WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation is going to have an uphill struggle to get back into the growth mode, according to a 92-page report released late last month. The report is based on the thesis of two researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which delves into the current and historic trends in GA […]
Opinion
From yawns to very cool
Does the idea of electronic circuit breakers (ECB) make you yawn and look around for something more interesting? I understand, but this is truly a cool product. ECB developer Vertical Power also offers a related and extremely compelling product. After visiting with Marc Ausman at SUN ’n FUN, again at AirVenture 2012, and then with […]
NextGen getting on track but problems persist
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After long delays and high cost overruns, development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is starting to get back on track, but because of program problems, users of the system are reluctant to invest in equipment for their aircraft. The FAA has been spending about $1 billion a year since […]
LSA news wrap — Rotax-Icon-Tecnam-More
Another busy week in the Light-Sport Aircraft world. Here are just a few brief news stories from the LSA space: ROTAX “EMERGENCY AD?” — Aviation media was all over the Rotax “Emergency AD” story, but is that entirely accurate? Aren’t LSA subject to manufacturer-issued SBs or Service Bulletins rather than Airworthiness Directives, which are normally […]
The lunch summit
Believe it or not, I am not universally loved and admired. None of us are, really, so I’m sure you’re not exactly bowled over by this admission. But once you step into the political arena, you more or less guarantee that you’re going to become a target to at least a few folks. Know that […]
Strong opposition to user fees repeated
Publisher note: This story was updated (see content in parens in the opening paragraph) September 18, 2012. WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama’s proposal to impose a $100 per-flight user fee (which as currently proposed on Page 31 here exempts, “All piston aircraft, military aircraft, public aircraft, air ambulances, aircraft operating outside of controlled airspace, and […]
Cirrus returning to LSA? Well, yes…for Icon
Icon Aircraft and Cirrus Aircraft recently announced a deal for the general aviation composite aircraft producer to build parts of the Icon A5 and the news introduced dates for the A5 to come to market. Several years ago I traveled to Cirrus’ Duluth, Minnesota, plant in the company of the Icon top leaders, including CEO […]
Remarkably priced, fully built & powerful CH-750
So, if you’ve been one of those lamenting the high cost of LSA, well, you have a few other worthy choices, but TennAir brings a new one.
The cost of certification
Again, I repeat, the preceding is merely a discussion, but one with many plot twists. It will certainly be interesting to watch how the FAA rules on either exemption mentioned above and how companies and organizations pursue their goals. More importantly, how will the market — that is, you pilots — demand each kind of certification? Only time will tell.