A single gunman opened fire on a helicopter in Afghanistan Sunday, killing the Australian pilot and wounding an American woman, according to US military officials.

The potential for more tax revenue appears to be driving the city of Allentown (PA) toward redeveloping Queen City Airport -- much to the alarm of local pilots. The city says, however, that the 208 acres of airport property is being "held hostage" by GA pilots who base there and are now looking at moving the airport to another site.

Imagine this: An astronaut stands by the airlock aboard the International Space Station, obviously anxious. Suddenly, the lock cycles, the door pops open and here comes... A Domino's Pizza delivery. It could happen, especially if someone at NASA is listening to Robert Lorsch.

Commander Aircraft Company, which filed for Chapter 11 on December 27, 2002, has secured a court-confirmed financial reorganization plan. Under the plan, Tiger Aircraft will acquire an 80% ownership interest in Aviation General, Incorporated, Commander's publicly traded holding company. This will provide the resources and working capital for Commander to move forward.

The FAA's "virtual public meeting" on the agency's proposed charity/sightseeing rule, which is really nothing more than a week-long Internet chat session in which the agency will respond during normal business hours to comments submitted, will begin next Monday, Feb. 23. The FAA is holding the chat session in lieu of real public meetings, despite calls from Congress and AOPA for the face-to-face sessions.

The EAA AirVenture Museum commemorates a historic era in military aviation and welcomes a special new aircraft for display during a "Salute to Tuskegee Airmen" on Wednesday, February 25. The aircraft, a North American T-6 trainer on long-term loan from a private owner in Delaware, is especially significant because it is just one of two T-6 aircraft known to exist that were used by the Tuskegee Airmen, the African-American pilots who battled discrimination to become one of the top American flying units in the European Theater. EAA will also welcome two original Tuskegee Airmen, Richard Macon and Robert Martin, to the museum for a special presentation on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Eagle Hangar.

Let's recap the history of the Transportation Security Administration: The TSA... ...was created because of the public perception that weak security contributed materially to the 9/11 attacks. Has done much to increase its own size and power, but nothing material to make flying safer.

Klyde Is Ready For Some Action!

Special air fare discounts are now available for EAA members and others who plan to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004.  The 52nd annual aviation gathering will be held July 27-August 2 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The following is a statement from Boeing CEO Harry Stonecipher to employees, amidst the Defense Department investigation into possible conflicts of interest involved in the recently signed 767 tanker deal: "It is important that sufficient time be built into the 767 tanker program schedule to accommodate the Secretary of Defense’s reviews. Consequently, starting on February 23, Boeing will slow the development efforts on the Air Force 767 tanker. We will implement this slowdown in a manner that will keep key program elements intact in the months ahead. (Production on the Japanese and Italian tanker programs will not be affected by this slowdown.) As we stated in our most recent quarterly earnings report, through the end of 2003 Boeing had spent $270 million of company money o

AOPA senior staff members met with the sponsor of a sweeping aviation security bill introduced in the US House of Representatives, to explain the realities of general aviation security. Most of Rep. Edward Markey's (D-MA) legislation (H.R. 3798) deals with security at airlines, air cargo operators, and air carrier airports, but a small portion calls GA airports to perform a vulnerability assessment that will be developed by the Department of Homeland Security and mandatory flight restrictions over sensitive nuclear facilities, chemical facilities, and "any other facilities the Secretary may designate" during Code Orange alerts.

Air Staff officials have put the finishing touches on the "Transformation Flight Plan," which spells out the future direction of the Air Force. "Transformation is using new things and old things in new ways, and achieving truly transformational effects for the joint warfighter," said Lt. Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Force director of plans and programs.

The USAF "Transformation Flight Plan" is designed to be a living document, charting the service's future in the near-, mid-, and long-term.

The Federal Aviation Administration has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding noise levels emitting from new type-certificated aircraft. This measure would reduce noise levels allowed in aircraft ranging from small general-aviation airplanes to large passenger and cargo jets. Contrary to some published reports, the NPRM will have no impact on the proposed light-sport aircraft rules, nor on homebuilt airplanes. Neither classification is subject to Part 36 rules, as they have their own specifications.

Bankruptcy court Judge Eugene Wedoff ruled in support of a motion filed by United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, to appoint an examiner to investigate United's plan to change retiree medical benefits for workers who retired before July 1, 2003.

TFR Issued Due To Dam Implosion (No Kidding!) NOTAM: 4/1348 Issued: 02/20/2004 16:39 Effective: 02/23/2004 13:00 - 02/23/2004 23:00 State: VA Facility: ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC. Type: HAZARDS Description: FREDERICKSBURG, VA.

Another VIP TFR Issued For "You Know Who" NOTAM: 4/1356 Issued: 02/20/2004 19:15 Effective: 02/23/2004 16:30 - 02/23/2004 20:50 State: MN Facility: ZMP - MINNEAPOLIS (ARTCC),MN. Type: VIP Description: MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, FEBRUARY 23, 2004 LOCAL.

VIP TFR Issued For "You Know Who" NOTAM: 4/1352 Issued: 02/20/2004 18:50 Effective: 02/23/2004 21:10 - 02/23/2004 22:00 State: KS Facility: ZKC - KANSAS CITY (ARTCC),MO. Type: VIP Description: WICHITA, KANSAS, FEBRUARY 23, 2004 LOCAL.

America West Airlines and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) have reached a tentative agreement for a new four-year contract for the airline's dispatchers. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by TWU membership, and that process will begin around March 26, 2004. The results of the ratification process could come as early as April 2004. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This is not a meeting for public debate." Source: Allentown (PA) Community and Economic Development Director Ed Pawlowski, responding to requests from pilots and aircraft owners who wanted to give their input at a city council meeting on plans to move or shut down Queen City Airport. Pawlowski is spearheading an effort to redevelop the airport's 208 acres, over the objection of pilots who apparently aren't going to get a chance to speak on the matter for some time to come.

For Sale: KR-2 KR2 -- One HOT Little Sport Plane --  STRONG - WOOD & COMPOSITE Volks Wagon 60 hsp. 1835 Engine WAS COMPLETELY BUILT UP NEW FOR THIS AIRPLANE & RUNS GREAT, has about 25 hours of breakin & flight time since NEW. THE AIRFRAME HAS 104 HOURS TOTAL TIME. Exterior Quality: 9, Interior Quality: 9 Used, will sell for $10,800.00 (or best offer)