The FAA has issued its final revised inspection authority (IA) renewal policy, which included a broader interpretation of “actively engaged” than the agency originally proposed in 2010. EAA, the Vintage Aircraft Association, and Warbirds of America opposed the original proposed definition because it threatened the renewal of valued part-time IAs, so the groups provided suggested […]
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Sporty’s takes delivery of 2012 Sweepstakes airplane
Sporty’s Sweepstakes airplane for 2012 is a Cessna Skycatcher — but this one is just a little more special. That’s because Sporty’s Sweepstakes Skycatcher is serial #100. “We are thrilled that Cessna reserved this milestone Skycatcher for Sporty’s Sweepstakes,” says Sporty’s President & CEO Michael Wolf. “It’s such a fun and popular airplane — in […]
Montana airstrips protected by judge’s ruling
Last week, a federal judge ruled in favor of both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) in response to a 2009 lawsuit brought against the agency by the Montana Wilderness Society and Western Watersheds Project. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon said the BLM’s management plan for […]
Icon records 143 orders at Oshkosh
Icon Aircraft reports it received 143 deposits for its A5 amphibious Light Sport Aircraft during this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. The new orders take Icon’s order book to position #694, officials note. To celebrate EAA AirVenture and support the Young Eagles, Icon offered a special promotion during the week that lowered the deposit for an […]
LightSquared’s silence on safety ‘baffling’
The failure of communications venture LightSquared to face up to its proposed wireless network’s GPS-jamming threat to aviation safety is “baffling and unacceptable,” said officials with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in a regulatory filing Aug. 15. LightSquared ducked the safety-of-flight question in its most recent […]
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Grand opening of ‘green’ terminal slated
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will host the grand opening of Michigan’s first “green” terminal at Oakland County International Airport (PTK) Tuesday, Aug. 23. The airport’s new terminal features “green” technology such as wind and solar energy, geothermal heating and cooling, LED and fluorescent lighting, advanced insulation, electric car charging stations, and a living […]
ISM control tower hits milestone
The air traffic control tower at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) recently completed its two millionth error-free operation since opening in 1997. To commemorate the occasion, the City of Kissimmee Commission will designate July 2 as “Kissimmee Air Traffic Tower Day,” airport officials said. “The professionalism and outstanding customer service of our tower staff is […]
First flight: Taurus G4
The four-seat electric Taurus G4 had its maiden flight at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh Aug. 12. The aircraft was developed specifically to compete at the next NASA challenge, called CAFE Green Flight Challenge 2011. This year, the competition prize pool amounts to $1.65 million. The aircraft was first presented to the public at […]