News

A 70th anniversary Cub convoy is planned to this year’s Sun ‘n Fun. The first convoy, sponsored by William T. Piper, Sr., to the Miami Air Maneuvers in 1936, included 82 Cubs. This year’s convoy will convene at Plant City Municipal Airport (PCM), where it will take off for a mass flight to the fly-in […]

The better you plan, the better your day will be at a fly-in. Follow these simple guidelines to enhance your air show experience: ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT A good pair of walking shoes is a must. You will spend a lot of time walking on asphalt, so make sure your insoles are in good condition. Socks should […]

Thielert AG just bought Superior Air Parts, a PMA manufacturer that recently launched its own piston engine, the Vantage Engine, the first to be certified in the U.S. in 50 years. “With its outstanding products and established brand name, Superior Air Parts is the ideal acquisition to help us enhance our market position,” said Frank […]

You put in hundreds of hours getting your plane from “project” status to showpiece and now you’re ready to take it to a fly-in for exhibition. From your arrival to departure, there are many steps you can take to ensure your plane’s safety at a fly-in. Let’s start at the beginning: Be aware of the […]

Eclipse Aviation has begun production on the first Eclipse 500 jet to be delivered to a customer. That customer, David Crowe, was there at the beginning, engaging the friction stir welding of one of the jet’s cockpit side panels and drilling window attachment holes in the cockpit frame. The jet will be delivered this summer. […]

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 […]