Aircraft: Piper Malibu Mirage. Injuries: 3 Fatal. Location: Rantoul, Ill. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The day before the accident the pilot, who was reported to have logged at least 1,850 hours, obtained a computerized weather briefing and filed a flight plan. However, none of the weather information he obtained was current at the […]
General Aviation
Trim the cost of learning to fly
It has been said that copper wire was invented when two pilots found the same penny. We are a notoriously frugal bunch, due in part, no doubt, to the cost of our passion. But it is possible to cut costs when learning how to fly. Accelerated learning programs Stretching out the training process tends to […]
NextGen still facing unresolved issues
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The FAA’s program for the Next Generation Air Traffic Control system (NextGen) has made some progress, but still lacks major planning decisions and actions that can both delay implementation and substantially increase the cost. At a Congressional hearing Wednesday, July 17, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation said the FAA has taken […]
Sonex enters quick build market
Sonex Aircraft now has available new Quick Build options for the Sonex, Waiex, and Onex aircraft models. These new kit upgrades consist of Sonex Aircraft Complete Airframe Kits with major assemblies pre-constructed; the fuselage and wing of the aircraft will be included assembled and riveted, and the aircraft canopy will be installed. Sonex and […]
Independence Aviation teams with STEM Ventures
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Thanks to an aviation lab for sixth- through ninth-graders, 20 students from the South Metro Denver area are getting up-close-and-personal with the world of flight this week at Centennial Airport. The lab is a joint venture by Independence Aviation (IA), a flight school/flight services company based in Centennial Airport, and STEM Ventures, […]
VNY’s main runway closes for improvement work
VAN NUYS, Calif. — A 24-hour, 10-day closure of Van Nuys Airport’s 8,000-foot primary runway, 16R/34L, has begun as part of the final phase of a $20.5 million improvement project that began last February. The closure began July 16, at 10 p.m., to prepare the runway for work that will officially commence on July 17 […]
Jeppesen teams with Pacific Coast Avionics
Jeppesen and Pacific Coast Avionics now offer Jeppesen’s NavData and charting information in bundled service options. Jeppesen data is now available for Garmin, Avidyne, Dynon Avionics and Aspen Avionics units for general aviation pilots, through the new bundled service agreement with Pacific Coast Avionics. A dedicated Pacific Coast Avionics Web portal has been created for […]
Starr Aviation partners with SAFE on accident forgiveness
Starr Aviation, a division of Starr Indemnity & Liability Co., recently partnered with the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) and Redbird Flight Simulations to reward participation in the Pilot Proficiency Project. Available at major aviation events, the project offers a series of FAA WINGS-approved seminars and simulator training scenarios that address common causes […]
Beechcraft appoints two new service centers
Beechcraft Corp. has appointed Cutter Aviation in Phoenix and Flying Colours Corp. in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, as authorized service centers (ASCs) for the company’s King Air, Baron and Bonanza aircraft. Cutter Aviation, founded in 1928, operates a network of eight locations in seven major cities in the Southwest. Its facility at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) […]