After the successful conclusion of its test flight program, Pipistrel has released its newest aircraft, the Pipistrel Alpha Trainer. The name “Pipistrel Alpha Trainer” describes the exact purpose of this new aircraft designed for flying schools, company officials said. The aircraft has been engineered with the “essence of training” as its primary design goal, they […]
Indoor Free-flight Club initial meeting slated
The Central Florida Indoor Free-flight Club, which promotes the building and flying of all sorts of indoor free-flight model airplanes, whether an original design for high performance competition or kit models for scale or sport, will hold its initial meeting this Saturday on the SUN ’n FUN campus at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport. “If you are […]
AvShop acquired by PilotMall.com
PilotMall.com recently acquired AvShop, the original online aviation enthusiast and pilot supply shop. PilotMall.com has taken over operations and now carries AvShop’s most popular and unique inventory in addition to PilotMall.com products available through its online store and two retail locations. “AvShop was a pioneer in e-commerce in 1996. It was the first aviation supplier […]
Ex-Im Bank approves loan guarantee for Cessna and Bell Helicopter exports
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has approved a guarantee of a $350 million loan to provide the funds to assist Textron Inc. in financing the exports by two of its companies, Cessna Aircraft Co. and Bell Helicopter Textron. The guaranteed lender is PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed loan […]
Pentastar Aviation approved for access to DCA
Pentastar Aviation’s executive terminal operation at Oakland County International Airport (PTK) in Waterford, Mich., has been granted approval as a Gateway FBO to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) through the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP). Pentastar is currently the only executive terminal facility in the Metro Detroit area approved for departures flying directly […]
Season opener Splash-In slated
The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association will hold it season opener Splash-In May 19 at Lake Whatcom. Officials note this is a special occasion, long in the planning process, as a network of organizations have been putting together a plan where seaplanes could become an important part of the area’s emergency response resources. “Learn how the […]
Much ado about nothing
LeRoy Brown should hate me, but he doesn’t. He should at least be mad at me, but he isn’t — and for that I’m eternally grateful. You see, I met LeRoy in the worst of circumstances for an editor. We had published a story from a freelancer that told of the long-ago exploits of a […]
Aviation legend Evelyn ‘Mama Bird’ Johnson dies
Aviation legend Evelyn Bryan Johnson of Morristown, Tenn., died May 10, according to a report in the Knoxville Knoxville News Sentinel. She was 102. Known as “Mama Bird,” Johnson is said to have logged more flight hours — more than 57,000 — trained more pilots, and given more FAA exams than any other pilot on […]
DWI charge against former FAA administrator dismissed
The Driving While Intoxicated case that led to Randy Babbitt’s abrupt resignation as the FAA’s leader has been dismissed, according to a report at AOPA.org. Babbitt told reporters he bears no ill will against the police officer who arrested him for driving while intoxicated in December, after a Fairfax, Va., judge ruled May 10 that […]