The MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development is still recruiting pilots for a study evaluating proposed changes to runway standards at general aviation airports. Pilots who participate can earn up to $250. The study will examine whether infrastructure standards, such as runway width and length, pavement markings, visual guidance systems and edge lighting, […]
Cirrus expands Grand Forks facility for jet production
Cirrus Aircraft is expanding its Grand Forks, N.D., facility to accommodate a new autoclave oven in preparation for production of the Vision SF50 jet. Modifications to the Grand Forks facility began in May and the autoclave was delivered June 27, when the installation process will begin. The building housing the autoclave will be built around […]
Hartzell Top Prop now available for Stationair
Newly certified is Hartzell Propeller’s scimitar aluminum propeller designed for installation on current production Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair aircraft. Tthe 3-blade prop improves aircraft performance significantly, according to company officials, who note it is also available with aircraft-compatible de-ice boots. The propeller diameter is 82” in contrast to the 79” original installed at Cessna. The […]
Sporty’s debuts Warbird sculptures
Sporty’s Wright Bros. Collection introduces two World War II era sculptures: A fighter and a bomber (pictured above). Crafted of resin and painted in precise detail, these sculptures may be hung on a wall or displayed on a desk or bookcase. The front silhouette of the Fighter (pictured below) carries D-Day markings and spinning propeller. […]
Cub crunched by downdraft
Aircraft: Piper J3C-65. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Shepard, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, said the wind was blowing directly down the runway about 5 to 10 knots during the takeoff roll. When the airplane reached an altitude of 50 feet, the pilot encountered turbulent […]
Drones gaining acceptance
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Drones — Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) — are getting greater acceptance worldwide, leading all in aviation to take a new and detailed look into how they will fit into the airspace and how they will affect the safety of all flight operations. This was revealed in the results of a poll conducted […]
Contract towers included in FAA funding bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Funding for contract towers started its long process through government when a subcommittee of the House of Representatives included it as part of the annual appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation, which has the FAA and other agencies. The bill covers fiscal year 2014, which goes from Oct. 1 of this […]
Single seat darling
Perhaps it’s because we haven’t had so many new SLSA offerings lately (though don’t look away too long as more are definitely on the way!). Maybe it’s because the new new SD-1 Minisport is a single seater. Certainly we have not had many single seater SLSA … well, none so far, but that, too, is going […]
San Carlos — try mogas
As reported this week by Flying, the EPA has issued its findings on lead emissions it has been monitoring the past two years at 17 airports across the country. For pilots in Southern California and the Bay area, the news was not good: “The EPA’s findings from airports where the testing was carried out indicate […]