It was a story, complete with pictures, that rocked the general aviation community — industry icons John and Martha King handcuffed and detained by police in Santa Barbara, California, because the police had been given faulty intelligence regarding the plane the Kings were flying. On Monday, Nov. 8, the Kings, accompanied by AOPA President and […]
Airplane shipments down 14.5%
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the industry’s shipment and billings figures for the third quarter today, which show that in the first nine months of 2010, total general aviation airplane shipments fell 14.5%, from 1,588 planes in 2009 to 1,357 this year. Billings totaled $13.47 billion in the first nine months, down 2.5%. […]
Are senators exempt from FAA rules?
Is a U.S. senator subject to FAA enforcement action for landing on a closed runway? That’s the question asked by Greg Reigel of Reigel Law Firm, Ltd., in a blog post at GlobalAir.com. Reigel is talking about James Inhofe, a senator from Oklahoma and long-time pilot, who landed his Cessna 340 on a closed runway […]
Stratos jet delivery positions now available
Stratos Aircraft is now accepting deposits on delivery positions for its new Stratos 714 very light personal jet. Deposit money is escrowed in interest-bearing accounts and can be retrieved at any time, officials with the Bend, Ore-based company said. The company also is seeking investors and, though capital is tight, expects to have two flying […]
Colorado airport to reopen Nov. 18
The Garfield County Regional Airport (RIL) in Rifle, Colo., will unveil $47.3 million in improvements when it reopens later this month, including significant runway upgrades, according to a report in the Aspen Times. The airport, closed since April 5, is scheduled to reopen Nov. 18.
Museum of Flight names new president
The Museum of Flight in Seattle has named Douglas King as president and chief executive officer, succeeding Interim President Michael Hallman, who will return to his previous role as vice chairman of the museum’s board of trustees. King comes to the Museum of Flight from his post as president and chief executive officer of the […]
Rare Corsair rescued
A rare Birdcage Corsair World War II fighter was recovered from Lake Michigan’s Waukegan Harbor, north of Chicago, on Nov. 8, after spending the last 67 years submerged following a carrier training crash, according to a report at EAA.org, which contains some great photos of the rescue. Check it out here.
First flight test of PT6A-135A upgrade STC
Experimental flight testing of StandardAero’s planned PT6A-135A engine upgrade Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) was successfully conducted in September with a Cessna Caravan 208. The flight test occurred at Wipaire, Inc. in St. Paul, Minn. STC certification is expected in the first quarter of 2011 for Caravan 208 models and second quarter 2011 for Caravan 208B […]
Leak detection kit debuts
Spectronics Corp. has introduced the new ALK-365 Aviation Leak Detection Kit, which works with all petroleum- and synthetic-based lubricants and fluids. The kit includes the cordless and rechargeable OPTIMAX 365 UV LED leak detection flashlight. Engineered with state-of-the-art, ultra-hi-flux LED technology, the flashlight is four times brighter than other high-intensity UV lamps, company officials say. […]