“Is this an elegant airplane or what?” With those words, Marion Blakey, FAA administrator, introduced Diamond Aircraft’s newest model, the D-JET, at this summer’s AirVenture. Those words must have been music to the ears of D-JET’s creator, Christian Dries, Diamond’s CEO and a 7,000-hour pilot who’s passion is creating the planes he wants to fly. […]
Taylorcraft Aviation LCC has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The paperwork, filed Oct. 13, lists 23 creditors who are seeking a combined total of $847,400. The city of Brownsville, Texas, is listed as the largest creditor with a total of $108,000 owed for back rent for city-owned hangar space at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. Other creditors include the Internal Revenue Service, First National […]
“Warplane”: a PBS blockbuster
Public television is about to unleash one of the most fascinating series ever produced about the history of military aviation. Coming to a PBS station near you on Nov. 8, “Warplane” sweeps across the entire panorama of military flight, including the innovators, inventors and technologists, as well as the airplanes themselves. The four-part series is […]
Jay Groen dies of cancer
Jay Groen, chairman of Groen Brothers Aviation (GBA), died Oct. 9 at his home in Washington D.C., after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 62. Jay co-founded GBA in 1986 with his brother, David, to develop modern autorotative aircraft. “Jay’s passing leaves a void within us all, but at the same time furthers our […]
Performer Nancy Lynn dies after air show crash
Air show performer, aerobatics instructor and motivational speaker Nancy Lynn died Oct. 15 from injuries suffered in an airplane crash during an air show. She was 50 years old. Lynn was performing in her Extra 300L at Culpeper Air Fest at Culpeper Regional Airport in Virginia Oct. 14 when, during a low pass, the wing […]
Construction begins on Eclipse service centers
With its Eclipse 500 fully certified now, Eclipse Aviation is wasting no time. Eclipse received its FAA Repair Station certification Oct. 3, two days after receiving type certification. Repair Station certification means that the Eclipse service center program has met FAA aircraft repair and maintenance regulations, so the company now can lead repair and maintenance […]
Clayton Scott, firrst Boeing corporate pilot, dies at 101
Clayton L. “Scotty” Scott passed away Sept. 28 in Mercer Island, Wash. He was 101. Scott began his aviation career in 1926 by persuading airmail pilots to give him flight instruction. By 1928 he had an airplane of his own and was giving rides at an airport in the Seattle area. An in-flight emergency made […]
Cessna’s LSA makes first flight
Cessna’s entry into the Light Sport Aircraft race made its first flight Oct. 13. The proof-of-concept aircraft launched from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and flew for approximately 30 minutes. Company officials said the aircraft flew at speeds in excess of 110 knots. Cessna Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton proudly noted that this proof-of-concept […]
The Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“I think everyone is scratching their head, wondering how it is possible that an aircraft can be buzzing around Manhattan. It’s virtually the Wild West. There is no regulation at all, other than ‘don’t run into anything.’” — Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., who has been lobbying for rule changes since 2004. “We have very few […]