After years of planning and months of development, the south parallel runway at Minnesota’s Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) reopened Nov. 13 with an extended length of 5,000 feet. “Improvements to Flying Cloud Airport represent an important investment in the future of the region,” said Jack Lanners, chairman of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “A 5,000-foot runway […]
First SkyCatcher to be delivered this year
Cessna will deliver the first Model 162 Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft to the first customer of the model later this year. The customer, Rose Pelton, wife of the company’s chairman, president and CEO, will use the LSA to pursue her private pilot’s license. “When I first saw the Skycatcher mockup at Oshkosh in 2007, I […]
Avidyne unveils new autopilot
Avidyne Corp. has unveiled the DFC90, its new attitude-based Digital Flight Control System and Entegra Release 8.0 as an upgrade specifically for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft with Avidyne’s Entegra Flight Deck Systems. The DFC90 adds the precision of an attitude-based flight control system and Avidyne’s safety-enhancing Flight Envelope Protection capability, according to company officials, […]
EZ Flap now available
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty now offers the “EZ Flap” FAA STC-PMA manual flap handle assist device, allowing pilots with the old ”Johnson Bar” flap control to easily reach the flap handle without leaning down in the cockpit or taking their focus off of flying the airplane. The device is FAA approved for Cessna 170-185 aircraft, […]
Echelon STC for Mooneys certified
Lycoming Engines recently received FAA Type and Production certification for its IO-390-A3A6 engine, followed by an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), the second STC earned as part of Lycoming’s Echelon STC program. The IO-390-A3A6 provides more horsepower as well as improved climb and cruise performance, while maintaining the same footprint as the IO-360 engine, according […]
Airbags available for Barons, Bonanzas
AmSafe Seatbelt Airbags are now available for the pilot and co-pilot seats on Baron and Bonanza aircraft. Hawker Beechcraft Corp.’s (HBC) parts and distribution organization, RAPID, is taking orders for the airbags, which can be installed at any AmSafe approved service center. Statistics show that most crash events are survivable, especially when head and neck […]
Flying school to open at Flabob
The flying school at Flabob Airport in Riverside, Calif., will reopen under new management Dec. 1. Dave Rogers of Rogers Aviation will move his established flying school from its long-time site at Chino Airport. Rogers, who has been flying for 54 years, has logged over 21,000 hours. He will bring with him his fleet, including […]
Veteran’s Day celebration at Flabob draws thousands
More than 3,000 people turned up for the free activities at Flabob Airport that honored America’s veterans. The day was a busy one, according to airport officials, who note the flight line quickly filled up with aircraft, including a number of warbirds from the Planes of Fame Museum and Classic Rotors. A pair of F-16s […]
Helping the media get it right
When aviation-related events and issues arise, Boston’s WBZ-TV 4, owned and operated by CBS, often turns to Nashua Flight Simulator in Nashua, N.H., for expert advice and commentary. So far this year company officials have commented on everything from the “Miracle on the Hudson” to the emergency landing of a Piper Warrior on a major […]