The news last week that the FAA will delay closing 149 contract control towers should come as a bit of a relief to the folks at SUN ’n FUN, since Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport was among the first slated to close. That meant SUN ’n FUN had to come up with the money to pay controllers […]
Texas airport looks to become seaplane haven
Joey Baker says he never met a pilot who didn’t want a seaplane rating. Working off that premise, he’s hoping that Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport (SLR) in Texas will become a destination for seaplane pilots across the United States. “There’s a big gap in the middle of the United States,” he says he’s been told […]
Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision becoming reality
After years of stagnation, development of Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision SF50 jet is full steam ahead. Introduced at AirVenture in Oshkosh in 2006, the jet’s first flight was in 2008. Then came the economic collapse and the company’s search for new capital, resulting in the sale of Cirrus to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA). With […]
Amendment protects private airstrip owners in Arkansas
The 89th General Assembly of Arkansas recently passed House Bill 1020, which protects private airstrip owners throughout Arkansas from litigation from non-commercial aviation activity on their land. The bill added “aviation” to the other recreational activities listed in the state’s existing Recreational Use Statute. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joe Jett (D) of Clay […]
Beechcraft emerges from Chapter 11
WICHITA, Kan. – Beechcraft, formerly Hawker Beechcraft, has formally emerged from the Chapter 11 process as a new company. The company’s Joint Plan of Reorganization (Plan) was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Feb. 1, and became effective Feb. 15. Beechcraft exits the restructuring process with a dramatically […]
DuPage Airport completes runway extension project
WEST CHICAGO — After six months of construction and a five-year FAA approval process, DuPage Airport has completed construction to extend its secondary runway. The 1,343-foot extension strengthens capabilities at the general aviation facility that serves corporate flight departments and national security operations. Completed in January, the project brings the length of the airport’s secondary […]
Garmin introduces all-digital radar altimeter
Garmin International has introduced the GRA 5500, a high-performance, all-digital radar altimeter for general aviation. Using patent-pending digital signal processing technology, the GRA 5500 works to provide smooth altitude tracking, resulting in a consistent and highly accurate altitude above ground indication, even over the most challenging environments like rough terrain, tree canopies, sand and choppy […]
GPS Innovation Alliance launches
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citing the ever-increasing importance of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to the global economy and infrastructure, a group of GPS advocates have formed the GPS Innovation Alliance, an organization dedicated to furthering GPS innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Members of the Alliance are drawn from a wide variety of fields and businesses that […]
Jet Professionals celebrates 30th anniversary
TETERBORO, N.J. — Jet Professionals, a global aviation staffing company, is celebrating its 30th year in business. The aviation staffing company began as a two-person company in Shelton, Conn., created by a pilot and his colleague who saw the need for crew member staffing in 1983. Jet Aviation acquired the organization in 1996, moving its […]