The National Business Aviation Association convention, originally scheduled for New Orleans, has been relocated to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The show also has been moved up a week, to Nov. 9-11. Aircraft will be on static display at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL).
Eclipse 500 static testing completed
The Eclipse 500 very light jet has completed the airframe static testing required for its FAA certification. The FAA cleared the Eclipse for an initial 10,000 hour lifetime, significantly more than is typically approved so early. Static testing, which tests airframe loads to the designed maximum and, in some instances, to failure, was conducted throughout […]
Piper gets a new president
James K. Bass became the new president and CEO of New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Sept. 12. Described by Piper’s board as “an experienced senior executive with more than 25 years of leadership roles in engineering and manufacturing,” he replaced Chuck Suma, who joined the company’s board of directors as vice chairman. Suma will continue to […]
William Hawkins dies
William W. “Bill” Hawkins of Camden, S.C., died Aug. 25 after a brief illness. He was 76. Hawkins was manager of Woodward Field, Kershaw County Airport (CDN) and was inducted into the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1946, he joined the Army and was sent to Japan, returning home in December […]
Fantasy of Flight hosts the B-17 ‘Liberty Belle’
Kermit Weeks” Fantasy of Flight in Florida will play host to the restored B-17 Flying Fortress “Liberty Belle” over the winter months. She will be on display there from late November through early February. “Liberty Belle” is the most recently restored World War II B-17 and one of only 14 currently flying. Fantasy of Flight […]
A liability shield for Katrina volunteers
In mid-September, the House of Representatives passed a bill to protect volunteers assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina from any liability arising from injury and property damage. HR 3736 shields volunteers providing aid, medical treatment and rescue assistance. In the aftermath of Katrina, some relief organizations chose not to use aircraft and other assets offered […]
Coming Soon: ATG’s hot VLJ/Military Trainer
The twin jet, fighter-like Javelin very light business jet is ready for its first flight — to take place in late September or early October — as this is written. The Javelin Mk. 20 military trainer version is expected to fly soon afterward. First deliveries are scheduled for late 2007. Aviation Technology Group Chairman George […]
FAA fines Chicago for Meigs Field destruction
The FAA has demanded that the city of Chicago pay a $33,000 civil penalty for destruction of Merrill C. Meigs Field (CGX). The agency also is investigating an allegation that Chicago officials illegally diverted $1.5 million in funds from O”Hare (ORD) to pay for the destruction of Meigs. Such money is supposed to be used […]
‘Memphis Belle’ to Dayton
After 59 years in her namesake city, the B-17 “Memphis Belle” is on the move. The Memphis Belle Memorial Association is giving the airplane to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. The first B-17 to complete 25 missions during World War II, the “Memphis Belle” was named after a […]