Public television is about to unleash one of the most fascinating series ever produced about the history of military aviation. Coming to a PBS station near you on Nov. 8, “Warplane” sweeps across the entire panorama of military flight, including the innovators, inventors and technologists, as well as the airplanes themselves. The four-part series is […]
News
Taylorcraft Aviation LCC has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The paperwork, filed Oct. 13, lists 23 creditors who are seeking a combined total of $847,400. The city of Brownsville, Texas, is listed as the largest creditor with a total of $108,000 owed for back rent for city-owned hangar space at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. Other creditors include the Internal Revenue Service, First National […]
In a class of its own: Diamond’s D-JET touted as a “personal time machine”
“Is this an elegant airplane or what?” With those words, Marion Blakey, FAA administrator, introduced Diamond Aircraft’s newest model, the D-JET, at this summer’s AirVenture. Those words must have been music to the ears of D-JET’s creator, Christian Dries, Diamond’s CEO and a 7,000-hour pilot who’s passion is creating the planes he wants to fly. […]
PiperJet steals the show at NBAA convention
Piper Aircraft’s newly announced PiperJet was the star of the show at this year’s National Business Aviation Association convention, held last month in Orlando. Revealed shortly before the convention to a public anticipating it eagerly, it quickly became the “must-see” airplane even though it was a mockup and not due for certification until 2009. Indeed, […]
TBM gathering breaks records
Earlier this fall, the TBM Owners and Pilot Association (TBMOPA), made up of EADS Socata TBM 700 and TBM 850 owners, held a record-breaking annual convention in Cœur d’Alene, Idaho. More than 70 TBM aircraft — representing almost 24% of the privately owned TBM fleet — flew in for the event, making it the biggest […]
Traveling in style
If you’re going to make the rounds at Oshkosh — or any other airshow — follow Tyler Eldrup’s lead. Tyler, 4, from Deer Park, Wis., rode around the AirVenture grounds this summer in a stroller styled after an Air Force fighter. Tyler’s father built the stroller which, we were told, also can be converted into a […]
The Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“I think everyone is scratching their head, wondering how it is possible that an aircraft can be buzzing around Manhattan. It’s virtually the Wild West. There is no regulation at all, other than ‘don’t run into anything.’” — Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., who has been lobbying for rule changes since 2004. “We have very few […]
Cessna’s LSA makes first flight
Cessna’s entry into the Light Sport Aircraft race made its first flight Oct. 13. The proof-of-concept aircraft launched from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and flew for approximately 30 minutes. Company officials said the aircraft flew at speeds in excess of 110 knots. Cessna Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton proudly noted that this proof-of-concept […]
US Unlimited Aerobatic Team selected
The new US Unlimited Aerobatic Team was selected earlier this month. Of the 97 contestants who competed in the National Aerobatic Championships in Sherman, Texas, in September, 11 were chosen to represent the USA at next summer’s World Aerobatic Championship. They are: Debby Rihn-Harvey, Michael Racy, David Martin, Melissa Andrzejewski, Robert Armstrong, Chandy Clanton, Dan […]