News

After World War II Uncle Sam had hundreds of surplus B-17s. The ones that were not scrapped became cargo aircraft or fire bombers. A few were even converted into executive transport. B-17G Serial #44-85790 may have had the most unusual fate of the Boeing brethren as it was converted into the roof of a gas […]

Winners of this year’s General Aviation Awards, which recognize professionals for their contributions to safety and education, are Rich Stowell of Ventura, Calif., Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) of the Year; Gene Hudson of Mission Hills, Calif., Aviation Safety Counselor (ASC) of the Year; Joe Hawkins of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) of the Year; […]

Lycoming has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin 569, which effectively “retires” – to use Lycoming’s word – more than 5,000 crankshafts that the company suspects may be faulty. “Lycoming has continued to analyze crankshafts in service,” the bulletin states. “While there have been no failures in the crankshafts which are the subject of this Service Bulletin, […]

First time buyer? Columbia Aircraft has a new program for you: Columbia IPO, which stands for Initial Purchase Option. The play on words is deliberate, as Columbia officials say buying a new airplane is an investment. “All too often, first-time buyers purchase an aircraft similar to their trainer so they feel comfortable – six months […]

The first kit-built, turbine-powered, two-place helicopter prototype received its Experimental Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA earlier this month. The HeloWerks WASP was first flown at Sun ‘n Fun last year.

The Javelin Jet prototype jet recently made its first gear-up test flight. The flight took place out of Javelin’s factory at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, Colo. The Javelin is a two-place model designed as executive transport and a military trainer. Initial customer deliveries are slated for 2008.

Mooney Airplane Co. recently delivered its 11,000th production aircraft, an Ovation2 GX. The milestone airplane, handed over to Dennis Strigl at the company’s Kerrville, Texas, delivery center, is equipped with the Garmin G1000. Mooney delivered its first airplane in 1948, from its initial location in Wichita, Kansas. A total of 66 were delivered during the […]

Your chances of watching Sport Pilot TV have increased. Producers of the weekly program about the sport of flying all kinds of aircraft, have inked a deal with Time Warner Cable, which will bring the show to 14 million more subscribers. This puts Sport Pilot TV into nearly 40 million homes. Don’t have it yet? […]

Warbird Adventures, of Kissimmee, Fla., is thriving again. Although currently operating out of tent-like temporary shelters, a new, 10,000-square-foot hangar soon will replace the one destroyed by last year’s hurricanes. Warbird Adventures offers hands-on flights and sightseeing rides in North American AT-6 and SNJ advanced trainers and in Bell 47 helicopters, familiar to M*A*S*H watchers. […]