WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pilots and aircraft owners at all levels of aviation are reluctant to invest in the necessary new equipment for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). One reason is that the FAA has not clearly defined what benefits will be achieved and when. A recent report from Calvin Scovel III, Inspector General […]
Cirrus and partners unite to grow general aviation
DULUTH, Minn. – Cirrus Aircraft’s JumpStart Program will place 12 brand new and fully equipped SR20s at Cirrus training center partners in select markets across the country, to give more new pilots a comprehensive introduction to general aviation by learning to fly in a Cirrus.
How a ghost doomed the Skycatcher
In a new blog post, Flying magazine’s Robert Goyer says that the Cessna Skycatcher failed because it was overly sensitive to wind, had a “Made in China” label that infuriated the American marketplace, plus a high price tag. Once the price was raised to $150,000, “the price was too high for what you got, and what […]
Google to manage Moffett Field
A Google subsidiary, Planetary Ventures LLC, will take over management of the 1,000-acre Moffett Federal Airfield, a former U.S. Navy based located four miles from Google’s Mountain View, Calif., headquarters. The airfield, which was built in the 1930s, has been managed by NASA’s Ames Research Center for the past 23 years. According to a story […]
Eclipse receives STCs for auto throttle, brakes
Eclipse Aerospace has received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for both the auto throttle and anti-skid brake (ASB) systems for the Eclipse 550 twin-engine jet. The auto throttle, developed in partnership with Innovative Solutions & Support, is a first for FAR Part 23 aircraft, according to Eclipse officials. The lightweight ASB system does not require a […]
Garmin recognizes GPS milestone
OLATHE, Kan. — Garmin is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Garmin GPS 155 receiving FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization, the industry’s first FAA TSO-C129 approach approved IFR GPS receiver. The GPS 155 TSO received FAA TSO approval Feb. 16, 1994, which set the bar for future technological GPS advancements in aviation, Garmin officials […]
National fundraising campaign for Wright Company factory site to be studied
DAYTON, Ohio — The National Aviation Heritage Alliance will commission a feasibility study to evaluate the potential for a national fundraising campaign for the Wright Company factory site. The goal of the fundraising campaign would be to secure the historic Wright Company buildings for future use as a unit of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National […]
Wipaire gains new leadership in engineering, manufacturing
SOUTH SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Wipaire, Inc. has named new leaders to its engineering and manufacturing management. Tim Hendrickson was appointed Wipaire’s new director of manufacturing, while Chris Woken was named engineering manager. Hendrickson brings over 15 years of manufacturing expertise to Wipaire, according to company officials. “Tim brings knowledge and experience from working at large […]
Low-time pilot ground loops C180
Aircraft: Cessna 180. Injuries: None. Location: Conroe, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, allowed the private pilot to practice landings in the tailwheel airplane. During the second landing, the plane veered sharply off the runway centerline. The flight instructor took over the controls but was unable to regain directional […]