Australian pilot Russell Crane has received a provisional patent for the Green Orientation Light — or GO Light — a cockpit lighting system designed to solve the problem of spatial disorientation. “The GO Light is a system of light fixtures that will give pilots a constant reference point of the horizon in their peripheral vision, […]
General Aviation
Eclipse upgrade program sells out
Eclipse Aerospace reports that all 2014 Eclipse 500 PLUS upgrade positions have been sold. Since the program commenced March 12, more than 60 Eclipse Jet owners have selected the Eclipse 500 PLUS upgrade for their aircraft, company officials said. All of these upgrades will be completed in 2014. The Eclipse 500 PLUS program will remain open to […]
Piper runs out of fuel
Aircraft: Piper Comanche. Injuries: None. Location: Blacksburg, Va. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The accident happened during the approach to land. The pilot had the left fuel selector set to the left main tank and the right fuel selector was set to the right main tank. The engine began to lose power during the approach. The pilot […]
Subsonex JSX-2 makes first flights
OSHKOSH — Sonex Aircraft reports that the SubSonex Personal Jet model JSX-2 achieved first flight on Thursday, July 10, completing a series of initial flight tests through the remainder of the week. “Its flight characteristics can be summed up in two words,” remarks JSX-2 test pilot Bob Carlton, “fast and smooth. She handles great and climbs well.” The initial […]
SMO to be on November ballot
The Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters has ruled that the residents of the city of Santa Monica can vote Nov. 16 on an initiative requiring a vote from residents before the city can make any changes to land uses at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO). According to a post at AOPA.org, nearly 16,000 Santa […]
Friday Harbor Fly-In set for July 26
If airport events conjure up big crowds on acres of concrete, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that one of America’s quaint little islands is about to host its fifth annual Fly-In and Community Open House, Saturday, July 26. Friday Harbor Airport, on San Juan Island in Washington state, hosts a free day-long family friendly event, […]
The ‘voice’ of the Friday Harbor Fly-In
If you have been at Friday Harbor Airport in Washington state for its annual Fly-In and Community Open House, you have heard its announcer describing the exciting fly-bys of antique and military planes. But you may not know that you were hearing the voice of Richard Drury. Rick really knows airplanes, especially the giant Douglas […]
Pilot Proficiency Project returns to AirVenture
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) and Redbird Flight Simulations will host free Pilot Proficiency Program sessions at AirVenture 2014 from Monday, July 28, through Saturday, Aug. 2. The sessions will focus solely on 11 VFR and IFR scenarios in a Redbird MCX motion simulator, which is a full-motion Aviation Training Device with dual controls […]
Platinum Tools introduces PRO 6-in-1 Screwdriver
CAMARILLO , Calif. – Platinum Tools has introduced the PRO 6-in-1 Screwdriver. The screwdrivers are now shipping with an MSRP of $14.95. “This ergonomically designed screwdriver has a high impact plastic core covered in a comfortable cushion grip handle,” explained John Phillips, Platinum Tools product manager. “These features allow the screwdriver to be used for extended […]