WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA is establishing an aviation rulemaking committee to develop recommendations for regulations that would allow certain remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) — also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones — to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft. FAA officials say they are taking […]
Briefings
Avionics sales top $2.4 billion in 2015
A strong fourth quarter pushed worldwide avionics sales above $2.4 billion, according to the Year-End Avionics Market Report released by the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA). But sales were still down 4.4% when compared to the previous year, according to AEA officials. The dollar amount reported (using net sales price, not manufacturer’s suggested retail price) includes: All business and […]
Diamond DA62 certified
Diamond‘s new DA62 twin has received FAA certification, clearing the way for U.S. customer deliveries. The DA62, first introduced in 2012 as the DA52, is available in two configurations: With five seats and a 4,407-pound maximum takeoff weight, and seven seats with a 5,071-pound limit. The twin is powered by a pair of Austro Engine AE […]
AFA Flying Services tapped as Cirrus service center
SANFORD, Fla. – Cirrus Aircraft recently certified AFA Flying Services, a division of Aerosim Flight Academy, as a Cirrus Authorized Service Center (ASC). AFA Flying Services, located at the Orlando Sanford International Airport, provides general aviation maintenance and storage in its 7,000-square-foot hangar. All Cirrus ASCs receive on-going factory training, use factory approved troubleshooting and […]
First Merlin PSA in U.S. takes flight
The first Merlin Personal Sport Aircraft (PSA) in the U.S. has taken flight. “The acceleration and climb rate are exhilarating,” said pilot Chip Erwin. “It brings the sport back into sport planes with a power-to-weight ratio about 50% higher than most Light-Sport Aircraft. It will be perfect on our new amphibious floats!” The Merlin PSA is an […]
OpenAirplane raises funding
CHICAGO – OpenAirplane, an online service that connects pilots to planes across the U.S. much like a rental car company, has secured $500,000 in seed funding from several investors in Chicago and abroad. The funds will help OpenAirplane hire more developers, accelerate growth, and build new products. “I am tremendously excited about my investment in OpenAirplane. […]
Hartzell Engine Technologies completes purchase of C&D Associates
Hartzell Engine Technologies has finalized the purchase of C&D Associates, which manufactures a line of branded aircraft cabin combustion heaters, as well as FAA-approved PMA parts for Janitrol and South Wind cabin heaters. “We are very happy to welcome the C&D line of products to the Hartzell Engine Technologies cabin heater family,” Mike Disbrow, president of […]
Cobalt Valkyrie pre-orders top $50 Million in 90 days
SAN FRANCISCO — Cobalt reports it received more than $50 million in pre-orders for the company’s first two models — the Co50 Valkyrie and the Valkyrie-X — within the first 90 days. The fully certified version, Co50 Valkyrie, and the experimental version, Valkyrie-X, were publicly introduced Nov. 12, 2015. Upon opening the order book, Cobalt officials said they received hundreds […]
The Sporty’s Foundation releases annual report
The Sporty’s Foundation made bequests totaling $152,500 during 2015, acting on its commitment to attract more pilots and aviation technicians to general aviation. The Sporty’s Foundation has provided more than $1 million since its inception to assist a variety of groups and organizations whose goals align with theirs. Overhead and administrative costs for the foundation are […]