A Montana-based aircraft leasing company, LAFT, LLC, placed firm orders for 35 Liberty XL2 aircraft late in January. LAFT, in turn, leased the two-place planes to Florida-based Ormond Beach Aviation, which will use them as trainers. Ormond Beach Aviation plans to operate the XL2s as replacements for its current single engine Cessna and Piper training […]
Finding a type club that’s just right for you
When World War II ended there was a general aviation boom. Thousands of people learned to fly during the war and there was a glut of military airplanes on the market that were defanged and made available to civilian pilots. Civilian manufacturers got into the act too. Many had been under contract to produce aircraft […]
I like… getting ready for fly-in season, touch and goes and the search for perfection
I like fly-ins. The anticipation and the excitement of the journey are nearly as tantalizing as the event itself, especially the first fly-in of the season. The foremost chore on my preparation list is to try on my shorts. We have all learned the hard way that this is not something we should leave to […]
Novel idea: Loening builds amphibian that outperforms its predecessors
By PETER M. BOWERS. Aeronautical engineer and manufacturer Grover C. Loening came up with a novel idea for a military amphibian in 1923. Using the same engine, his amphib could outperform the standard two-seat observation planes that the U.S. Army and Navy were using. There had been plenty of previous amphibians, but they were clumsy […]
Structural failure in thunderstorms kills two
The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning and his failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an in-flight encounter with a thunderstorm and exceeding the design limits of the aircraft.
Power up with Start Pac
The new Start Pac Mini Power Supply is designed to power up 24/12 volt aircraft systems. The voltage output is set to 28.5/14.2 volts to simulate the same voltage as when the plane is running under power. Maximum amperage output is 25/50 amps, which is adequate for most light aircraft. If overloaded, the Mini Power […]
Garrett/Piedmont Hawthorne/Associated changes name
Garrett/Piedmont Hawthorne/Associated has rebranded the company with a new name – Landmark Aviation. “Landmark Aviation is the name we selected to represent our company that provides customers a network of 37 locations throughout North America,” said Roger Wolfe, CEO. The company formed a year ago when Garrett Aviation Services was combined with Piedmont Hawthorne and […]
Weldcraft and Miller Electric team up
Weldcraft and Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. have joined efforts to provide total TIG welding packages to meet the needs of both low and high amperage applications. The companies, both located in Appleton, Wis., and subsidiaries of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), have released three integrated TIG torch/power source packages. The packages feature Weldcraft’s Crafter Series and […]
Raytheon certifies new Beechcraft Premier IA
The new Beechcraft Premier IA has been certified. The plane features a totally redesigned interior, Rockwell Collins ProLine 21 avionics upgrade, as well as several systems improvements as part of the planned evolution of the Beechcraft Premier I.