Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. has received FAA certification and approval for the newly redesigned canister to be used with the PhostrEx fire suppression system on the Eclipse Jet. The new canister, an all-welded design, stores contents at a lower pressure, resolving leakage problems experienced by the original design, according to company officials. The improved PhostrEx canister […]
Classic airplane, classic mistake
This June 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Waco Classic YMF-F5C. Injuries: None. Location: Pittsburg, Kan. Aircraft damage: Minor. What reportedly happened: The private pilot was receiving instruction in a tailwheel equipped […]
The fight to protect GPS
WASHINGTON, D.C. — If the communication company LightSquared goes ahead with its plan to install ground-based transmitters throughout the United States, it could mean catastrophic and potentially fatal issues for users of GPS. This was one concern expressed at a June 23 Congressional hearing into the conflict between LightSquared and users of GPS because of […]
Air Race Classic team continues to troubleshoot problems
GAN contributing writer Amelia Reiheld is participating in the Air Race Classic with partner Linda Keller. Here’s their latest blog post, Electrical gremlins persist — and lots of miles yet to go: Our mechanic friend, the so-kind Rocky Rexrod of Dumas, Texas, had his head buried in our airplane until midnight last night. He was […]
Alternative jet fuels will soon be sprouting at Detroit airports
Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), operator of Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP), has partnered with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Office to grow, harvest and process bioenergy crops on airport-owned property. This strategic initiative — the first of its kind in the Midwest — represents WCAA’s commitment to sustainable aviation in […]
GA makes NTSB’s ‘Most Wanted’ list
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its new list of the 10 most critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives and GA figures prominently on the list. “The NTSB’s ability to influence transportation safety depends on our ability to communicate and advocate for changes,” said NTSB Chairman […]
Museum to raffle off vintage 172
Houston’s 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport will give away a vintage 1957 Cessna 172 in a live raffle drawing on July 16. The drawing will be the culmination of a year-long fundraiser and will be the museum’s fourth airplane give away. Museum president Drew Coats explained, “This raffle has turned into one of […]
Clear Gas opens in California
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114. In late May, it was reported that the California Fuel Club would be soon offering autogas at the Reid-Hillview […]
Popular Rotorcraft Association slates convention
Gyroplanes, helicopters and autogyros, including other sport and GA aircraft, will gather at the Mentone Airport (C-92) in Indiana, Aug. 2-6 for the 49th Annual Convention of the Popular Rotorcraft Association. This is a rare opportunity to see these unique flying machines, talk to the pilots, builders, kit manufacturers, and see them fly, according to […]