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SW Aviator Feb/Mar 2001
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SWAV News

Do you have news items of interest to the Southwest’s general aviation community? Submit them to: publisher@swaviator.com. Submissions will be run as space permits and may be edited for length and style. Emails or disks and digital photos receive preference.



WESTERN SKYWAYS INVITES PUBLIC TO GRAND OPENING OF NEW FACILITY - JUNE 21 AND 22, 2002

Western Skyways is inviting the public to attend a Grand Opening of their new 1.5 Million-Dollar facility in Montrose, Colorado. The Grand Opening festivities run June 21 and 22, 2002 and will include lots of special deals over the weekend, including a 10% discount on all aircraft maintenance services scheduled at Western Skyways during the Grand Opening and a 20¢ per gallon fuel discount all weekend long. Thousands of dollars in prizes have been donated from well wishers including Superior Air Parts, GAMI Fuel Injectors, Varga Enterprises, Progressive Air, Wing Aero, API, Lycoming TCM and many more. Prizes include a $900 Sennheirser Active Noise Cancellation Headset, a Palm Pilot III, a Yaesu Vxa 200 Portable Transcriber, Gift Certificates for pilot supplies, engine upgrades and much more.
Western Skyways new facility will have a significant impact for the region as well employing 100 people over the next 5 years with a $2.75 million boost to the local economy the first year and $6.6 million a year projected over the next 5 years. "The Aerospace Park is a super nice, new space situated airside at the Montrose regional airport ," reports Leis, "We share the strip with avid aviation advocates. We feel right at home here and know our aviation customers will too."

Western Skyways is located at the foot of the San Juan Mountains, in Western Colorado and customers will also be able to enjoy world-class recreation including skiing, fishing, hiking, biking and golfing if they choose to stay over while their engine installation is being performed. Leis reports "Within a days drive of the facility is Mesa Verde and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks plus Telluride, Crested Butte, Blue Mesa Reservoir…you know…just the best recreation Colorado has to offer. After a few days of play, our customers will be able fly home with their brand new, precision built Gold Seal“ or Millennium Engine“—what a deal!"
For more information on Western Skyways, contact 1-800-575-9929, fax (970) 249-4155. You can also visit them online at www.westernskyways.com or at 21 Creative Way, Montrose, CO, 81401.

THE AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION NOTES LOWEST ACCIDENT COUNT IN HISTORY
Preliminary statistics announced by the National Transportation Safety Board March 26 reveal that 2001 was the safest year ever for general aviation, says the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. General aviation (which is all non-airline and non-military flying) experienced fewer accidents than any time since record keeping began in 1938. NTSB figures showed the number of general aviation accidents dropped by more than six percent from 2000 to 2001. Total accidents declined from 1,838 to 1,721 (down 6.4 percent), and fatal accidents dropped from 343 to 321 (6.4 percent).

AOPA's Air Safety Foundation has provided research and pilot education since 1950, fostering the continued improvements in general aviation safety. Up-to-date information about ASF seminars, clinics, publications, and more can be found at www.asf.org.



TEXAS PIPER, INC. DELIVERS THREE NEW PIPER WARRIORS TO US FLIGHT ACADEMY.
Texas Piper, Inc. has delivered three new Piper Warrior aircraft to U.S. Flight Academy of Denton, Texas. "Our superior training methodologies in combination with Piper equipment will deliver a training experience second to none", said Todd Coffee, Director of U.S. Flight Academy. U.S. Flight Academy's mission is to produce the safest and most proficient pilots in the industry utilizing the latest technology and Piper equipment to maximize the experience of flight.

The aircraft will be used in the academy's Weekend Warrior program. This program allows the student to come out on the weekends, and start learning to fly at theirconvenience and within their budget.

Texas Piper has been supplying Texans with Piper planes since 1995. Cutter Aviation, parent company to Texas Piper, has recently expanded into the Dallas area at Dallas Executive Airport (RBD) where Texas Piper will house their newest sales office. From this location Larry Johnson, Regional Sales Manager for Texas Piper, will offer complete sales in northern Texas for Piper aircraft from the Archer to the Meridian.

You can join Texas Piper and USFA at the Cutter Aviation Dallas Open House on Saturday, June 15, 2002. Call 214-339-2713 for more details or to RSVP.

For further information, visit the Texas Piper website at www.texaspiper.com



RIO GRANDE AIR OFFERS SPECIAL $10 ANNIVERSARY FARES IN NEW MEXICO, SW COLORADO
Rio Grande Air, the only scheduled airline based in New Mexico, is marking its third anniversary by offering $10 fares for its first-time fliers. The fares are available for the first direction of travel booked on a round-trip flight, said Rio Grande Air CEO and founder Timothy Wooldridge. The return portion of the trip must be booked in a "Q" class (industry-standard discounted economy coach) advance purchase fare.

According to Wooldridge, the $10 fares are available for travel through July 1 for first-time Rio Grande Air passengers on all flights between Albuquerque, Ruidoso and Taos, NM, and Durango, CO. The fares are also available for the Rio Grande portion of code-sharing flights with Great Plains Airlines, which connect at the Albuquerque International Sunport.

Great Plains operates flights from New Mexico to Colorado Springs, Nashville, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Both airlines expect to add additional cities in 2002.

In order to qualify for the $10 fare, passengers and travel agents must book directly with Rio Grande Air's central reservations office toll-free at 877-I-FLY-RGA (877-435-9742).



S. HARRY ROBERTSON FAMILY FUNDS GOLDEN AGE EXHIBIT
The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has received a gift of $250,000 from Dr. S. Harry Robertson, of Tempe, Arizona, in support of a permanent exhibit area soon to be installed in its Learning and Research Center. Dr. Robertson is the founder, owner, CEO, and chief engineer of Robertson Aviation, and is a world-renowned expert in air crash investigation and safety.

The NAHF Learning and Research Center’s interactive exhibits are comprised of eight distinct areas, of which four have now been funded by major contributions by corporations and individuals. The S. Harry Robertson Family Golden Age Exhibit Area has been named in recognition of this latest gift, joining the NCR Early Flight Area, the John Berry Family World War One Exhibit Area, and the Harry B. Combs Resource Lab.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame was founded in 1962 and Congressionally chartered in 1964 to honor America’s outstanding air and space pioneers. The NAHF Learning and Research Center serves as a repository of information on the legacy and achievements of its enshrinees and the history of flight.



EAA ESTABLISHES LIST OF 'SPORT-PILOT ELIGIBLE' HOMEBUILT AND FACTORY-BUILT AIRCRAFT
EAA has assembled a list of aircraft that meet the proposed Light-Sport Aircraft requirements recently released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These aircraft can be flown by those who will hold the proposed Sport Pilot or any pilot certificate. The Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft proposal is in the public comment stage through May 5, 2002, after its release as an FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

This list of aircraft allows current pilots and those interested in the Sport Pilot certification to note that many existing aircraft fit within the proposed regulations. Currently more than 80 standard-category aircraft and 270 homebuilts (experimental category) fit within Light-Sport Aircraft limitations. While a number of new aircraft models are expected to emerge after the Sport Pilot rule becomes final, there will be many aircraft ready for use by Sport Pilots immediately after the final rule is issued.

For a list of the more than 300 commonly known aircraft eligible under proposed Sport Pilot rules, check the "Aircraft Types" section of the EAA Sport Pilot web site www.sportpilot.org.



ANNUAL AVIATION EVENT WILL BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The annual New Mexico Pilot Bash has been scheduled for June 8 from 5:30 until 11pm at the Seven Bar Aviation facility at Albuquerque International Airport.

Designed to foster good relations among the various elements of aviation in New Mexico and the surrounding area, the hangar party is open to all persons associated with general, commercial, or military aviation. Attendees must present an aviation ID at the gate. Entertainment will be provided by the Bobby Butram band.

The New Mexico Aviation Division will have a booth and staff representatives in the hangar to discuss current aviation issues. All attendees are invited to stop by to say hello and discuss matters of concern with the Division director and his staff.

For the fifth year, all proceeds from the Pilot Bash will go to the Jim and Roz Kinlen Memorial Scholarship Fund, the purpose of which is to further youth aviation education. The Scholarship program honors the Pilot Bash's founders, who "flew west" in 1997.



AVCOMM’S NEW DX-AC6PA PANEL MOUNT AVIATION INTERCOM
Aviation Communications, Inc., manufacturer of the AVCOMM line of headsets and intercoms, continues to set the standard for pilot communications with the introduction of the industries first "Quick install" panel mount intercom. It virtually eliminates tedious soldering!

AVCOMM’s new DX-AC6PA intercom is designed to address the tedious time-consuming task of soldering individual connectors, virtually eliminating soldering. Installation is streamlined by AVCOMM’s exclusive ‘Quick-install harness’, ‘Quick install pilot/co-pilot headset jacks’, ‘Quick-install radio and PTT connections’, and ‘Quick-install audio panel’. Panel preparation is easy to do with the transparaent template included in the kit. Color coded wiring, DB25 connections, and straight forward easy to follow instructions make it possible to be flying in two hours or less. For more information on the full line of AVCOMM headsets and intercoms, please contact Aviation Communications, Inc. at 800-845-7541, 1025 W. San Bernardino Rd., Covina, CA 91722. Or, visit them online at www.avcomm.com.



SENMAA FLY-IN BREAKFAST
The Southeastern New Mexico Aviation Association will host their 2nd annual Fly-In Breakfast. It will be at the Hobbs, Lea County Airport on Saturday, June 15 2002, from 8:00am until 11:00am New Mexico time in the CAF hanger.

The event features free breakfast for all fly-ins, and $3.00 for all others. There will also be displays by the Roadrunner Antique Car Club and the Cloud Dusters radio controlled aircraft. There will be plaques for the oldest, youngest, and furthest pilots. Contact rwynn@gte.net for more info.



ZEPPELIN DELI LANDS AT RYAN AIRFIELD’S WINGS RESTAURANT
Wings Restaurant reopened April ninth Tucson’s Ryan Airfield. Vince Bozzi, of the Zeppelin Deli at the Tower Grill at Tucson International Airport, will be managing the restaurant through an operator agreement with the Tucson Airport Authority.

The new menu features hearty breakfasts, two-handed Zeppelin sandwiches served on fresh baked Italian rolls, homestyle platters, and daily specials. A prime spot for airplane watching, Wings is open daily Sunday through Thursday 7am to 3pm and Friday and Saturday 7am to 8pm.



SCORE YOUR FAA WRITTEN RIGHT ON YOUR TELEVISION
Sporty’s award-winning complete and interactive DVD flight training courses have just gotten better. They said it couldn’t be done, but Sporty’s breakthrough DVD technology has proved them wrong. Now questions are scored right on a home television – no need to be near a computer, although it works there too.

Sporty’s interactive DVD’s can be ordered at sportys.com or by calling 800-LIFTOFF.



EAA, PHILLIPS 66 HELPING GENERAL AVIATION REBOUND THROUGH YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM
It's easy to participate in the Phillips 66 Young Eagles rebate program. Any EAA member, pilot or Chapter, or pilot from partner organizations authorized by the EAA Aviation Foundation, can participate in the rebate program. Fuel receipts or copies must be mailed, along with a signed statement confirming the fuel was used for the Young Eagles Program, to:

Young Eagles Rebate Offer
Phillips 66 Company, 617 Adams Building
Bartlesville, OK 74004

Only Phillips 66 issues the fuel rebates, not individual FBOs. Pilots may apply for the Phillips 66 credit card by calling 800-DO-APPLY (800-362-7759), or through the Phillips 66 Aviation web site, aviation.phillips66.com.



AEROSPACE AMERICA INTRODUCES ACE 2002 TO THE AIRSHOW
The Aerospace America International Airshow is soaring into 2002 with much more than an airshow under its wing. Aerospace America will introduce the 2002 Aviation Conference and Exposition on June 13th and 14th at the Westin Hotel in Downtown Oklahoma City.

ACE 2002 will feature top speakers and address current trends in the industry. A comprehensive exhibit of aviation industries will feature 100 business displays in the Westin’s private conference area.
For additional information or registration information, call 405-685-9546.
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The material in this publication is for advisory information only and should not be relied upon for navigation, maintenance or flight techniques. SW Regional Publications and the staff neither assume any responsibility for the accuracy of this publication's content nor any liability arising fom it
SW Aviator Magazine • 3909 Central NE • Albuquerque, NM 87108
Phone: 505.256.7031 • Fax: 505.256.3172 • e-mail:
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©2001 Southwest Regional Publishing, Inc.