NASA Digs Embry-Riddle’s Moon-Mining Robotics

Prescott, Ariz., / Daytona Beach, Fla., June 7, 2011
Moon-mining robots engineered by two teams of Embry-Riddle students scooped up awards, judges’ praise, and tons of experience for their creators at NASA’s second annual Lunabotics Competition, held May 23-28 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The event drew 36 teams from the United States, Canada, and India.

A student team from Embry-Riddle’s Prescott, Ariz., campus (pictured in photo at right) won the first-ever Judges Innovation Design Award for their lunar robot, LAR-E (Luna All-terrain Regolith Excavator). LAR-E also ranked fourth in the Mining Competition. Pictured from left surrounding LAR-E: Nick Leslie, Jesse Gang, Matt Bender, Bryce Fox, Aaron Wilson, Carson Roy-Thill , Dr. John Nafziger (Advisor), Bryan Bollig, Jacob Pratt, Tyler Chang.


“LAR-E was so maneuverable and agile that it had the ability to climb over the walls,” said Matt Bender, a member of Prescott’s campus team.

One of his teammates, Jacob Pratt, added: “a NASA judge at the award ceremony said it is believable that this robot could work on the moon.”


A second team, from the university’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus (pictured at left), won the Slide Presentation Award for their excavator, called Moon Pi.


Caroline Liron, a faculty advisor of the Daytona Beach team, said, “Our performance was even better than last year. The robot is a complete improvement.”


Both Embry-Riddle teams were made up of mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering students. Their efforts are the latest in a rapidly growing program in unmanned aerial systems and robotics at the university, which boasts nationally recognized engineering programs at both campuses.

The NASA-sponsored competition required all teams to design and build a lunabot, a remote-controlled or independent robot capable of collecting and depositing 10-kg of simulated lunar soil, called regolith, in 15 minutes.


All members of the Prescott team were from the first full graduating class for Mechanical Engineers. They chose this competition for their senior project. The Prescott campus of Embry-Riddle started accepting students into their Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program in Fall 2007.


Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu

William G. Thompson
Director of Alumni Relations - Western Region
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Arizona
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86301
(928) 777-6961
(928) 777-4201
thompsb@erau.edu
www.erau.edu

We will miss Amanda Franklin

By Sarah Brown, AOPA OnLine


Airshow performer Amanda Franklin died late May 27. Doctors at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio had been treating her extensive burns, injuries, and ensuing infections since a March 12 crash landing and engine fire during a show routine.

Amanda and husband Kyle Franklin were performing a wing-walking routine at Air Fiesta 2011 at Brownsville-South Padre International Airport when the engine of their Waco biplane lost power. Amanda was able to climb off the wing and into the forward cockpit seat before the forced landing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report; she was badly burned in a post-impact fire.

READ MORE>>
Photo below from Amanda's Facebook page, by Eric Russell
Photos of Amanda Younkin Franklin in Sun N Fun-2010
By Eric Russell

FAA Revises Proposal to Enhance Air Carrier Training Programs

by FAA

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today proposed a substantial and wide-ranging overhaul of air carrier crew training. The supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) addresses comments from the January 2009 proposal and provisions laid out in the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010.

“The United States has the world’s safest aviation system, but we are continually seeking ways to make it even safer,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This proposal will make U.S. pilots and other crewmembers even better-equipped to handle any emergency they may encounter.”

“The FAA is proposing the most significant changes to air carrier training in 20 years,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “This is a major effort to strengthen the performance of pilots, flight attendants and dispatchers through better training.”

Responding to a congressional mandate, the proposed requirements reflect a significant shift in training philosophy designed to produce qualified and capable crewmembers and dispatchers ready to face current and future aviation challenges.

Under this proposal, flight crews would have to demonstrate, not just learn, critical skills in “real-world” training scenarios. Pilots would be required to train as a complete flight crew, coordinate their actions through Crew Resource Management, and fly scenarios based on actual events. Dispatchers would have enhanced training and would be required to apply that knowledge in today’s complex operating environment.

The revised proposal would require ground and flight training to teach pilots how to recognize and recover from stalls and aircraft upsets. The proposal also would require remedial training for pilots with performance deficiencies such as failing a proficiency test or check, or unsatisfactory performance during flight training or a simulator course.

The proposal would address how air carriers may modify training programs for aircraft with similar flight handling characteristics. It also reorganizes and revises the qualification, training, and evaluation requirements for all crewmembers and dispatchers.

Like the original proposal, the supplemental notice would require the use of pilot flight simulation training devices. Pilots also would have to complete special hazard training in addition to practicing the use of crew resource management skills.

The supplemental proposal also contains requirements derived from voluntary FAA-approved alternative training regimens such as Advanced Qualification Programs (AQP). These include:
crew-oriented, scenario-based training; demonstration of satisfactory skill on each task to determine necessary job performance training hours; a continuous analysis process that lets the certificate holder validate how effective the qualification and training program is, or where it may need to be changed.

The new proposal also clarifies that the proposal’s economic impact on air carriers that conduct training under voluntary, FAA-approved alternative programs, such as AQP, and the time used for flight simulator training, would be minimal.

Flight attendants would be required to complete hands-on emergency drills every 12 months, and the proposal would standardize the training and experience requirements for certain dispatchers and instructors.

The proposal will be on display at the Federal Register.

The comment period closes on July 19, 2011.

Arizona Aircraft Expo, Prescott Airport July 15th & 16th

Payson Aero Fair, Spring is here!

The Payson Aero Fair is a great way to start off the flying season.  Check out Payson airport (PAN).  A great place to go to breakfast, or, fly in and camp out!

Payson Aero Fair
May 21, 2011
730am - 200pm local

Pancake Breakfast
EAA Chapter 810 airplane rides

Vintage aircraft
Light sport aircraft

FREE ADMISSION

Need help promoting your aviation business or airport user group?

Ever wonder how to more effectively support and promote your aviation business, airport user group, or aviation event?  Well, here are the first few tips showcased by AOPA Pilot Magazine, May, 2011, highlighting the efforts of FlyPrescott.  Need more help? Contact flyprescott@yahoo.com .

TO VIEW ARTICLE, USE SCROLL BARS ON BOTTOM AND RIGHT SIDE OF ARTICLE:
PROBLEMS VIEWING THIS ARTICLE? CLICK HERE

Informative links:
AOPA Magazine, Digital editions: http://www.aopa.org/digitaleditions/
*If you haven't check this out, do it. Dynamic pages, great content.

Lights out at Prescott Airport: Beware bottlenecks...

Hello Tenants and the Prescott Airport Community,

We received a call from APS to inform us of a scheduled power outage. It is anticipated to begin on Thursday, April 28th at 10 p.m. with power restored by 5 a.m. Friday, April 29th. It will definitely impact all the hangars and gates at the Bottleneck area, therefore, no electric hangar doors or lights will work, nor will the gates.

In the distribution list of this email we have included those of you on the North Ramp, just to be sure you are aware of the possibility.

Prescott Municipal Airport Administration
6546 Crystal Lane
Prescott, AZ 86301
Airport.admin@prescott-az.gov
928/777-1114

ERAU's Biz Club Prevails at AZ State Leadership Conference, FAASTeam Seminar at PRC

The Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Business Club Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University took state championship honors by taking home the most awards at the 2011 PBL State Leadership Conference at Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona on April 15 and 16, 2011.

ERAU Prescott's Phi Beta Lambda
business club

Our students performed exceptionally well against formidable competitors from well-established programs representing multiple colleges and universities across Arizona. ERAU PBL members received total of 42 awards, the largest number of awards in this competition, of which 21 were first places finishes (which was the largest number of first-place finishes in this competition). ASU PBL members finished second with a total of 31 awards, of which 17 were 1st place awards . This is the fifth consecutive year that ERAU PBL members have received the largest number of awards since the resurrection of ERAU PBL business club in 2004. The winners of the state competition are eligible to compete in the 2011 PBL National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 23-26, 2011.

I am so very proud of the tremendous efforts of the ERAU PBL members in achieving these awards. The phenomenal performance of our students at the 2011 PBL State Leadership Conference speaks volumes as to our impressive student quality at ERAU-Prescott, as well as the tremendous capabilities of the Business faculty on this campus.

The state competition is sponsored annually by the Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL). FBLA-PBL is the largest student business organization in the world. The organization’s focus is development of business and leadership skills. It aims to equip students with skills that will set them apart from the average business graduate.

Respectfully submitted,
Javad Gorjidooz, Ph.D., MBA
PBL Adviser
Faculty delegate to the Board of Trustees
Professor of Finance
Department of Aviation Business Administration
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86301-3720
Phone: 928-777-6942
Fax : 928-777-3827

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FAASTeam Safety Seminar
Fly-in Event, Prescott Airport, April 23 at hangar next to Guidance Helicopters.  BBQ hosted by Guidance Helicopters after seminar.  See FAASTeam seminar info below:

Chandler Airport Dayz, April 16th, Honoring Vets Past and Present

Chandler Airport Dayz:

http://www.chandleraz.gov/

Sat, April 16 &17, 2011

8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Join The Chandler Aiport community April 16 & 17. The Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum will be flying their WWII aircraft to the Chandler Airport Dayz in their efforts to “Honoring our Arizona Veterans Past and Present”. There will be warbird rides and tours! Also on display will be a variety of other aircraft including an Apache Helicopter.

City of Chandler, Arizona
http://www.chandleraz.gov/

Golf for Wounded Warriors, Win a Cirrus Aircraft and Start Your Pilot Training - It's All Good!

More reasons why Prescott's a leader in aviation...there's lots going on here and in the region!  Golf for Wounded Warriors, Play in a hole in one contest to win a Cirrus and start your ground school training for your pilot certificate!

April 23, 2011: "Heroes Open" at the Antelope Hills Golf Course, Prescott, AZ., benefitting the Wounded Warriors Project and sponsored by the Student Veterans Organization of Embry-Riddle of Prescott, AZ.
See website at: http://www.svoerau.org/golf/heroesopen

April 28 - 30, 2011: "Win A Cirrus Hole In One Contest" at Talking Stick Resort of Scottsdale, AZ.  Winner will also receive 40 hours of dual flight instruction, free, from Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona.

May 17, 2011:  Ground School starts at Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona.

Scroll down to view all three event flyers. Click on image for larger viewing:

Grand Canyon Airspace Issues, Submit comments link to National Parks

One of our aviation advocates who attended the Grand Canyon airspace meeting here in Arizona posted this for us regarding Grand Canyon airspace issues.  Please read and post any updates or corrections by creating a post comment below for other readers.

"Just an FYI that you can still submit comments on the Grand Canyon airspace issues at
 http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=65&projectID=28052&documentID=38849

That turns out to be the preferred method for submitting comments, and is supposed to be good for at least several more weeks.

One concerning thing I learned at the meeting was that there are apparently several errors on the planning charts posted online. According to the NPS folks I talked with:
1.  The proposed seasonal corridor use on some proposed plans applies only to air tour operators and not G.A.

2. The green outlines marked on the charts as “Restricted flights below 18,000” are wrong, and only the current altitude restrictions apply outside the free flight zones themselves, which would indeed go to 18,000.

Download maps of the proposed alternatives at:
http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=65&projectID=28052&documentID=38872

How they can solicit useful public input when the proposal reference materials are wrong is hard to imagine!"

Picture from National Park Service webpage: http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/photos/images/D7498.JPG

Department of Homeland Security to use Facebook and Twitter for Security Alerts~OMG!

April 2011
by Guy Roginson
As mentioned in recent news articles (USA Today), the Department of Homeland Security may begin using Facebook and Twitter to relay the new two level terror alerts.

Imagine this, you get a Twitter message in your inbox from the Department of Homeland Security and it reads: "B4 alert, there was a breach b/c da sec of st didn't dm da DOD. Make nts and prt. BFN."

Jibberish, maybe, but it could be reality one day, probably when all of us "Twewbies" are no longer Twewbies.

Translation: "Before alert, there was a breach because the secretary of state did not direct message the Dept of Defense. Make note to self and please retweet. Bye for now." And, Twewbie means "Twitter newbie".

Need help translating?  There's actually dictionaries out there to help you do just that.  You can go to:
Webopedia for a Twitter dictionary: http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/Twitter_Dictionary_Guide.asp

Seriously, are we being serious?  Yes, don't be surprised if your kids and your grandkids get their terror alerts in just this way, they already text like this to their friends (we are experts in this reality as there is a terror group of 3 girls, 7, 10 and 14 years of age in our hangar that communicate in just this way.)

Don't forget to be BFF with DHS on FB....BFN!
:/

FAASTeam event: "Surface Nav for Aviation Pros"

To All pilots and airport community members,

The FAA Runway Safety Action Team and FAASTeam will be conducting a training presentation titled "Surface Navigation for Aviation Professionals" on Thursday April 14, 2011 at 1830 in the Davis Learning Center Auditorium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Everyone is highly encouraged to attend this free event. Attendance to the event can be used for WINGS credit. For more details regarding the event and WINGS credit, visit www.faasafety.gov and see the attached flyer. Leaders of businesses and associations, please distribute this information among your customers and colleagues.

Brian J. Roggow
Interim Director of Aviation Safety & Security
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott, AZ
Office: 928-777-4306

Davis Learning Center:


View Larger Map

FAA Admin Considering Fees for Low Time Pilots

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt
Time to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey?
Photo from FAA.GOV

Here come the User Fees in another form:

As reported in Aero News, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is reportedly considering tacking a surcharge onto renewal fees paid by pilots. The surcharges would be based on the number of hours a pilot flies in any given year.

READ MORE!! http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=fa00988b-c4e0-4c21-b0b6-c14632608838&Dynamic=1

"Heroes Open" Golf Tournament benefitting Wounded Warriors April 23rd

The Heroes Open is a charity golf tournament presented by the Student Veterans Organization of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, benefiting the Wounded Warriors Project as well as the SVO scholarship fund.


Hosted by Antelope Hills Golf Course, Prescott, Arizona.
23 April, 2011 Tee time is 1000

Event Website: http://www.svoerau.org/golf/heroesopen

Embry-Riddle Prescott Fleet Upgrades to Diamond DA42 NGs

Prescott, Ariz., March 31, 2011 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Flight Line in Prescott will take delivery of four Diamond Aircraft DA42 NG twin engine aircraft before the new school year. The new DA42s will be used as multi-engine trainers for new flight students starting in August.

“We selected the Diamond DA42 NG after evaluating all the light twin engine aircraft on the market,” said William O'Hara, Interim Director of Flight Operations at Embry-Riddle Prescott. “The DA42 NG provides us with an exceptionally safe and fuel-efficient multi-engine training platform with the latest in engine, avionics and airframe technologies. And, the AE300 turbo-diesel is perfect for our high altitude training environment.”

The DA42 NG incorporates an all-carbon fiber airframe with FADEC, twin turbo-diesel AE300 engines from Austro Engine, and the latest avionics from Garmin, including the G1000 integrated glass cockpit with GFC 700 automated flight control system and Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT).

“With the sale of DA42 NGs to Prescott, Diamond is pleased to expand our relationship with Embry-Riddle. The DA42 NG is an excellent choice for Embry-Riddle's mission of preparing their students to be the best professional pilots in the industry,” commented David Moser, Director of Fleet Sales for Diamond Aircraft.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.


For more information about Diamond Aircraft (North America) visit http://www.diamondaircraft.com/


For more information about Diamond Aircraft (International) visit http://www.diamond-air.at/


Media Contact
Susan Larsen
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
3700 Willow Creek Road
Prescott, AZ 86310
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
(928) 777-6731
susan.larsen@erau.edu

Prescott Airport Runway Closures: April 6 - 8

Next week the Airport is expecting to begin soil sampling for the upcoming Runway Project. To accomplish this, there will be a drill rig on the airport at various locations.

Drilling is anticipated to start Monday morning and occur daily through Friday morning.

There will be various runway and taxiway closures affecting various parts of the airport. It is anticipated that the following runway closures will be in place:

Starting 2200 on April 6th until 0600 April 7th = Runway 21L-3R closed
Starting 2200 on April 7th until 2359 April 7th = Runway 21L-3R closed
Starting 0000 on April 8th until 0600 April 8th = Prescott Airport Closed (All runways)

Please be sure to check the current NOTAMs for the latest information.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Benjamin Vardiman, ACE
Airport Manager
Prescott Municipal Airport
Ernest A. Love Field
6546 Crystal Lane
Prescott, AZ 86301
Office: (928)-777-1114
Fax: (928)-771-5861
Email: ben.vardiman@prescott-az.gov

Informative links:Visit Prescott, AZ.:  http://www.visit-prescott.com/
Comprehensive PRC info: http://www.flyprescott.com/
City of Prescott, AZ.: http://www.prescott-az.gov/

Sun n' Fun Ripped by Storm - AVweb

Prescott to Los Angeles Route Reopening

March 28, 2011

http://www.flyprescott.com/visitors

Great Lakes Aviation, today announced new daily service from the Prescott Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport effective May 15, 2011.  This will replace the service to Ontario, CA.

“For a destination like Prescott, offering daily round trip service to two major markets like Los Angeles and Denver promises to be a boon to both business and leisure travelers and will certainly benefit the City’s expanding tourism efforts.  Great Lakes has been an outstanding business partner and we look forward to working with them to ensure the success and growth of these two routes.“ said Kim Kapin, spokesperson for the City of Prescott.

Following is the Prescott flight schedule effective May 15, 2011:

Prescott to Los Angeles:

Flight 5162      Departs     7:20a         Arrives       8:55a         Operates Daily

Flight 5062      Departs     1:33p         Arrives       3:08p         Operates Daily

Los Angeles to Prescott:

Flight 5047      Departs     9:20a         Arrives       10:52a       Operates Daily

Flight 5161      Departs     5:55p         Arrives       7:27p         Operates Daily

Prescott to Denver:

Flight 5047      Departs     11:05a       Arrives       2:51p         Operates Daily

Denver to Prescott:

Flight 5062      Departs     11:30a       Arrives       1:18p         Operates Daily

To purchase tickets on Great Lakes Airlines, visit www.flygreatlakes.com, call the Great Lakes’ reservation center at 800-554-5111or visit your travel agent.

===========================

Don't forget:  

The EAA's B17 Aluminum Overcast will be at the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport April 5th and 6th.

For more info, and links to Tour Stop Schedule and great images, go to:
http://www.b17.org/tourstops/

Guidance Aviation takes State Master Award 2011

Prescott, AZ. 2011

Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona took the "Top Master Award" at the Arizona State Capitol on March 22, 2011 during the Arizona Small Business Development Center Awards.

This year, the AZSBDC honored 15 top performing Arizona businesses who "collectively created or retained more than 300 jobs; generated more than $4 million in new capital; and increased their sales by more than $17.7 million".

Guidance Aviation provides professional pilot training in both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.  Their mission is to provide the highest standard of flight training available which includes utilizing the newest equipment and aircraft on the market.

Read full story:

http://www.azsbdc.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Guidance-Aviation-Yavapai-19.pdf


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http://www.guidance.aero/



Informative links:

Guidance Aviation Web: http://www.guidance.aero/

Guidance News Blog: http://www.guidanceaviation.blogspot.com/

Arizona Small Business Development Center: http://www.azsbdc.net/