There are remedies for virtually all the obstacles we are likely to encounter in flight and in life. The real variable is whether we will take the precautions necessary to be safe or not. Too many of us play fast and loose with the risks. The resulting accidents present general aviation in a poor light to those who stand on the outside looking in. They see us as dangerous and, frankly, some of us are.
MT-Propeller expands footprint at Straubing Airport
MT-Propeller has opened three new buildings at its headquarters at Germany’s Straubing Airport. The trio of buildings add 86,000 square feet of space, more than doubling total space to 161,000 square feet at the airport.
Flex-fuel injection for Rotax engines unveiled
Unicorn Aviation, a Swiss-French company, has introduced a redundant, flex-fuel injection system for Rotax engines.
Test flight ends in crash
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control at too low of an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to improper management of the fuel system.
Picture of the Day: Mountain fishing
Ron Bailey submitted this photo and note: “Evening fishing on a high mountain lake courtesy the Keller Super Cub.”
Is the DPE program sustainable?
37% of all DPEs administer three-quarters of all tests, while just 21% administer half of all tests.
TBM owners convene for annual get-together
A total of 81 TBMs — representing the full line from the cornerstone TBM 700 to the TBM 850, TBM 900, TBM 930, TBM 940, and Daher’s latest TBM 960 — were flown to the host airport, Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (KTRM) in Palm Springs.
RADIANT introduces visual angle of attack
When viewed in flight, the responsiveness to pitch change is immediate, and the vane position precisely shows the changes in airflow and AOA.
Mechanic error leads to in-flight engine failure
Improper installation of the crankshaft drive gear by maintenance personnel, who failed to install all required hardware, resulting in an in-flight engine failure.