Steve Fossett continues to plan another record assault and fellow record-setter Richard Branson is backing him up... Branson's Virgin Atlantic has unveiled the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer aircraft in the Mojave Desert, California, the home of aviation record-setting for over half a century. This somewhat aircraft (which bears some intersting similarities to the original Voyager) will be piloted by Steve Fossett later this year in his attempt to break the last great aviation record by attempting the first solo non-stop flight around the world. The pioneering aircraft - the world's most efficient jet plane - has been designed by aviation legend Burt Rutan. The unveiling is the latest milestone following years of design and construction and also marks the beginning of an excitin

Some Background Data On The Virgin Atlantic Globalflyer The record attempt is the first solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world in an aircraft, meeting the criteria of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). Steve Fossett is the pilot, with Richard Branson reserve pilot. The attempt will take place in 2004, either around April or from October onwards depending on the favourability of the jet streams and the flight-testing of the aircraft from January to March 2004. The route will be planned around a take off from a central United States location. The aircraft will follow the jet stream across the Atlantic to the UK. From there the aircraft will route south to the Mediterranean and then route through the Gulf to P

A problem with the software for Garmin's GTX 330 and GTX 330D Mode S transponders has prompted the FAA to propose an airworthiness directive (AD) to fix the problem. But Garmin has told AOPA that it has already sent updated software to fix the problem to all Garmin Aviation Service Centers. Without Garmin's recently released software 3.03, the Mode S transponders may not reply to Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) interrogations from other airborne traffic detection systems. That could cause the "safety net" of TCAS/Transponder operations to fail, thereby increasing the risk of a possible close call or mid air collision. Garmin issued a Safety Bulletin in mid-2003, and has since shipped the upgraded software to all of its service centers.

"General aviation isn't the threat, but it is part of the solution" That was the message AOPA President Phil Boyer gave to the new acting head of the Transportation Security Administration, Rear Admiral David M. Stone. In a meeting Wednesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., Boyer along with AOPA senior VP of government affairs Andy Cebula explained the important role GA plays in the modern transportation system, and how federal security actions have affected pilots' lawful use of their aircraft. "I came to this initial meeting concerned that it would be difficult for the new person to match the 'customer service' skills of the previous TSA administrator, Admiral James Loy," said Boyer. "It was a pleasant surprise to find a very different person, but one

Special Security TFR NOTAM: 4/0185 Issued: 01/08/2004 19:31 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: IN Facility: ZID - INDIANAPOLIS (ARTCC),IN. Type: SECURITY Description: NEWPORT, IN.

TFR Issued For Natural Gas Well Blowout NOTAM: 4/0180 Issued: 01/08/2004 18:47 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: LA Facility: ZHU - HOUSTON (ARTCC),TX. Type: HAZARDS Description: WESTFIELD, LA.

Special Security TFR NOTAM: 4/0187 Issued: 01/08/2004 19:35 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: AR Facility: ZME - MEMPHIS (ARTCC),TN. Type: SECURITY Description: PINE BLUFF ARSENAL, AR.

The Boss Heads Home For The Weekend NOTAM: 4/0162 Issued: 01/07/2004 23:15 Effective: 01/09/2004 23:35 - 01/12/2004 18:05 State: TX Facility: ZFW - FORT WORTH (ARTCC),TX. Type: VIP Description: WACO, TEXAS, JANUARY 9-12, 2004 LOCAL.

The Boss Heads Home For The Weekend NOTAM: 4/0163 Issued: 01/07/2004 23:21 Effective: 01/10/2004 00:05 - 01/12/2004 17:35 State: TX Facility: ZFW - FORT WORTH (ARTCC),TX. Type: VIP Description: CRAWFORD, TEXAS, JANUARY 9-12, 2004 LOCAL.

Special Security TFR NOTAM: 4/0182 Issued: 01/08/2004 19:22 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: KY Facility: ZID - INDIANAPOLIS (ARTCC),IN. Type: SECURITY Description: RICHMOND, KY.