For the first quarter of 2009, business aviation accidents – including those that were fatal – declined, but the number of deaths increased, according to statistics compiled by Robert E. Breiling Associates. The over-all numbers, and those of the turboprop segment in particular, were skewed by the March 22 crash of a Part 91-operated Pilatus […]
Used bizjet inventory stabilizing – time to buy?
UBS Investment Research‘s business jet update, released April 7, implies that the high number of used business jets for sale might be at or near the bottom. According to UBS researcher David Strauss, new listings of used business jets slowed to a 1% month-over-month increase in March, although they are still 63% higher than at […]
Plane with skies sinks into slush
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing, which resulted in a nose over. A factor was the frozen, slush covered lake.
Crypto-chip offers counterfeit parts solution
Counterfeiting of parts is a serious problem in the aerospace industry. “About 2% of the 26 million parts installed on aircraft worldwide are counterfeit; that’s roughly half a million parts ranging from hardware to advanced electronics equipment,” according to Ben Jun, vice president of technology for Cryptography Research of San Francisco. To help make counterfeiting […]
FAA funding bill ignores European issues
While the U.S. Senate has yet to introduce its version of an FAA reauthorization bill, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009, which includes Section 303 “Inspection of Foreign Repair Stations,” unchanged to address issues raised by European governments. According to the Aeronautical Repair Station Association, problems with Section […]
Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame adds three members
Three Arizona aviation pioneers were inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame at its 20th Annual Induction Ceremony on March 28 at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson. The new members are Kenneth H. Dahlberg, Ruby Wine Sheldon and Maj. Gen. Carl G. Schneider, who were recognized for their Arizona-related contributions to […]
A Spirit of St. Louis ride
The Lindbergh Foundation announced on April 8 that its third annual on-line auction includes only one item – a ride in a replica of Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis – with up to 12 possible winners. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Spirit of St. Louis replica is making a rare appearance during the weekend of […]
Wisconsin CAP intercept training pays off
Since 9/11, the Civil Air Patrol‘s Wisconsin Wing pilots and crews have served as “low-and-slow” intercept targets for Wisconsin Air National Guard fighter pilots. The training missions allow air controllers and ANG pilots to practice locating and intercepting low-and-slow flying aircraft that might be terrorist threats. On April 6, that training was put to use. […]
Fantasy of Flight showcases World War II ‘Top Guns’
Ace World War II fighter pilots will be the stars of the next “Living History” program at Florida’s Fantasy of Flight. The first featured the barrier-breaking Tuskegee Airmen. Next came the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Next, Fantasy of Flight plans to top off its Living History Symposium series with “Victory in the Sky,” featuring appearances […]