The preowned aircraft market in April 2021 had double the deals of a year ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic effectively shut down the world. Members of the International Aircraft Dealers Association closed 106 deals in April 2021, compared to just 53 in April 2020.
First flight for side-by-side Bearhawk
The first flight of the first Bearhawk Companion, which features side-by-side seating, confirmed the design’s cruise speed of 145 mph. It took Dave Lenart an estimated 1,000 hours over 10 months to complete the kit.
Airforms wins FAA nod for replacement ladders for Caravans
The Airforms replacement covers the crew ladders for the pilot’s and co-pilot’s sides for most Cessna Caravan C208 and C208B/EX models. The ladders are produced with bushing material in the upper and lower arm assemblies to eliminate galvanic corrosion issues, according to company officials.
Picture of the Day: Off to play
Terry Hayes submitted this photo and note: “Chris Zinger’s Cessna 182 taking off from Calaveras County Airport heading to the lake.”
Is your CFI the best?
Anyone who has taken flight training — initial or recurrent — during the past 12 months is asked to “candidly assess the process and rate their individual experience” in the survey, according to AOPA officials.
RVSM offered as factory option on Piper M500/M600
Operating in RVSM airspace allows Piper M500/M600 pilots to gain fuel savings, lower their carbon footprint, increase range, and fly above weather, according to Piper officials.
Supervan STC approved allowing choice of propeller
Both the composite and aluminum propellers were designed specifically for the Honeywell 950 shaft horsepower TPE331 engines by Hartzell’s engineering team for the Supervan-modified 208 and 208B Caravans. The result is a “true 200+ knot airplane, with a 40% reduction in takeoff roll and a substantially greater rate of climb,” according to company officials.
Picture of the Day: The skies of Morelos
Alan Anaya submitted this photo and note: “It was the first time I had seen a Piper Cub J-3 flying. And I did not want to miss the opportunity to take a photo of him. I thank Jorge Cordero for inviting me to see him fly in Morelos, Mexico.”
On the path to a less frustrating medical
Increased overtime, additional personnel, and the ability to track your medical through the FAA special issuance process are just some of the actions taken by the new federal air surgeon to make the medical process less frustrating for pilots.