A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says the latest Congressional proposal to privatize air traffic control would add to America’s budget deficit by nearly $100 billion. “$100 billion. Really?” asks Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Mark Baker. “So here’s how it shapes up: The legislation would hand over the air traffic […]
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475,000 hours of flight training
When Mike Jones, Chief Flight Instructor, and his student Kristine Beard taxied onto the runway Aug. 16, 2017, at the Central Flying Service Flight School, they made Arkansas aviation history. That flying lesson marked 475,000 hours of flight training at Arkansas’ oldest and one of the nation’s longest continually operated flight schools. When Claud Holbert, 29, […]
Rotorcraft deliveries take off
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports that the rotorcraft industry delivered 465 aircraft in the first six months of 2017, up 16.8% compared to last year. The value of the deliveries was $1.9 billion compared to $1.5 billion in 2016. “The second quarter shipment and billing numbers provide a positive marker for the rotorcraft […]
Belite Chipper posts performance gains
The performance numbers for Chipper, the experimental two-place airplane kit from Belite Aircraft, have been updated, providing gains in airspeed, climb rate, and range over previously released figures. Chipper is also benefiting from a gross weight increase, according to company officials. “We worked hard to make aerodynamic improvements in Chipper, and they have paid off […]
Does your state offer aviation-themed license plates?
Many people buy vanity license plates to show their aviation pride. AV8R or RAMPRAT or I FLY or hundreds of other clever plates are seen in airport parking lots around the country. Some states allow residents to go one step further by offering aviation-themed license plates. Washington State — where I live — introduced an […]
NBAA to Appeals Court: Santa Monica agreement must be vacated
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined with five other groups and businesses to file a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, challenging the legality of a “settlement agreement” between the FAA and the city of Santa Monica to close the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO). The highly […]
Wings Over North Georgia Air Show Oct. 21-22
The United States Navy’s Blue Angels and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team headline the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show at the Russell Regional Airport in Rome, Georgia, on Oct 21-22, 2017. The Navy’s flight demonstration squadron’s six F/A-18 jets and the Marines’ KC-130T, affectionately known as “Fat Albert,” will perform actual military maneuvers before the […]
Aviation has $44 billion economic impact in Oklahoma
A new study shows that aviation and aerospace are now the second largest economic engine in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Aviation & Aerospace Economic Impact Study shows that airports, off-airport aviation and aerospace businesses, and military aviation produce almost $44 billion in annual economic activity in Oklahoma.Altogether, aviation and aerospace businesses support 206,000 jobs and an $11.7 […]
Airplane shipments show mixed results
The latest report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shows mixed results — with some bright spots — for general aviation airplane shipments and billings. The report shows that the general aviation industry delivered 995 airplanes at a value of $9 billion during the first half of 2017. “Results for the second quarter of […]