In an effort to create a more accurate aircraft registration database, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring re-registration of all civil aircraft over the next three years and renewal every three years after that.

The rule establishes specific expiration dates over a three-year period for all aircraft registered before Oct. 1, 2010, and requires re-registration of those aircraft according to a specific schedule. All aircraft registration certificates issued on or after Oct. 1, 2010 will be good for three years with the expiration date clearly shown.

Aviation-themed Build #1 of 1 Ford Mustang SR-71 “Blackbird” to be sold at auction July 29, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, with proceeds supporting youth experiences and education

DEARBORN, Mich., July 14, 2010 – Two automotive icons, legendary racer and manufacturer Carroll Shelby, and world-renowned racer, engineer and designer Jack Roush, have come together in their first vehicle collaboration project to join Ford in creating a one-off 2011 Mustang, the aviation-themed SR-71 “Blackbird.” The one-of-a-kind vehicle will be sold at the Gathering of Eagles July 29 during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) 2010 AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s greatest aviation celebration. Ford is the exclusive automotive partner of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and all of the proceeds from the sale will benefit the EAA Young Eagles organization. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will be held from July 26 to Aug. 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis.

It’s not often that Hollywood takes a back seat when it comes to a movie premiere, but that’s exactly what will happen this year at AirVenture, the worlds’ greatest aviation celebration, July 26th through August 1st, in Oshkosh Wisconsin.  For the first time ever, AirVenture will premiere a major motion picture.  It’s called “Pearl”, a heat warming story of a daredevil who dared to dream.

By Gary R. Ness
Mark Holzer, Aviation Planner for the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission is retiring from the state position he held  for over 30 years. He will be venturing into a second career path with the Bismarck Airports District Office (FAA-ADO) on Monday, July 19th.  He is looking forward to new challenges in GIS related planning, ALP and Master Plan reviews.

Holzer's career at the ND Aero Commission, spanned many changes in the aviation industry. He has preformed and processed more than 1,800 FAA 5010 inspections.  In a way, Holzer has been the assistant manager of the 84 general aviation airports across the state, monitoring the efforts and development of all those facilities with the passion of a big uncle.  (Holzer Pictured)

By Gary Ness
Jeffrey B. Skiles, first  officer on the infamous US Airways Flight 1549 that went down in the Hudson River as a result of a bird strike, was the keynote speaker at the 12th Annual Joint Meeting of the Bird Strike Committees USA/Canada, held last month in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The get together drew over three hundred attendees from across the globe representing a diverse group including airport operation managers, USDA/Wildlife personnel, FAA representatives, university professors, wildlife biologists, military active duty personnel, radar ornithologists, state aviation representatives and the Smithsonian Institution just to name a few.   (Ness - Pictured)