Schweizer Aircraft hit a milestone recently, delivering its 1,000th helicopter. The 300 CBi was delivered to Gerry and Bonny Friesen of BC Helicopters in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The 300CBi is part of the 269 Series, which Schweizer purchased from Hughes Helicopters in 1983.
SkyStar files for bankruptcy
SkyStar Aircraft Corp., manufacturer of the popular Kitfox aircraft kit, filed for bankruptcy Oct. 14. According to Skystar’s attorney, David Kras, the kit maker had been struggling financially since Sept. 11, 2001. “The doors are locked and the bankruptcy trustee has the key,” he said, adding it would be at least 90 days before the […]
Eclipse to launch national tour
Eclipse Aviation is embarking on its first national tour to showcase the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ). The first leg of the tour, slated for November, will cover seven cities from Tampa, Fla., to San Antonio, Texas. Meanwhile, Eclipse has chosen Albany International Airport in New York as the site of its Northeast Factory […]
GA returned to DCA Oct. 18, sort of
GA returned to Reagan National Airport (DCA) Oct. 18 for the first time since Sept. 11, 2001. The first flight was operated by New World Jet Corp., the first Part 135 operator approved by the TSA for access into DCA. While GA is allowed access to DCA again, flying there requires operators to jump through […]
Rep. Sweeney introduces GA security bill
A federal bill to enhance security at GA airports was recently introduced by Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) and, although it has not moved out of committee, it serves as strong motivation for airports to voluntarily beef up their security plans to avoid more regulatory action. The General Aviation Airport Security Act of 2005 (HR 3397) […]
Wilma wallops Florida
Airports across South Florida were damaged when Hurricane Wilma came ashore in late October. As this issue was going to press, damage reports were still coming in. At Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP) single and twin engine aircraft that had been torn from their tie-down areas littered the ramp like broken toys. “We have about 15 […]
What can you do about the high cost of flying?
You have no control over how much an airplane, or fuel, costs. But you do have some control over the amount of money flowing out of your wallet every time you fly. Here are just a few suggestions on how to save money: – Keep current. It will keep your insurance rates down. – Get […]
Three die in first Columbia crash
In the first fatal accident of a certified Columbia aircraft, three Scottsdale, Ariz., residents were killed Oct. 17 when their Columbia 400 crashed in the mountains near San Diego. Dead are Barrett Lauchner, owner of Lancair Certified Southwest, his wife Gina Marie, and Terry James Boom, a flight instructor and demonstration pilot for the company. […]
ID still unknown on airman found in Sierra Nevada mountains
Military forensic experts are studying human remains found on a glacier in the Sierra Nevada mountains in an effort to determine the man’s identity. It is believed the body is that of a World War II airman killed during a training flight in November 1942. Late last month hikers spotted the remains of an Army […]