WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Aviation Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), will hold a hearing July 23 to review the state of American aviation manufacturing, including economic health and challenges facing the industry. In 2012, aviation generated roughly 5% of the nation’s gross domestic product, contributed $1.2 trillion dollars in economic activity, and supported […]
Volunteers help reopen L88 runway
Volunteers from Tehachapi, Bakersfield, Santa Maria and Shafter in California worked hard this past Saturday to assist the airport owner re-open the runway in New Cuyama, California. The group of 20 pilots and aviation enthusiasts were brought together by a common theme: Roll up your sleeves and help save an airport. The airport remains on the Los Angeles […]
All-metal folding-wing Groppo Trail now available in U.S.
The Italian Groppo Trail is now available in the U.S. The high-wing light-sport or amateur-built kit features tandem seating, all-metal construction, and wings that are foldable in less than five minutes by one person. Experimental Light-Sport (ELSA) and amateur-built kits are available starting at $28,250. The ready-to-fly Special Light Sport (SLSA) Trail is available for $79,900. […]
John McLain flies west
Sad news: We just found out that long-time CFI John McLain, who wrote a column for General Aviation News’ former sister paper The Southern Aviator, passed away in April after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A very nice tribute written by John Hesse was posted on the Empire Aviation website. The website also has a […]
AEA to award $1,000 toward ADS-B upgrade to five aircraft owners
To help owners of general aviation aircraft meet the FAA’s ADS-B Out mandate, the Aircraft Electronics Association will randomly award five aircraft owners with $1,000 toward an ADS-B compliant upgrade. “The FAA recently made it clear to Congress that the Jan. 1, 2020, deadline for ADS-B Out compliance is not going to change,” said Paula […]
Lockheed Martin adds inflight electronic PIREP capabilities
Lockheed Martin Flight Services has launched its 9.1 release, which includes several enhancements, including inflight electronic PIREP submission. “Inflight PIREP submission is the most recent component of our Flight Services Data Link strategy, building on the cockpit to ground communications capability we put in place for inflight Adverse Condition Alerting Service (ACAS) alerts and Surveillance-Enhanced […]
MT-Propeller receives EASA STC for PA-46
MT-Propeller has received an EASA STC for the next generation Quiet Fan Jet 5-blade scimitar composite propeller MTV-27-1-E-C-F-R(P)/CFR203-58d on the PA-46-500TP. The FAA STC also has been received, company officials said. According to officials, the propeller installation provides: Vibration damping characteristics for almost vibration free propeller operations; Bonded on nickel alloy leading edge for erosion protection of the […]
Pilot hearing protection focus of Wednesday webinar
A webinar will be held Wednesday, July 23, at 8 pm (Eastern Time Zone) on noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent it. Presenting the webinar is Rick Todd, David Dunlap and Ravi the Raviator, a pilot and musician. “I meet a lot of hearing impaired musicians and pilots (more pilots in fact),” he said. “So, it […]
Lighting system for wind farms tested
Laufer Wind has successfully demonstrated its Aircraft Detection Sight Solution (ADSS), the first-ever trial against a radar-activated obstruction lighting system on a wind farm in the U.S. The FAA and the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) participated in the trial. The ADSS enables wind farms to keep FAA-required obstruction lights off at night, turning […]