The twin airfoil canard out front looks like a box kite, one of the prominent building materials is bamboo, and there was never a Pilot’s Operating Handbook of any kind produced for the airplane. However, when Kermit Weeks lines the Curtiss Pusher up on a 5,000-foot grass strip to take his first hop, heads turn […]
Long, winding approval tale — SLSA #128
A most remarkable thing happened recently. I refer to a recent approval of a brand new Special LSA. Why is that noteworthy, especially as it is #128 on our SLSA List? Everyone in the business of LSA and most other alert readers have followed the long, winding, still-evolving path of FAA approvals in the fall […]
Flightline TV cleared for take off
The Flightline, an aviation-themed magazine television show, is making its national debut Jan. 5, 2013 on Discovery Communication’s Velocity network. The Flightline is set for a 52-week run as part of the Saturday morning programming on Velocity. Show times are at 9 a.m. EST. The show is entering its third season after moving from local […]
New forecast system helps transoceanic flights avoid storms
A new NASA-funded prototype system developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) of Boulder, Colo., is providing weather forecasts that can help pilots avoid major storms as they travel over remote ocean regions. The eight-hour forecasts of potentially dangerous atmospheric conditions are designed for pilots, air traffic controllers and others involved in transoceanic […]
FreeFlight Systems upgradable XPLORER ADS-B receiver now available
WACO, Texas — Now available from FreeFlight Systems is its XPLORER receiver, a datalink weather receiver with upgradability to full ADS-B In weather and traffic data capabilities when installed with a certified ADS-B Out transmitter. Based on FreeFlight Systems’ certified RANGR family of 978MHz ADS-B systems, XPLORER receives the full ADS?B Flight Information Service Broadcast […]
NavWorx ADS-B now on a variety of aircraft
ROWLETT, Texas – NavWorx reports the successful installations of its Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) delivering the benefits of NextGen air transportation technology to general aviation aircraft. The company’s flagship product, the ADS600-B, is a single device that transmits and receives flight data and information services into the cockpit. The ADS600-B is designed to meet the […]
Aviation specific workers’ comp plan set to debut
NEW YORK — On Jan. 1, 2013, USAIG will roll out a new workers’ compensation insurance package – AeroComp by USAIG – designed specifically to address the needs of aviation operators. “This new program leverages our 80-plus years of expertise as an insurance underwriter focused exclusively on aviation, as well as 37 years of experience […]
Failure to follow procedure bends Cessna
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Fort Myers, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, who was practicing touch and goes, a gust of wind pushed the plane to the left after the eighth landing. He applied full right aileron, but could not stop the uncommanded turn. The airplane went off […]
Ask Paul: What are these aluminum specks?
Q: I lost the left mag on my O-540. When I took it apart, I found four aluminum specks in the top oil screen. I pulled the rear housing off and found the aluminum gear still in the engine. I sent it off for repairs to Tulsa, where they installed a new oil pump, shaft, […]