recently, they were all designated Master Instructors by NAFI, their professional aviation organization. To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 81,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than four hundred of them have earned the Master designation thus far. As a measure of the prestige conferred by this title, the last eight FAA National Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs. In addition, the FAA recently approved the designation as an alternate means for CFIs to renew their flight instructor certificates.