HURRY: LSA COMPETITION EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT NEARS
NASA's $300,000 flight competition for LSAs offers a $1000 early bird discount on registration that ends on February 14. All LSA teams, both factory and private owners, planning to compete in the August 2008 competition at the CAFE Foundation in Santa Rosa, California should register soon. The competition is part of NASA's General Aviation Technology Challenge. Prizes are LSA interest include: $50,000 Aviation Safety Prize (handling, smart auto-pilot); $150,000 Community Noise Prize; $50,000 Green Prize; $10,000 "Quietest LSA" prize; $3,750 Shortest Takeoff Prize; $3,750 Best Angle of Climb Prize; $3,750 Best Glide Prize; and $3,750 Quietest Cabin Priz. For more information, visit http://cafefoundation.org/v2/pav_home.php.

DATE, LOCATION CHANGE FOR ILLINOIS ULTRALIGHT SEMINAR
The Illinois Ultralight & Light Plane Safety Seminar has a new date and location; it will be held on Saturday, March 8 at the Illinois DOT Hanley Building in Springfield, Illinois. The one-day seminar includes topics such as Weather for the Sport Aviator, What to Do on a Ramp Check, and Rotax Maintenance. Attendance is free. Learn more at www.safety-seminar.com.

NASA BEAMS BEATLES' 'ACROSS THE UNIVERSE' INTO SPACE
NASA transmitted The Beatles' classic, Across the Universe, into on February 4 over NASA's Deep Space Network to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the song's recording date. It's also the 50th anniversary of NASA's founding and of the Fab Four's beginnings. The transmission was aimed at the North Star, Polaris, which is located 431 light years away from Earth. The song will travel across the universe indeed, at a speed of 186,000 miles per second.  Read more

VIRGINIA REWARDS PILOTS FOR USING STATE AIRPORTS
In an effort to encourage pilots to visit Virginia's 66 public-use airports, the state's aviation department has created the Virginia Aviation Ambassadors program. The incentive program provides bronze, silver and gold level awards for pilots and passengers who visit (fly or drive) to Virginia airports and aviation museums; participate in one of the state's DOAV/FAA Safety programs; and attend the Virginia Regional Fly-In, now known as the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight. A program passport obtained at any local public-use airport in Virginia is used to keep track of visits. The three award levels and gifts include: bronze level - Virginia Aviation Ambassadors cap and lapel pin; silver level - flight bag; and gold level - leather flight jacket. For information on how to participate, the rules, airport notices, and suggestions for pilots, visit www.doav.virginia.gov/vaap.htm.

CESSNA NAMES SHIH TO OVERSEE SKYCATCHER OPERATIONS
Cessna Aircraft Company appointed Mike Shih to lead the company's China operations. As director - Cessna China Operations, Shih will oversee the production of the Cessna Model 162 SkyCatcher and support business development opportunities in China. He will be based at Textron's Shanghai, China, office. Shih joined Cessna in 1989 and has held various engineering leadership positions, most recently director - Aircraft Structural Integrity for all Cessna models. He has a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University. For more information, visit www.cessna.com.

SPORTY'S AEROSPOILER: LIFT-REDUCTION SYSTEM
Sporty's AeroSpoiler is a unique lift-reduction system used to protect aircraft parked outside in high wind conditions, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and even hurricanes. PVC sheets in the shape of Venetian blind slats are held in place on the aircraft wing by commercial-grade suction cups. The complete kit provides 20 feet of wing coverage and reportedly reduces the lift-producing capability of an aircraft wing by as much as 96 percent. Learn more at www.sportys.com, or call 800-776-7897.