Piper goes into the match-making business
Piper Aircraft unveiled its new PiperMatch program at this year’s AirVenture, designed to connect pilots who want to partner on a new Piper aircraft. “It’s like online dating,” said Randy Grooms, the company’s executive vp, adding, “We want to open up ownership to a wider audience.” Under the program, PiperMatch specialists work to link aviators […]
Tempest debuts spark plugs
Tempest has added a line of spark plugs to its brand of aviation products. Aero Accessories, which manufactures carburetors and fuel pumps, ignition components, starters, oil and pneumatic filtration products and more, purchased the Unison AutoLite line of spark plugs last year and has now completed the relocation of spark plug manufacturing from Rockford, Ill., […]
Becker units NVG compatible
Becker Avionics’s Audio Control Units (ACU) for its Digital Audio and Intercom System (DVCS6100) are now delivered as Night Vision Goggle (NVG) NVIS green B compatible or, upon request, as NVG certified. The FAA recently published its final rule making for NVG operation, establishing requirements for aircraft night vision goggle training, proficiency and operations. The […]
West Star opens CAE location
West Star Aviation, Inc. has opened its newest facility at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina. The facility is available for maintenance services for a wide range of corporate aircraft, including Lear, Hawker, Citation, Westwind, Falcon 10/20, KingAir, and Conquest. West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major […]
Impatience leads to crash
This July 2008 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: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Salmon, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was in a hurry. He noted that the winds […]
DC-3 devotion
Heather McNevin, a pilot and air traffic controller from Northfield, Minn., shows her appreciation for the Herpa DC-3 Wednesday at AirVenture. The DC-3’s 75th anniversary is being celebrated at this year’s show, with more than a dozen DC-3s and C-47s parked throughout the grounds.
Accident rates: Improving, but not enough
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt is not happy with the GA accident rate. “The GA numbers, candidly, are not where I would like them to be,” he said during a visit to AirVenture. He did concede that the GA accident rate is actually “trending” better, with constant improvements. “But,” he said, “we’ve set ambitious goals and […]
NextGen: Changing the way GA flies
The Next Generation Air Traffic Control System, known as NextGen, will change the way GA flies, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said during a visit to AirVenture. In fact, the change is as “big a jump as going from a piston to a jet,” he said. NextGen, which will take air traffic control from a radar-based […]