The Santa Monica City Council has shortened ground leases for tenants at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO), limiting most businesses to month-to-month leases. Exceptions were FBO Atlantic Aviation, Adelman, a law firm, and the Museum of Flying, which received three-year leases to June 30, 2018, with the option of one-year extensions at the discretion of the city. The […]
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9,000 Van’s flying
On April 9, Van’s Aircraft received a first-flight report from Thomas Damm, of Billund, Denmark. Damm’s RV-8 became the 9,000th RV kit to be completed and flown by a customer. Damm bought the barely-started kit from a close friend and completed it over a span of nine years. Using his life-long experience as a pilot for SAS, he […]
Win the use of a Pilatus PC-12 for eight hours
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has teamed up with Pilatus Aircraft to offer the use of a Pilatus PC-12 NG turboprop for eight hours of business missions. The “AOPA Pilot BizAv & You” contest runs through June 30, and is open to people who own or work for a company that would benefit […]
First flight: Merlin LSA
Glasair Aviation’s new light-sport aircraft, Merlin, took its first flight through the skies above Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO) in Washington state, April 7. Following detailed validation testing, including engine run-up, high-speed taxi, and ground roll lift off, the team at Glasair stood back and watched as Merlin departed the surface of runway 34 with test-pilot […]
NC sponsors free wildlife hazard training sessions
Wildlife can wreak havoc for airports and their staff. Birds and other animals can damage planes on the ground or cause accidents by flying into the engines or roaming on airport grounds. To increase awareness of these concerns and to improve safety for all, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation will offer free […]
Celebrating GA in Florida
VERO BEACH, Florida — U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and U.S. Congressman Bill Posey joined the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), hundreds of manufacturing employees, aviation enthusiasts, and local leaders at an April 7 jobs rally celebrating the economic impact of general aviation in Florida. The event, held at Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach, is GAMA’s 13th jobs […]
Year-end Avionics Market Report unveiled
The Aircraft Electronics Association released its 2014 year-end Avionics Market Report during the 58th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center this week in Dallas, Texas. Total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for the year amounted to more than $2.5 billion, a 4% increase in sales from […]
Kickstarter campaign launches to honor Top Gun Aces
America’s “Top Gun” Fighter Aces are the newest endangered species. These fighter pilots, who earned Ace status by destroying at least five enemy aircraft during aerial combat missions in both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam, are a vanishing breed and most likely an endangered species. “If there’s an elite among fighter pilots, it’s these men. […]
AOPA now offers aircraft loans to pilots in Alaska and Hawaii
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Aviation Finance Co. now offers members in Alaska and Hawaii aircraft loans that were previously difficult to acquire. While most aircraft lenders are unable to offer financing outside of the continental United States, AOPA Aviation Finance Co. is working with a lender that has agreed to fill personal […]