The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report regarding the fatal accident on May 8, 2017, that claimed the lives of two ICON employees at Lake Berryessa, California. The ICON A5 aircraft was piloted by ICON’s Engineering Fellow and Chief Test Pilot Jon Karkow. Also aboard was ICON’s recently hired Director of Engineering, […]
Distracted pilot fails to lower landing gear
The pilot was landing a retractable landing gear-equipped, twin-engine Piper PA 31-350 at an uncontrolled airport in Homer, Alaska. While on final approach, an airplane that landed in front of him reported a moose in the vicinity of the runway. An airport maintenance person announced on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that he was attempting to chase […]
Ski flying in Alaska
Ace Alaska photographer Rob Stapleton sent in these photos, taken while making the video below of Paul Claus and Israel Payton ski flying.
Pilot, humble thyself
As you might imagine of a guy who writes for an aviation publication with the reputation enjoyed by General Aviation News, I’ve been flying for quite a while. You might also get the impression I pretty much know what I’m doing. That’s not necessarily true. Sure, I can get an airplane into the air and […]
Avionics sales snap losing streak
The Aircraft Electronics Association has released its first-quarter 2017 Avionics Market Report, which shows that in the first three months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to more than $566 million. The figure represented a 0.01% increase in sales compared to the first quarter of 2016, according to AEA […]
As drone sales soar, majority of reports remain simple sightings
A new analysis released by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) of the 1,270 new unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sightings reported by the FAA earlier this year found that the vast majority of these sightings are just that — sightings. When releasing the latest data, the FAA specifically stated that no collision between civilian aircraft and a civilian drone […]
FAA updates Product Certification Guide
An Updated FAA/Industry Guide to Product Certification has been approved. The last version of the guide was published in 2004. The updated guide will help institutionalize best practices and a new operating norm for the FAA, companies and applicants, according to officials, who note it will help aviation reach “the next level of safety and […]
AirClassics Pro Flight Bag updated
The AirClassics Pro Flight Bag has been updated. According to ASA officials, the Pro Flight Bag has the largest carrying capacity of all bags in the AirClassics series. Each end of the bag has headset pockets. One side of the bag has pockets for charts, logbooks, and kneeboards, as well as a padded pocket for […]
WSDOT receives WAMA’s President’s Award
The Washington State Department of Transportation is the recipient of the 2017 President’s Award from the Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA). This marks the first time WAMA has recognized a state agency with the award. “I am impressed with the proactive approach and ‘above and beyond’ attitude of WSDOT Aviation’s staff in supporting airports and […]