ASA has updated its Pilot Bag, which is designed for everyday flying. According to ASA officials, the bag is big enough to hold a pilot’s essentials, yet compact enough to carry, transport, and store easily. The Pilot Bag is made of 600D polyester, has non-slip wrap-around carry straps, zippers, and reinforcing straps that extend around the […]
Concorde Battery receives TSO for sealed lead acid batteries
Concorde Battery Corporation has received Technical Standard Order, TSO-C173a, authorization for the RG24-15, RG24-15M, and RG24-16 13.6 family of sealed lead acid batteries. The authorization confirms the batteries meet the Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS). The batteries undergo rigorous testing, ensuring optimal performance on a fixed wing aircraft or rotorcraft in the most extreme on-board […]
Failed gear shaft brings down banner tow plane
The pilot reported that, while the Piper PA-25-235 was towing a banner about 1,100 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. His attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He executed a forced landing to a pasture in Galveston, Texas, during which the right wing struck a fence. The airplane then came to rest upright. The pilot […]
See the stars at 9I0
An Astronomy Night Fly-In is planned this weekend, June 23-24, 2017, at Havana Regional Airport (9I0 – Niner-India-Zero) in Illinois. “We will have nine ‘Deep Space’ telescopes set up from the University of Illinois Astronomy Club,” reports Michael Purpura, Illinois State Liaison of the Recreational Aviation Foundation To give us just an idea of what […]
Breaking in the engine on an RV-6
Q: Hello, Paul. I live in South Africa, Johannesburg. I love reading your articles on engines. You have wise words. Thank you. I have an RV-6 built by myself and my brother-in-law. We fitted a Lycoming O-320-B2C that got overhauled after 560 hours by Alton Engineering. I believe you will be able to help me with […]
Senate committee rejects Trump’s plan to spin off ATC
The Hill is reporting that a Senate committee did not include President Trump’s controversial proposal to separate air traffic control from the federal government in a must-pass aviation bill. The post reports that Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who leads the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said the Senate’s long-term reauthorization of the FAA will not include the […]
Earhart mystery could be solved by dogs
July 2, 2017, marks the 80th anniversary of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan. Since their disappearance, no one has been able to find them, despite numerous attempts. This week, National Geographic Society’s Archaeologist-in-Residence, Fred Hiebert, along with the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR), will embark on a mission […]
Industry, university collaborate on hybrid-electric aircraft
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — International aircraft manufacturing leaders have teamed with aerospace, aviation and research institute Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to design a hybrid-electric turboprop aircraft. Led by the university’s Eagle Flight Research Center (EFRC) at its Daytona Beach campus, and in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, the Embry-Riddle Hybrid Consortium is working with members Airbus, Boeing, GE Aviation, […]
Video of first flight of Belite Chipper with Rotax 912UL
The first flight of the Belite Chipper with the Rotax 912UL engine was held June 19. Belite’s James Wiebe posted this video of the flight: Wiebe also released these performance observations: Initial established climb about 600 fpm; Highest climb rate seen about 830 fpm; Flaps 15°; Ailerons in droop mode; Went around the pattern several […]