The numbers can be depressing: The general aviation market is down, pilot starts are down, fuel use is down. And while GA’s alphabet groups are working to change those numbers by advocating for their members, they are only reaching people who are already pilots. “And even people who are in aviation are flying less,” noted […]
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Deliveries up slightly, billings down in 2012
WASHINGTON, DC — Last year, airplane shipments increased just .6%, while billings were down .9%, according to figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). While mixed, the 2012 year-end numbers don’t reflect “the amount of development work in progress in general aviation,” said Brad Mottier, GAMA chairman. “The general aviation segment is poised […]
Wagstaff joins Excalibur 421 team
PASO ROBLES, Calif. — Aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff has joined the Excalibur 421 team. She will be the demonstration pilot and also will be responsible for overseeing the transition training program. The Excalibur 421 features a remanufactured Cessna 421 airframe upgraded with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turboprop engines. It also includes a custom Garmin avionics […]
Eastern Aviation Fuels sponsors scholarship
The Florida Aviation Trade Association (FATA) and Eastern Aviation Fuels, the exclusive distributor of Shell branded aviation fuels in the United States, have established the Gary Steele Scholarship Fund as part of the FATA Scholarship Program. The fund is set up to honor the memory of Gary Steele and support the FATA/Embry Riddle Aeronautical University […]
Accurate fuel gauges for aftermarket Cirrus
REDMOND, Ore. – Pilots are taught from an early age to not trust their fuel gauges. Cies Inc. wants to change that with its TSO’d fuel senders. The Digital Fuel Level System is now available as a retrofit on the Cirrus-line of aircraft (SR20, SR22, SR22TN and SR22T). The system will measure fuel volume within 3% […]
Tickets now available for Thunder in the Valley Airshow
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Advanced tickets to the March 16 and 17 Thunder in the Valley Air Show are now available for sale. “In 2012, we partnered with AttendStar to offer the 24/7 accessibility of online ticket sales and received positive feedback from out-of-town attendees and Facebook fans,” said Phaedra Childers, Event Coordinator. “We’re happy to […]
This ain’t your grandfather’s SUN ’n FUN
Two months from now we’ll all be talking about the SUN ’n FUN International Fly In and Expo in the past tense. It will be behind us, and if history repeats itself, SUN ’n FUN 2013 will be as successful as it has been in the past. This year will be different, however, because this year […]
Revenues, deliveries up at Piper
VERO BEACH, Florida — Piper Aircraft ended 2012 with a 13% jump in revenue, fueled by a 16% rise in deliveries of new aircraft. According to Piper officials, revenue from new aircraft sales in 2012 reached $148,968,967, up from $131,263,539 in 2011. The company delivered 158 aircraft in 2012, up from 136 the previous year. […]
IMC Club introduces the ‘Brown Jacket’ Instrument Mastery Award
A brown (leather) flight jacket will be awarded annually by the IMC Club to one outstanding general aviation instrument pilot for his or her safety, proficiency and contributions in helping other pilots in their quest to “Master the Art of Instrument Navigation.” This recognition will be an award similar to the “green jacket” award in […]