NASA ANNOUNCES $300K PRIZE FOR 'SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY'
NASA will fund the first-ever Green Prize for transportation as part of a $300,000 flight competition slated this year in Santa Rosa, California. Formerly known as the PAV Challenge, the expanded 2008 event will be called the General Aviation Technology Challenge and will be held August 2-10, 2008.This year's contest includes the light sport aircraft (LSA) division and a special $10,000 prize for Quietest LSA. All competing LSAs are also eligible to win the other $280,000 in prizes in the flight competition. These include prizes for best glide ratio at 100 mph CAS, best angle of climb, quietest cabin, and shortest takeoff. An early registration discount is offered until February 14, 2008.

The goal of the annual competition is "sustainable mobility" by affordable aircraft that use renewable fuels and are immune to gridlock. The prizes aim to improve the efficiency, community acceptance, speed, and safety of the Personal Air Vehicle (PAV). To learn more, visit the CAFE (Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency) Foundation website, or contact Brien A. Seeley M.D., cafe400@sonic.net, 707-484-8721; or Ken Davidian, kdavidian@nasa.gov, 202-358-0748.

RANS S-19 ACHIEVES S-LSA CERTIFICATION
RANS Aircraft announced its S-19 has achieved S-LSA certification and will enter series production as the S-19LS. Certification was granted on December 21, 2007; deliveries are expected to begin late this year. The S-19LS is an all-metal low wing with a Rotax 912ULS powerplant and all glass cockpit. The company plans to size production to demand, projecting 50 within 12 months, and doubling sometime after. Expansion plans may be in the works as well. For more information about RANS Aircraft, visit www.rans.com.

ECLIPSE AVIATION SETS PRODUCTION RECORD
Eclipse Aviation announced it has produced and certified 104 Eclipse 500s since December 31, 2006. Reaching this milestone makes Eclipse the fastest general aviation jet aircraft manufacturer in history to produce its first 100 airplanes. The very light jet manufacturer completed 103 aircraft in 2007. Previously, the fastest ramp to 100 aircraft was achieved by Cessna, which reached 100 Cessna Citation 550 aircraft after approximately 18 months. To learn more about Eclipse, visit www.eclipseaviation.com.

FRASCA CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY
Frasca International, Inc, Urbana, Illinois, is celebrating 50 years of business in 2008. "I'm extremely proud of where we are today and the positive impact we've had on flight training worldwide," said Rudy Frasca, founder and president. The family owned company, which employs over 160 people at its Urbana factory, plans to celebrate with various events throughout the year. For more information, visit www.frasca.com.

URBAN AIR MOVES; MOTORGLIDER READY FOR MARKET
Urban Air's headquarters has moved to a larger facility in Kerhartice, near the original Moravia factory, in the Czech Republic. The company also has plans to build a new manufacturing plant at the airport where the original factory is located. "Urban Air expects the new factory to be in production by 2009," explained Josef Bostik, of Urban Air USA. The first two Lambada light-sport aircraft were shipped to Urban Air USA in November and recently arrived in Melbourne, Florida. Urban Air USA will display them at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo from January 17-20. To learn more about Lambada, visit www.urbanairusa.com, or call 321-960-3438.

AIRPLANES AS ART-OR WEATHERVANES
Mustangs Unlimited creates 1/5th scale aircraft replicas to use as weather vanes, hangar art, or home décor. The airplanes are individually crafted of fiberglass with a propeller that turns in the wind. Each aircraft weathervane is painted to the buyer's specifications. The wingspan is 7 feet; the fuselage is 6 feet long and each plane weighs 45 pounds. Choose from Mustangs, Spitfires, Corsairs, or Air Tractors. Prices begin at $1825. For more information, visit www.FlyingVanes.com.