The AEA has filled ANN in on some pivotal developments over the Field Approval quandary that has so befuddled the aviation business. The FAA's FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 43-210 may eliminate a lot of confusion. SUMMARY: This AC publishes in a standardized Advisory Circular much of the previously published policies that have dictated Field Approval procedures for over 40 years. MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS: The AC provides standardized information on alteration data, the field approval application process, aircraft flight manual supplements, and instructions for continued airworthiness, including samples of various checklists that MAY be used to streamline the application process, but are not required.

Offered As Standard Avionics Option

WSI Corporation and Mooney Airplane Company announced Thursday the availability of WSI InFlight as a Standard Avionics Option on all new Mooney aircraft. The FAA-certified WSI InFlight AV200 system will be offered in combination with the Garmin-AT Apollo MX20 multifunctional display. New Mooney aircraft owners will be able to select the option prior to completion of the airframe. Mooney claims the system improves pilots' situational awareness by delivering WSI NOWrad radar mosaic weather imagery and other mission critical aviation weather information directly into the cockpit during flight.

At the US Navy's insistence, the FAA on Thursday formally proposed turning the DoD TFR over the Kings Bay Naval Base in Georgia into prohibited airspace.  "This is a general aviation pilot's worst nightmare and has questionable security benefits," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The Pentagon is dictating national airspace policy. And it could get worse. AOPA has learned that the DoD has already submitted requests to turn the remaining permanent TFRs into prohibited areas."

Australia's Improved Air Safety Enforcement

Australia’s aviation industry is now subject to a new set of procedures to enforce air safety. The government says new procedures give the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) a more balanced set of enforcement tools, as well as opening up enforcement decisions to greater scrutiny by the courts and tribunals. Changes to enforcement came into effect this week, creating, what CASA considers, a fairer and more transparent system for ensuring air operators, maintenance organizations and other people in the aviation industry comply with safety rules. CASA’s chief executive officer, Bruce Byron, says the new system will ensure the punishment fits the crime.

Issued For Search and Rescue Operations NOTAM: 4/1497 Issued: 02/26/2004 09:26 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: AK Facility: ZAN - ANCHORAGE (ARTCC),AK. Type: SEARCH & RESCUE Description: FAIRBANKS, ALASKA.

The Prez Is Coming to Town

NOTAM:  4/1492  Issued:  02/26/2004 06:18  Effective:  02/27/2004 15:30 - 02/27/2004 18:20  State:  PA  Facility:  ZOB - CLEVELAND (ARTCC),OH.  Type:  VIP  Description:  FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA, FEBRUARY 27, 2004 LOCAL.    

NOTAM:  4/1491  Issued:  02/26/2004 06:15  Effective:  02/27/2004 13:15 - 02/27/2004 15:35  State:  MD  Facility:  ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC.  Type:  VIP  Description:  FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND, FEBRUARY 27, 2004 LOCAL.