Richard W. Newell, co-founder and former president of O&N Aircraft Modifications on the Seamans Airport in Factoryville, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 17. A native of Caldwell, Texas, Newell had a long career in the aircraft modification business, working for Riley Aircraft, and later RAM Aircraft, in Waco, Texas. In 1982 he relocated to Pennsylvania, where he […]
Seaplane Pilots’ Code of Conduct released
A recently released Seaplane Pilots’ Model Code of Conduct presents industry wisdom, advice and recommendations for seaplane pilots to improve airmanship and flight safety, as well as sustain and improve the seaplane community. Released by the same folks who put together the Aviators’ Model Code of Conduct, the seaplane code is a voluntary, ethical code […]
New FAA seaplane handbook available
Seaplane pilots can now download a new training handbook from the FAA. The new Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski-Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook is packed with information covering the basic skills necessary for flying seaplanes, skiplanes and float or ski-equipped helicopters. It is aimed at pilots who already have their private certificates, but it also is beneficial […]
Seaplane pilots dispute proposed manatee refuge in Florida
The Seaplane Pilots Association is disputing the findings of an environmental assessment that led to a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a manatee refuge in Lee County, Florida. The proposed refuge, which surrounds Pine Island and includes Estero Bay, is to take the place of a virtually identical state refuge eliminated […]
Citation Mustang development on track
Cessna employees mated the wing to the fuselage of the Citation Mustang prototype earlier this month. The entire process took less than 20 minutes. The wing-mate is the latest in a long list of program milestones for the company’s newest jet. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the outstanding progress of the Citation Mustang certification […]
Eclipse test fleet grows
Eclipse Aviation’s next two FAA conforming Eclipse 500 very light jets, N502EA and N504EA, have completed wing-mate and are standing on their own gear as they approach their first flight tests later this quarter. The two will join N503EA, which has been running flight tests since Dec. 31, to complete the Eclipse 500 FAA certification […]
Aerocomp jet joined by turboprop
Aircraft kit builder Aerocomp, not content to build an innovative single-engine jet, is introducing an equally innovative – and equally big – single engine turboprop. The Comp Air Jet completed more than 30 hours of flight testing at Titusville, Florida, during the winter, returning to the firm’s Merritt Island base in January. The jet was […]
GlobalFlyer launch date pushed up again
Launch date of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer’s world-record attempt has been pushed up again. Weather conditions don’t look favorable until after Feb. 21 for Steve Fossett’s attempt at the first solo, non-stop, non-refueled around-the-world flight attempt.
AOPA awards Twin Comanche
A South Carolina pilot is the proud owner of a newly restored 1965 Piper Twin Comanche. Roy Wilbanks of Greenwood, S.C., is the grand prize winner in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s 2004 Win-A-Twin Sweepstakes. Wilbanks, who is co-owner of a Piper J-3 Cub, also won initial multi-engine training from American Flyers and type-specific […]