The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and National Air Transport Association both issued statements on March 27 welcoming the Obama administration announcement that Randy Babbitt is the president’s choice to head the Federal Aviation Administration. “AOPA welcomes the announcement of Randy Babbitt,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “I have known Randy Babbitt for more than […]
Renovated FBO opens at NEW
Flightline First’s new facility at New Orleans’ Lakefront Airport (NEW) opens at the end of April. The $1.5 million renovation includes a 20,000-square-foot hangar and a complete facility providing high-end FBO services, according to company officials. “Since Katrina, Lakefront has not had a new facility for customers, so it was important to Flightline First to […]
Glasair brings back 1970s pricing
Glasair Aviation is offering six “Two Weeks To Taxi” Sportsman 2+2 aircraft at more than 25% off the normal price on a first-come, first-served basis. For $118,999 customers can build a Sportsman with a 180-hp Lycoming O-360, a Sensenich fixed-pitch propeller and VFR instrument panel through the “Two Weeks to Taxi” program. Upgrade to the […]
Aircraft Spruce East annual super sale
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty East will host its annual Super Sale on Saturday, May 16. The distribution center is located at 452 Dividend Drive in Peachtree City, beside Falcon Field (KFFC). As in the past, Aircraft Spruce will provide free hot dogs and beverages throughout the day. Representatives from a number of leading aviation companies, […]
New company to offer Eclipse maintenance
A group of experienced former Eclipse Aviation workers appears to have launched a company called Eclipse 500 Services to provide maintenance for Eclipse 500 very light jets, according to a report from AIN’s Matt Thurber. According to the company’s website, Eclipse 500 Services is offering maintenance, inspections, service bulletin compliance, EFIS 1.3 downloads, nav databases […]
Mean machine
Lots of pilots will tell you their airplane is a mean machine. Carl Brownd of Centennial, Colo., can show you. A close-up inspection of the air intake on his RV-6 Rocket reveals a fierce, snarling creature. “It’s a pretty mean engine and I decided to have some fun with the intake,” he said when we […]
New GA airport near Orlando in works
The West Orange Airport Authority is once again pushing to build a new GA airport north of Walt Disney World. The Orlando Sentinel reports the airport board also has approved a feasibility study to find possible locations for the airport, expected to cost between $10 million to $50 million to build. The airport would require […]
Indiana’s 2R2 to expand
Planning has begun to expand Indiana’s Hendricks County Airport (2R2). Looking ahead 20 years, proposals would expand the 300-acre airport between Avon and Danville, lengthen the 3,400-foot runway, and add hangars and a second entrance for a passenger terminal area, according to a recent report in the Indianapolis Star. For the full story: Indystar.com/article/20090321/LOCAL05/903210361/1020/LOCAL05
More layoffs at Liberty Aerospace
Liberty Aerospace Inc. laid off another 14 people this week as the weak economy continues to take its toll, according to a report at FloridaToday.com. The Melbourne-based aviation manufacturer laid off 30 workers in January. It now has 32 employees, according to President and CEO Keith Markley. A year ago, it employed 180. But the […]