Owners and pilots of Zodiac aircraft may want to keep them on the ground for awhile. On Nov. 7 the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) on variants of Zodiac CH601XL and CH650 airplanes because of several in-flight structural failures. In response, Zenith Aircraft Co. has developed an upgrade package to address the […]
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Oral History Center gives history a future
Kissimmee Air Museum, located at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), is initiating an Oral History program to record the Greatest Generation’s history. “During World War II we had between 13 million to 16 million men and women in uniform with about 6 million in combat,” said Tom Mazzoli, Oral History interviewer. “Today there are less […]
NextGen ADS-B technology now available for pilots in Gulf of Mexico
NavWorx, Inc. now has available its ADS600-series receivers, which provide display of TIS-B traffic and FIS-B weather information. The ADS600 line of Universal Access Transceivers (UAT) are designed to capture and display broadcast information from Air Traffic Control, enhancing situational awareness for pilots and improving air traffic safety, according to company officials. The NavWorx receivers […]
AOPA lobbying efforts top $770,000
According to the Associated Press, AOPA spent $770,000 in the third quarter lobbying on behalf of general aviation. The news service said an amended form filed last month with the House clerk’s office reported the pilot group lobbied not only Congress on such issues as user fees, greenhouse emissions, and reauthorization of the FAA, but […]
VGT pilots thwart ban on experimentals
Pilots in North Las Vegas prove you can fight City Hall, taking pro-active steps to stop a federal ban on experimental aircraft at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) and participating on a committee that has come up with recommendations that will benefit pilots, the airport and its neighbors. The attempt to limit experimental aircraft at […]
GA shipments fall 46% so far this year
In the first three quarters of 2009, total general aviation (GA) airplane shipments fell 46.8%, from 2,982 units in 2008 to 1,587 units so far this year. Total industry billings are down 23.5%, to $13.8 billion, according to figures just released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. “These shipment and billings figures are a result […]
Harriet Alexander Field recognized for contribution to GA
Harriet Alexander Field (ANK) in Salida, Colo., was recently recognized by the Colorado Pilots Association for its contribution to general aviation, according to a story in the Mountain Mail. Carl Hasselbrink, airport manager, and his staff personnel received the recognition for their efforts to accommodate needs of visitors. “I’ve always felt an airport is a […]
Group formed to fight FAA’s opposition to hangar homes
A new organization, ThoughTheFence.org (TTF), made its debut last week at the AOPA Aviation Summit. The organization has been formed by pilots to fight the FAA’s prohibition of hangar homes at publicly-funded airports. “The FAA’s Airport Compliance Manual (ACM), dated Sept. 30, 2009, clearly labels all hangar homes as incompatible adjacent airport land use,” said […]
Cessna extends ‘deal of the decade’
Officials at Cessna Aircraft Co. report an increase in piston aircraft sales over the past two months, thanks in part to sales programs and tax incentives set to expire at the end of the year. “Retail sales across our piston aircraft product line have been measurably stronger in September and October versus earlier this year […]