WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thanks to NASA and a regional airline, pilots soon will have better weather information. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has teamed with Mesaba Airlines to equip dozens of Mesaba aircraft with the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Report (TAMDAR) instrument. According to NASA, the TAMDAR sensor allows aircraft flying below 25,000 feet […]
If the octane is the same, does it matter if the fuel is unleaded?
Phil Smith from Iowa wrote to ask about leaded vs. unleaded octane. He heard at a seminar that “”?when the octane is maintained, lead is NOT necessary in an aircraft engine.”” Phil Smith from Iowa wrote to ask about leaded vs. unleaded octane. He heard at a seminar that “”?when the octane is maintained, lead […]
The Magic Number
By PETER M. BOWERS. Those of us who own or rent airplanes are aware of the registration numbers, or N numbers, that each must carry. Few, however, realize that those numbers are not cast in concrete, but are transferable. An owner can cancel a number that came with his plane and replace it with one […]
Progress continues on first RV-10
Jean and Ken Barto, proud owners of the first RV-10 kit to be delivered, report they are making excellent progress on construction of their aircraft. The Bartos took possession of the kit in the fall of 2004 and have been providing General Aviation News with regular updates on their progress. When we last heard from […]
New Glasair Sportsman- Putting it all together
When some people buy a kit plane, they grossly underestimate how long it will take to build their dream machine. They spend hours building jigs and doing prep work for a few precious minutes of assembly. Then there’s the cleanup process, which takes even more time. “And you feel like you are not getting anywhere,” […]
Bird strike leads to an emergency landing in an alfalfa field
These March 2003 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Kit Fox. Location: Glendale, Ariz. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: During cruise flight the CFI and the pilot receiving instruction heard […]
Power C.A.T. for your taildragger
How do you pull your taildragger out of the hangar? If you’re looking for a way to move your pride and joy that doesn’t involve an extension cord or a show of muscle, check with the folks at Old World Craftsman in Caledonia, Minnesota. The company makes a cordless tug powered by a variable-speed cordless […]
ExxonMobil introduces oil for breaking in piston engines
ExxonMobil Aviation Lubricants has introduced Exxon Aviation Oil 20W-50, a non-dispersant lubricant for the break-in of new or newly overhauled aircraft piston engines. The multi-grade oil can be used year-round, in high- and low-temperature climates. “Aviation engine builders and overhaul companies recommend or require a non-dispersant oil for break-in during an engine’s first hours of […]
Aspen Avionics AT300 Hazard Display now shipping
The AT300 Hazard Awareness Display, providing affordable terrain and moving map multifunction display capability to general aviation aircraft owners, has entered full rate production and is being shipped to Aspen Avionics dealers. The AT300 provides full-color moving map multifunction display (MFD) technology in a standard 3-inch instrument format. Designed to replace a legacy VSI, it […]