When a jet is flying faster than the speed of sound, one small mistake can tear it apart, and when the jet is so experimental that it must fly unmanned, only a computer control system can pilot it. For that reason, Ohio State University engineers have designed control system software that can do just that, […]
Cirrus increases production rate
In a communication to its employees, Cirrus Aircraft announced on April 30 that it is increasing its production rate to six aircraft per week, starting immediately. The increased rate follows nearly six months of significantly reduced production rates that averaged two to three fewer units per week than the new rate. “We continue to see […]
Cessna to suspend Columbus program, close Bend plant
Cessna Aircraft Co., the nation’s largest builder of corporate jets, is laying off 2,300 workers and closing its Oregon plant as it restructures its product line amid declining plane orders, the company’s CEO, Jack Pelton, told employees on April 29. In addition, Cessna is discontinuing development of its Columbus business jets, built in Wichita. Cessna […]
HMS Illustrious at Centenary of Naval Aviation
British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious is to visit London to mark the Centenary Year of Naval Aviation during the first week of May, in case you’re a Naval Aviation enthusiast headed that way. It was on May 7, 1909, that the Admiralty set aside £35,000 for the development of an “airship,” which soon led to […]
FAA emissions proposal worries some
A recently-released FAA proposal would amend FAR Part 34 fuel venting and exhaust emission requirements for turbine-powered airplanes, including new, tighter emission standards for engines manufactured after Dec. 31, 2003. Engines that entered production before that date will be grandfathered and exempt from the new standards. The complex and confusing proposal has some operators concerned […]
Alan Bristow of Bristow Helicopters dies
Alan Edgar Bristow died on April 26 at the age of 85. A former chief executive of British United Airways, he was best known as the founder of Bristow Helicopters, one of the world’s largest helicopter companies, where he served as managing director and then chairman from 1954 to 1985. An astute businessman, test pilot […]
CubCrafters debuts Super Sport Cub
CubCrafters brought its new Super Sport Cub, the company’s most powerful aircraft, to Sun ‘n Fun. Available immediately, the LSA is a stronger and more powerful version of CubCrafters’ Sport Cub S2, according to Jim Richmond, CEO and founder of the Yakima, Wash.-based company. According to Richmond, the two-place Super Sport Cub boasts the largest […]
Cessna’s Mustang gets SVT
Cessna Aircraft Co. has received FAA certification for Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) for the Citation Mustang. Besides the Mustang, SVT is now an FAA-certified option for all G1000-equipped 172 Skyhawks, 182 Skylanes, 206 Stationairs and the Caravan product line. The Garmin G1000 SVT gives a simulated 3D graphical representation of the surrounding terrain and […]
Avidyne launches Piper upgrade, unveils autopilot
Avidyne Corp.’s new Entegra Release 9 Integrated Flight Deck (IFD) will soon be available as a retrofit upgrade for Piper PA-46 4Meridian, Mirage, and Matrix aircraft. “Entegra Release 9 is ideally suited as a next-generation flight deck upgrade to meet the mission profiles of the high-performance Piper PA-46 aircraft,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s chief operating […]