Washington National Airport (DCA) will reopen to GA, but only for “certain precleared” operations, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials. The Washington, D.C. airport was closed to GA after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Congress mandated that DHS develop a security plan to permit GA operations at DCA as part of the […]
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WASP museum seeks charter members
Membership for the proposed Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) museum now exceeds 1,000, but organizers want more charter members. The National WASP World War II Museum is slated to be built at Avenger Field (SWW) at Sweetwater, Texas, where the bulk of WASP training took place, according to Nancy Parrish, executive director. At first the […]
Symphony 160 awarded Type Certificate
The FAA has awarded Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI) a Type Certificate for the Symphony 160. The two-place, high-wing aircraft is produced in Canada and sold in the United States through dealerships. “The U.S. market is one of great importance for Symphony Aircraft Industries,” said Paul Costanzo, SAI president and CEO. “With the FAA Type Certificate […]
Quest Aircraft debuts Kodiak
With a name like “Kodiak,” it is only fitting that Quest Aircraft Co. chose the Alaska State Aviation Trade Show and Conference in Anchorage for the first public display of its latest airplane design. The high-wing, single engine turboprop attracted many an admiring stare in the hangar during the three-day event. The 10-place, IFR-equipped airplane […]
Next-generation Zeppelins launch
The future of reliable wireless communications may soon be — literally — up in the air. Sanswire Networks LLC, a subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp., has developed the Stratellite, an unmanned high-altitude rigid airship that will provide a stationary platform for transmitting wireless communications services. “We see ourselves as a replacement for low altitude satellites […]
Flying Heritage Collection to highlight Arlington Fly-In
Some of the finest vintage warbirds in the Pacific Northwest will make their public debut during the Northwest Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In and Sport Aviation Convention in Arlington, Wash., July 6-10. The aircraft, part of the Flying Heritage Collection owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, are normally kept in hangars at the Arlington Municipal Airport […]
Oregon Aero named No. 1 growth company
Oregon Aero, Inc. has been named No. 1 for growth in 2004 among medium-sized companies by the Portland (Ore.) Business Alliance. Oregon Aero’s 133% increase in gross revenues, combined with its 106% increase in employment, places it foremost among the state’s top three medium-sized growth companies. The family-owned business, headed by Mike and Jude Dennis, […]
FAA debuts online human factors training course
The FAA has launched an online training program dedicated to the importance of human factors. The course was developed for FAA employees, but is available to the general public. It consists of 10 self-guided lessons. “Improvements to aviation safety and capacity are dependent on developing a national aviation system that is not only technically sophisticated, […]
Cessna Mustang makes first flight
Cessna’s newest entry-level bizjet, the Citation Mustang, made its maiden flight April 23. The 141-minute flight from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita began with a climb to 11,000 feet where various stability and control tests were performed, including cycling of the landing gear, flaps, and speed brakes. The flight concluded at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport. […]