LSA manufacturer Flight Design plans to unveil one of the first “green” projects for light aircraft powerplants at next month’s Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. “Rising oil prices and environmental regulations will begin to force airplane manufacturers to rethink propulsion systems. Flight Design is sure that in the long term, research developments for electric or hydrogen […]
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New amphibians rely on historic designs
EARLY SUCCESS: The Loening COA1 was the second prototype of this amphibian for the Army. This photo was probably taken at McCook Field near Dayton, Ohio. Photo courtesy Museum of Flight. By DENNIS PARKS It was recently reported that an aging fleet of seaplanes is prompting several companies to come forward with new or renewed […]
Development approved next to SCK
“We lost this one.” That’s how one California pilot describes the recent news that a 909-acre mixed-use development will soon break ground less than two miles from the Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK). The development, known as Tidewater Crossing, will be built adjacent to the airport. It will contain a mixture of single and multi-family homes […]
What oil should you use?
Many pilots want to know what oil to use and where to get it. To answer these questions accurately, I sent a questionnaire to the four main oil companies that supply lubricants to the general aviation industry. I received nice replies from Shell and Phillips, a note from BP that said the company was changing […]
National Training Aircraft Symposium slated
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will convene the 2009 National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS 2009) March 16-19 on its Daytona Beach campus. The theme of the annual event is “Preparing Students for the Future: Safety Management Systems and NextGen Performance-based Operations.” The first day of the symposium will show exhibits by manufacturers of training airplanes, flight training […]
McGill named flight instructor of the year for Western Pacific Region
Chuck McGill was recently named by the FAA as the Western Pacific Region 2009 CFI of the Year. McGill, who has been teaching for more than 28 years, has logged more than 11,000 flight hours. He holds the designation of Master CFI and has served as a volunteer safety counselor for the FAA San Diego […]
Women in Aviation conference ends in optimism
The theme for the 20th Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference, which ended Feb. 28, was “A New Approach for Your Tomorrow,” but the conference’s underlying themes unquestionably were jobs and the economy. Despite furloughs, fears and dwindling retirement funds, conference-goers appeared to be full of determined optimism about their futures, attendees reported. WAI […]
GAMA calls on TSA to collaborate
In comments filed Feb. 27 on the Transportation Security Administration‘s (TSA) proposal to create a Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) for private flying, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) again called on the TSA to create a dedicated rulemaking group to further develop the proposal. “We are more than willing to work with the TSA […]
AOPA says LASP infringes on citizens’ rights
The Transportation Security Administration‘s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) is a threat to American citizens’ rights of privacy and freedom of travel, according to Andy Cebula, AOPA‘s executive vice president for government affairs. “It is an unreasonably expansive and intrusive response to an undocumented and unproven security threat,” Cebula said on Feb. 27. “The […]