Newsletter Volume 30, Number 4

Calendar

Todd Townley from San Jose State Aeronautics starting his career.

David Alder on the 14th
John Nogatch on the 15th
Kenny Ruth Pattern on the 27th

Increases Projected for General Aviation
With GA pilots trying to avoid crowded terminals and airlines when they travel, it's no surprise that non-commercial aviation is also growing. According to the FAA, 1998 saw the industry's highest number of new shipments since 1994: 2,223 units, up from 1,159 units in 1997. The GA fleet is expected to increase from 194,800 in 1998, to 220,800 in 2010, with turboprops/turbojets growing fastest.

Shuster Cuts Deal for Higher Aviation Spending:
U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster (R-PA) said last week that he had managed to reach an agreement with House budgeters that moves forward his attempt to take the aviation trust fund "off-budget." Shuster is working on ways carve the trust fund out of the federal budget and allow all of the aviation taxes collected to be spent on new FAA equipment and on airport pavement.

Arthur Raymond, chief designer of the DC-3, died last week at age 99.

Australian Prison Break Features Commandeered Chopper:
Why spend months digging a tunnel when you can take the direct route for a prison break? Just like in a Charles Bronson movie, Australian con John Killick jumped on a commandeered chopper that landed at Sydney's Silverwater prison. A woman hired the helicopter but pulled a gun, ordering the pilot to land in the prison. The three then flew to a park in Sydney where Killick and the woman drove off in a waiting car.

PIC to Pilots: Have You Compared Your Life Insurance Rates Lately?
Don't overpay for life insurance because you fly! The Pilot Insurance Center has negotiated extremely favorable rates with several top-rated insurance companies and can save you up to 60% on your premiums. Low rates are available for all pilots, from students to ATPs, and no minimum hourly requirements or ratings are needed to qualify for these preferred rates. Even pilots of experimental, agricultural, and other special-risk aircraft can qualify. PIC is owned and staffed by pilots who speak your language and who understand the insurance markets for pilots. All policies come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Call PIC for an instant quote, or visit their Web site. It only takes a minute to see if you qualify! Quotes are always free!

SFO Class B Changes:
The dates of two public meetings on a proposal to raise the ceiling in the SFO Class B from 8,000 to 10,000 feet have been set. On April 5, pilots will be able to speak out at the San Jose City Council Chambers. On April 7, the meeting will be at the Western Aerospace Museum. Still unresolved, however, are apparent errors in the FAA's description of the airspace.

Here at Last: Pilots Guide to Northwestern Airports!
Optima Publications-the terrific folks who bring you "Pilots Guide to California Airports" and "Pilots Guide to Southwestern Airports"-have finally announced the availability of their latest guide, covering Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. It was worth the wait! No self-respecting West Coast pilot flies without Optima's superb guides, and their new "Pilots Guide to Northwestern Airports" features the same comprehensive format, with five full pages for each towered airport, including a fold-out approach map, aerial photo and a detailed airport diagram. PGNW has more than 400 pages and over 800 photos, maps and diagrams. Price is $36.95, including first-year revision service (three revisions).