A five-person FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) recently concluded a two-day visit to Zenith Aircraft Co. in Mexico, Missouri. In a letter dated June 24, Terry Allen, manager of the FAA Production and Airworthiness Division, stated that the Evaluation Team determined that the kit will “allow an amateur builder to meet the major portion […]
News
Georgia Air Challenge set for July
The Atlanta Aero Club has launched the Georgia Air Challenge, which encourages all pilots in the state to take to the skies during July and help stimulate an aviation economic recovery. According to Atlanta Aero Club President Steve Champness, the challenge consists of a pilot flying at least three hours during the month of July […]
Cirrus completes merger with Chinese company
Cirrus Aircraft and China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA) have completed their merger. Cirrus Aircraft joins China’s leading general aviation product and services company to form a worldwide general aviation enterprise, company officials note. “We’re very excited to have joined forces with CAIGA,” said Brent Wouters, Cirrus president and Chief Executive Officer. “This […]
ICON Aircraft closes $25 million round of investment capital
ICON Aircraft has closed a $25 million round of equity funding, which will fund the company through the completion of its engineering development program, manufacturing setup, and the beginning of production of its A5 amphibious sport plane. The financing was led by U.S. and U.K. venture investors Satyen Patel and Bart Becht, who have expertise […]
Minot Aero Center open despite record flooding
Minot Aero Center, at North Dakota’s Minot International Airport (MOT), perseveres despite serious weather conditions causing record flooding in area. Officials at MOT issued a statement Tuesday saying the airport, perched atop a hill on the north part of town, will remain fully operational. “Our dedicated, 24-hour staff are prepared to service incoming traffic as […]
Smyrna Air Center hosts NATA president
On June 16, James Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and his wife, Holly, visited Smyrna Air Center at Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport (MQY) in Tennessee. The visit is part of a two-week tour of FBOs around the country. Coyne spent the afternoon with senior staff, toured the facility and had Tennessee BBQ […]
AOPA president at Wichita Aero Club
The Wichita Aero Club’s July luncheon features Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Craig Fuller as the speaker. It will be Fuller’s second visit to the Wichita Aero Club. He made his first official public appearance as AOPA president at the January 2009 meeting of the club. His debut attracted a record crowd of […]
Eclipse gets FAA nod for fire suppression system component
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. has received FAA certification and approval for the newly redesigned canister to be used with the PhostrEx fire suppression system on the Eclipse Jet. The new canister, an all-welded design, stores contents at a lower pressure, resolving leakage problems experienced by the original design, according to company officials. The improved PhostrEx canister […]
Air Race Classic team continues to troubleshoot problems
GAN contributing writer Amelia Reiheld is participating in the Air Race Classic with partner Linda Keller. Here’s their latest blog post, Electrical gremlins persist — and lots of miles yet to go: Our mechanic friend, the so-kind Rocky Rexrod of Dumas, Texas, had his head buried in our airplane until midnight last night. He was […]