For decades, researchers have been working on control algorithms for autonomous helicopters — robotic helicopters that pilot themselves, rather than requiring remote human guidance. Dozens of research teams have competed in a series of autonomous-helicopter challenges posed by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI); progress has been so rapid that the last two […]
Aircraft
Norway flight school orders Skycatchers
Cessna reports it sold three Skycatchers at AirVenture 2012 in Oshkosh. Executives with Pilot Academy of Sandefjord, Norway, noted that the effort to facilitate EASA certification by moving the Skycatcher into the primary category with the FAA played a large role in the decision. “We already have Cessna aircraft at our flight school in Norway, […]
Van’s introduces RV-14A
Van’s Aircraft surprised the crowds at AirVenture by introducing its newest model, the RV-14A. Company officials note the new model is a result of several years of intense effort by Van’s engineering staff. The goal was to meet or exceed the performance of a 180-hp/constant-speed RV-7 in an airplane with better comfort, better visibility, longer […]
Pratt & Whitney PW610 to power new Eclipse 550
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) PW610F engine has been selected by Eclipse Aerospace to power the next-generation Eclipse 550 twin-engine business jet. The PW610F has proven itself on the 261 Eclipse 500 aircraft currently in service with exceptional performance, efficiency and reliability, according to Eclipse officials. “This agreement expands our relationship with Eclipse Aerospace as […]
Chesapeake Sport Pilot offers flight training to wheelchair aviators
Chesapeake Sport Pilot in Stevensville, Maryland, now offers flight training to pilots who require hand controls rather than traditional aircraft foot controls to fly. This training is made possible by a specially outfitted CT LS light sport airplane that is being leased to Chesapeake Sport Pilot by Joseph D’Aguiar. “We are ecstatic about this plane […]
Texas pilot wins aircraft covering system
Brad Harman of Texas was named winner of Bruce’s Custom Covers custom-fitted aircraft cover awarded to a Gateway To Oshkosh Fly-in participant. Gateway To Oshkosh (GTO) is an annual event and home to more than 65 aircraft during AirVenture Oshkosh. Participants fly in, park their aircraft and stay in nearby Stevens Point, Wisconsin. In addition […]
Extended warranty for Airvan
GippsAero has extended its warranty on the GA8 Airvan to five years or 2,000 hours for all new aircraft. This five-year warranty is a three-year extension on top of the standard GippsAero two-year warranty that’s offered on the GA8 Airvan, and it will operate under identical terms and conditions, company officials said. GippsAero is not […]
President of Glasair Aviation resigns
Just a few weeks after announcing the sale of the company to a Chinese firm, Mikael Via, president and CEO of Glasair Aviation, has resigned from the Washington-based general aircraft company that he has led for over 11 years. Via, who said “it’s time” to “move on to other challenges in a prepared statement, was […]
Banyan appointed Florida Kodiak dealer
Banyan Air Service based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) has been appointed as a Quest Authorized Sales Center for the Kodiak. “Banyan is thrilled to be appointed as the Kodiak dealer for the Florida region,” said Michael O’Keeffe, Banyan’s senior vice president of aircraft sales. “This is a natural complement to our existing maintenance service […]