Last year saw aviation records set that will be hard to beat, if not utterly impossible. The biggest story, which made news all over the world, was Steve Fossett’s non-stop, unrefueled solo flight around the world in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, but there were other, less dramatic records set. Most may endure longer, for Fossett […]
News
GA contributes more than $150 billion to U.S. economy
A new study demonstrates GA’s value to the U.S. economy, pegging its contributions at more than $150 billion. The study, commission by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), shows that GA’s contribution is significantly higher than past estimates, indicating its increasing role as a provider of […]
Cessna exploring LSA
Cessna is exploring the idea of producing a Light Sport Aircraft. Earlier this month, company officials said they are studying the feasibility of adding an LSA to the Cessna line up. Cessna plans to unveil a proof of concept aircraft at EAA AirVenture next month. The idea is to get feedback from the aviation community. […]
Hurriance Katrina delivers $44 million to Gulfport Biloxi
Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport in Mississippi, one of the airports damaged by Hurricane Katrina, will receive $44 million to repair its terminal building, taxiways, cargo facility, general aviation facility, and rental car facility. The FAA is not requiring the airport to provide any matching funds to qualify for the grant, allowing for faster repairs as […]
Sky Arrow delivers options for disabled pilots
The Sky Arrow has become the first LSA produced for the U.S. market with a disabled pilot option. Manufactured by Iniziative Industriali Italiane (3I) in Italy, the Sky Arrow’s disabled pilot option allows pilots who cannot operate the rudder pedals with their feet to apply yaw input with a left side-stick that also includes a […]
eXtreme Airshow Challenge suspends operations
ACAP’s eXtreme Airshow Challenge has “temporarily suspended” operations. The challenge, dubbed NASCAR of the air, pitted aerobatic pilots against each other in airshows across the country, with the winning pilots earning points. The pilot with the most points at the end of the 12-city tour was to be named champion. Operations were suspended earlier this […]
Stupid human tricks
A student at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H., is in trouble with both school officials and the FAA for allegedly buzzing the campus in a Piper Cherokee. According to school officials, the student, whose name was not released, circled the campus for approximately 30 minutes at an altitude of no more than 300 feet above […]
Mooney unveils new Ovation3
Mooney Airplane Co. has unveiled its second new airplane in less than 60 days with the introduction of the 310-horsepower Ovation3. At Sun ‘n Fun in April, the Kerrville, Texas-based company unveiled the turbo-normalized Acclaim. The Ovation3 offers all the features of the Ovation2 GX, but with a higher horsepower normally aspirated engine that provides […]
Cirrus owners support Red Tail Project
The Red Tail Project, a not-for-profit organization created to restore a P-51C Mustang and keep the history of the Tuskegee Airmen alive, recently received an unexpected financial boost from the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). It happened during the fourth annual migration of Cirrus pilots to the Cirrus Design Corp. headquarters in Duluth, Minn. […]