A group of private airport owners and aviation enthusiasts recently formed the Virginia Airport Owners Association (VAOA) to address issues concerning privately-owned, private use, airports. The organization, thought to be the first of its kind in the nation, will provide a united voice for this segment of the aviation industry. There are 226 privately owned, […]
TBM Avenger lands on fire, pilot escapes
Terry Rush, long a pilot of World War II aircraft, was critically burned after one wing of the TBM Avenger he was flying burst into flames during takeoff at the Millville (NJ) Municipal Airport (KMIV), Saturday evening, March 7. Rush made a dramatic emergency landing and escape, but the TBM was destroyed by the fire. […]
Smart Recovery System debuts
Aviation Safety Resources has filed a patent for a sensor-based Smart Recovery System. Applying sensor systems currently available in commercial and military aircraft to general aviation aircraft, the Smart Recovery System evaluates an emergency situation, identifies the devices and systems available on the aircraft, and then automatically deploys the appropriate device and/or system in the […]
Easier starting for the 912S
Bully Hawk has released a “Soft Start” option for 912S operators that reduces the common kickback at starting from this high-compression engine, reducing wear and tear on the engine, gearbox, and airframe. Soft Start works by retarding the ignition timing at startup only and does not affect the operation of the engine at any other […]
Roswell medical services base opens
Southwest Med Evac has opened a new air medical services base in Roswell, N.M. The base will provide air medical transport services to patients and the medical communities of Roswell, Carlsbad, Artesia, Portales, Santa Rosa and Ruidoso. Transportation will be provided from a new Eurocopter Super B-3. The aircraft and flight team are based at […]
Mead & Hunt grows
Mead & Hunt, an employee-owned architectural and engineering firm that specializes in aviation, increased its staff by about 15% in 2008. To accommodate this growth Mead & Hunt’s office has moved to the Milwaukee County Research Park in the City of Wauwatosa. From its new location, the company will continue to offer transportation, planning, municipal, […]
NASAO opposes LASP
The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has filed comments in opposition to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) proposed rule because it is “not in the public interest.” NASAO also urged the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to retract the flawed rule in its entirety. NASAO further […]
FAA funding bill passes House committee
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 915) on March 5. The funding bill now moves to the next committee. “This is an important first step, and we strongly support this bill,” said AOPA President Craig L. Fuller immediately after the vote, “but with the Obama administration’s call […]
There’s competition for Eclipse assets
A Delaware bankruptcy judge approved – at least verbally – a motion to convert Eclipse Aviation‘s bankruptcy from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7, during a March 5 hearing. His approval, if written and signed, means the company’s assets probably will be auctioned. Phil Friedman, CEO of Wichita-based Harlow Aerostructures, already has formed New Eclipse Acquisition […]