The successful first flight of the Tecnam Astore Light-Sport Aircraft took place at Tecnam’s Capua production facility on May 27. The Tecnam Astore is a new two-seat, low-wing LSA. It was recently premiered as part of Tecnam’s 65th anniversary celebrations at Aero 2013 Friedrichshafen, Germany. Commanded by Tecnam’s test pilot, Captain Enzo De Blasio, the […]
Beechcraft delivers 4,000th Bonanza
WICHITA, Kan. – Beechcraft Corp. recently held a special ceremony to deliver the 4,000th Model 36 Beechcraft Bonanza. According to company officials, the Bonanza is the longest continuously produced aircraft in history and more than 18,000 Model 35, 33 and 36 units have been delivered since 1947. During today’s ceremony at the company’s Customer Delivery […]
Avionics sales top $1.7 billion in first quarter
In the first three months of 2013, total worldwide avionics sales amounted to $1,706,006,894.49, or more than $1.7 billion, as reported by the 20 aviation electronics manufacturers participating in the first quarterly Avionics Market Report from the Aircraft Electronics Association. The dollar amount (using net sales price, not manufacturer’s suggested retail price) includes: All aircraft […]
Aspen Avionics partners on museum exhibit
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display is part of a new exhibit at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque. The exhibit, called Dynamics of Flight, runs June 1 through Dec. 31, 2013, and highlights the advances in aircraft design and technology from the Wright brothers to the Space Shuttle. […]
GlobalAir.com upgrades FBO rating system
Aviators can now more accurately rate their experiences when shopping for FBOs at GlobalAir.com. The new five-star rating system provides feedback for users when comparing fuel prices or reviewing weather conditions with GlobalAir.com’s Airport Resource Center (ARC). Pilots can view the ratings on each FBO’s page to get the overall score, or select the rating […]
Airforms gets FAA approval for engine baffles on Piper Cherokees
BIG LAKE, Alaska — Airforms, Inc. has obtained FAA design approval and Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) for replacement engine baffling on Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee aircraft. This approval is specific to mid-range S/N aircraft. “This approval represents the latest expansion of our growing product line,” said Lee Budde, president. “We have crafted a replacement part that […]
Poor flare, bad bounce for Mooney
Aircraft: Mooney M20R. Injuries: None. Location: Lake in the Hills, Ill. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and was receiving instruction to become more comfortable flying it. The accident occurred as he performed a simulated forced landing at the end of an instructional flight. The airplane stalled as […]
The real reason airports matter
Stewart Beckett Sr. was born into a different world than the one you and I live in. He came into being in 1898 not far from St. Petersburg, Florida. The family wasn’t wealthy, but they were reasonably well off. Which is to say they lived in a house, ate on a regular basis, and managed […]
Landing fees increased at Santa Monica Airport
It’s about to get more expensive to land at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in southern California. On April 30 the Santa Monica City Council approved a landing fee of $5.48 per 1,000 pounds on all aircraft — transient and locally based alike. For the pilot of a Cessna 172, that’s $10.96 for each landing. The […]