Due to the scheduling of HELI-EXPO ’04 in March 2004, CFIs who last renewed their certificates at HELI-EXPO in February 2002, are facing the possibility that their certificates might expire on February 29, 2004. According to 14 CFR 61.197(b)(2), CFI certificates expire on the last day of the month two years after they are last renewed. There are no regulatory provisions that provide for either a waiver or a grace period to this date. Taking the only option available to seek relief for the CFI’s thus affected, HAI submitted a petition to the FAA to grant an exemption to Part 61.197(b)(2) by allowing an extension to March 31, 2004. This would allow CFI’s who could be adversely affected to attend the Flight Instructor Refresher Course at HELI-EXPO ’04 in

The FAA has formally announced that it will conduct a public-private competition to determine the best way to run automated flight service station (AFSS) services. Because FSS services are so important to general aviation pilots, when the agency originally announced plans for the study, AOPA staff successfully argued the association should have the opportunity to participate in the study to ensure that the process accurately reflects the needs of users. Aviation weather services are a critical safety function that must be provided by the government without fees to pilots, and AOPA would vigorously fight any action that would take that responsibility away from the government or 'privatize' FSS functions.

In its fifth and final award announcement of 2003, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission named 15 individuals from throughout the United States and Canada as recipients of the Carnegie Medal. The bronze medal is given to persons who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Four of the awardees died in the performance of their heroic acts. One of the awardeees received his honor for the daring rescue of a passenger from a stricken aircraft. Nathan Michael Grube of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, helped to rescue William S. Smith, Jr., from burning, Brunswick, Georgia, September 21, 2002.

Happy New Year! NOTAM: 3/2102 Issued: 12/23/2003 16:52 Effective: 12/31/2003 21:45 - 12/31/2003 22:30 State: CA Facility: ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: PASADENA, CA, FOR AN AERIAL DEMONSTRATION BY THE USAF WINGS OF BLUE PARACHUTE TEAM

Happy New Year! NOTAM: 3/2101 Issued: 12/23/2003 16:51 Effective: 01/01/2004 16:16 - 01/01/2004 21:45 State: CA Facility: ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: PASADENA CA. FOR THE ROSE PARADE

GW Heads Home For The Holidays... NOTAM: 3/2109 Issued: 12/23/2003 17:38 Effective: 12/26/2003 17:05 - 12/26/2003 18:10 State: TX Facility: ZFW - FORT WORTH (ARTCC),TX. Type: VIP Description: WACO, TEXAS, DECEMBER 26, 2003 LOCAL.

Happy New Year! NOTAM: 3/2100 Issued: 12/23/2003 16:50 Effective: 01/01/2004 14:00 - 01/01/2004 16:15 State: CA Facility: ZLA - LOS ANGELES (ARTCC)PALMDALE, CA. Type: AIR SHOWS/SPORTS Description: PASADENA CALIFORNIA FOR THE ROSE PARADE

GW Heads Home For The Holidays... NOTAM: 3/2108 Issued: 12/23/2003 17:30 Effective: 12/26/2003 17:30 - 01/04/2004 22:00 State: TX Facility: ZFW - FORT WORTH (ARTCC),TX. Type: VIP Description: CRAWFORD, TEXAS, DECEMBER 26, 2003 - JANUARY 4, 2004 LOCAL.

For the last 20 years, a small, family owned air service and a rural, interdenominational Christian college have teamed together to teach students to fly so that they can make a difference in the world. The small, family owned air service is Harv's Air, located just south of Steinbach, Manitoba. They offer accelerated but very comprehensive courses for all licences and permits from the new Recreational Permit through to the Multi-IFR (Multi Engine Airplanes and Instrument Flight Reference). The College is called Providence College and Seminary and is located just west of Steinbach in Otterburne, Manitoba. They are an accredited, interdenominational, multi-cultural, Christian institution that offers university level degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies, General Arts, S