The Eclipse 500 very light jet has completed the airframe static testing required for its FAA certification. The FAA cleared the Eclipse for an initial 10,000 hour lifetime, significantly more than is typically approved so early. Static testing, which tests airframe loads to the designed maximum and, in some instances, to failure, was conducted throughout […]
News
NBAA Convention moves to Orlando
The National Business Aviation Association convention, originally scheduled for New Orleans, has been relocated to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The show also has been moved up a week, to Nov. 9-11. Aircraft will be on static display at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL).
Garrett/Piedmont consolidates engine work
A recent announcement by Garrett Piedmont Hawthorne that it is closing engine repair facilities at MacArthur Airport on Long Island, N.Y., Columbus, Ohio, and Springfield, Ill., spares operations at Augusta, Ga., Houston and Los Angeles, but makes no mention of Charlottesville, Va., where the firm completed a multi-million dollar hangar in May. Garrett plans to […]
“Insuring” student pilots’ conduct
Avemco, the only direct writer of general aviation insurance in the U.S., is sponsoring production of “The Student Pilots” Model Code of Conduct,” intended to improve pilot safety, flying excellence, and the general aviation community. Avemco is mailing the publication to every new student pilot, said Jim Lauerman, executive vice president and chief underwriter. “Avemco […]
More turbines are coming
Deliveries of new turbine business airplanes shot up more than 31% in this year’s first half, compared to last year’s, according to a report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Exactly 100 more business jets and turboprops were delivered in the first six months of 2005 than during the same period last year, according […]
Construction begins on new terminal for Space Coast airport
Florida’s Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority has received more than $4.6 million in grants for a new corporate aviation terminal. The bulk of the funds, $3.3 million, is from the Florida Department of Transportion. The remaining $1.25 million is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Construction is expected to begin this month.
The South’s best airports
Just about every pilot has a favorite airport, and most have their own ideas of what makes one stand out from the others. A few months ago, we asked our readers to nominate the best airport in the South. Several named Brunswick/Oak Island Airport (SUT) at Southport, N.C., as the clear winner. “Howie Franklin and […]
FAA fines Chicago for Meigs destruction
The FAA is demanding the city of Chicago pay a $33,000 civil penalty for the destruction of Merrill C. Meigs Field (CGX). The waterfront airport was destroyed two years ago when Mayor Richard Daley ordered heavy equipment to carve large Xs into the runway under the cover of night, rendering the airport useless and stranding […]
GAMA reports increased deliveries
Deliveries of new turbine business airplanes shot up more than 31% in this year’s first half, compared to last year’s, according to a report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Exactly 100 more business jets and turboprops were delivered in the first six months of 2005 than during the same time period last year. […]