Eclipse Aviation’s next two FAA conforming Eclipse 500 very light jets, N502EA and N504EA, have completed wing-mate and are standing on their own gear as they approach their first flight tests later this quarter. The two will join N503EA, which has been running flight tests since Dec. 31, to complete the Eclipse 500 FAA certification […]
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Citation Mustang development on track
Cessna employees mated the wing to the fuselage of the Citation Mustang prototype earlier this month. The entire process took less than 20 minutes. The wing-mate is the latest in a long list of program milestones for the company’s newest jet. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the outstanding progress of the Citation Mustang certification […]
Seaplane pilots dispute proposed manatee refuge in Florida
The Seaplane Pilots Association is disputing the findings of an environmental assessment that led to a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a manatee refuge in Lee County, Florida. The proposed refuge, which surrounds Pine Island and includes Estero Bay, is to take the place of a virtually identical state refuge eliminated […]
Does size matter?
Airbus recently unveiled its A380, which boasts more than 500 seats. But how does the A380 stack up against other large aircraft, such as the Hughes Flying Boat? The Flying Boat fuselage is shorter than the A380, but the Hughes design has a wider wingspan, which makes sense when you recall that the Hughes aircraft […]
New FAA seaplane handbook available
Seaplane pilots can now download a new training handbook from the FAA. The new Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski-Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook is packed with information covering the basic skills necessary for flying seaplanes, skiplanes and float or ski-equipped helicopters. It is aimed at pilots who already have their private certificates, but it also is beneficial […]
A star-studded evening
The Evergreen Aviation Museum is rolling out the red carpet Feb. 27 to celebrate the 11 Academy Award nominations received by “”The Aviator.”” The film, which has already won three Golden Globe awards, depicts the life of Howard Hughes and his contributions to modern aviation. The movie includes Evergreen Aviation Museum’s largest attraction, the “”Spruce […]
Seaplane Pilots’ Code of Conduct released
A recently released Seaplane Pilots’ Model Code of Conduct presents industry wisdom, advice and recommendations for seaplane pilots to improve airmanship and flight safety, as well as sustain and improve the seaplane community. Released by the same folks who put together the Aviators’ Model Code of Conduct, the seaplane code is a voluntary, ethical code […]
Washington’s Olympia Airport to build new GA hangars
By this time next year, the Olympia Regional Airport (OLM) in Washington may be sporting some new general aviation hangars. The Port of Olympia has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of approximately 4.8 acres on the GA side of the airport. “We have a waiting list of about 28 people right […]
Richard Newell, co-founder O&N Aircraft Modifications, dies
Richard W. Newell, co-founder and former president of O&N Aircraft Modifications on the Seamans Airport in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 17. A native of Caldwell, Texas, Newell had a long career in the aircraft modification business, working for Riley Aircraft, and later RAM Aircraft, in Waco, Texas. In 1982 he relocated to Pennsylvania, where he […]

