For many years I’ve maintained that the business executive who can afford a single or light twin airplane doesn’t get involved in flying for a couple of reasons. First is time. Many of these individuals started learning to fly or actually got their certificates as young people. As their businesses grew or they advanced in […]
New company to offer Eclipse maintenance
A group of experienced former Eclipse Aviation workers appears to have launched a company called Eclipse 500 Services to provide maintenance for Eclipse 500 very light jets, according to a report from AIN’s Matt Thurber. According to the company’s website, Eclipse 500 Services is offering maintenance, inspections, service bulletin compliance, EFIS 1.3 downloads, nav databases […]
Mean machine
Lots of pilots will tell you their airplane is a mean machine. Carl Brownd of Centennial, Colo., can show you. A close-up inspection of the air intake on his RV-6 Rocket reveals a fierce, snarling creature. “It’s a pretty mean engine and I decided to have some fun with the intake,” he said when we […]
New GA airport near Orlando in works
The West Orange Airport Authority is once again pushing to build a new GA airport north of Walt Disney World. The Orlando Sentinel reports the airport board also has approved a feasibility study to find possible locations for the airport, expected to cost between $10 million to $50 million to build. The airport would require […]
Indiana’s 2R2 to expand
Planning has begun to expand Indiana’s Hendricks County Airport (2R2). Looking ahead 20 years, proposals would expand the 300-acre airport between Avon and Danville, lengthen the 3,400-foot runway, and add hangars and a second entrance for a passenger terminal area, according to a recent report in the Indianapolis Star. For the full story: Indystar.com/article/20090321/LOCAL05/903210361/1020/LOCAL05
More layoffs at Liberty Aerospace
Liberty Aerospace Inc. laid off another 14 people this week as the weak economy continues to take its toll, according to a report at FloridaToday.com. The Melbourne-based aviation manufacturer laid off 30 workers in January. It now has 32 employees, according to President and CEO Keith Markley. A year ago, it employed 180. But the […]
Florida debates use taxes
Florida legislators are beginning debates on two bills that would allow pilots to visit the state with the new planes without fear of paying a use tax. Senate Bill 300 and House Bill 51 have each passed the first round of their respective committees, according to Paula Raeburn, executive director of the Florida Aviation Trades […]
Fatal GA accidents down
Fatal accidents declined in 2007, according to the just-released AOPA Air Safety Foundation 19th annual Joseph T. Nall Report, a comprehensive analysis of what kinds of accidents pilots have, and why. The report looks at general aviation accidents that occurred in 2007 involving light, fixed-wing aircraft weighing less than 12,500 lbs. 2007 is the most […]
Take a ride in a Warbird at Sun ‘n Fun
Get your hands on history with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) at Sun ‘n Fun when you take a ride in one of CAF’s vintage warbirds. Historic aircraft from the CAF fleet will be on display and available for rides at Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, April 21-26. The CAF Ride Program offers people […]