What’s going on out in the marketplace? More than any time since the launch of Light-Sport Aircraft in 2004, I have not observed such a frenzy of activity for a particular niche, this time for LSA seaplanes. Next season, in 2013, we could see no less than nine entries — three brand new — and […]
General Aviation
CAP pilots volunteer for ‘target’ pratice
It’s a beautiful day to be flying your Cessna above Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, taking in the view of the Chesapeake Bay, when — out of nowhere — an F-16 fighter jet suddenly pulls up beside you because your plane has no business being there. Charlie Martinez, Rick Mickerand Robert Bolling know the feeling. Recently […]
A new seaplane base in New York
Bill Schmalz, who organizes the South Florida Seaplane Splash-in every year and is quite active in the Seaplane Pilots Association, recently sent us some pictures of a “new” seaplane base in the New York City area — LaGuardia Airport after Superstorm Sandy. He notes that it’s only fitting, as the airport was originally a seaplane […]
XtremeAir receives FAA nod for aerobatic airplane
Germany-based XtremeAir has received FAA certification for its two-seat aerobatic airplane XA42. XtremeAir GmbH is an EASA-certified company that develops and manufactures carbon fiber composite aerobatic aircraft. The company has been based at Magdeburg/Cochstedt Airport in central Germany since 2005. The XA42 is manufactured and certified entirely with both a carbon fiber composite fuselage and […]
Driving drones can be a drag
Study shows distractions may alleviate boredom and improve drone operators’ performance. CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — On its surface, operating a drone looks a lot like playing a video game: Operators sit at workstations, manipulating joysticks to remotely adjust a drone’s pitch and elevation, while grainy images from the vehicle’s camera project onto a computer screen. An […]
Make shopping for a pilot easier with Sporty’s Gift Guide
Now available is Sporty’s Gift Guide, which makes holiday shopping for pilots easier by allowing people to shop by the pilot’s ratings or by price. “We know that shopping for a pilot is notoriously difficult and the number of choices from Sporty’s can be overwhelming,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “And of course, everyone […]
Electrical failure leads to gear-up landing
Aircraft: Piper Arrow. Injuries: None. Location: Spring Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Shortly after takeoff, the airplane experienced an electrical failure. The pilot elected to return to his departure airport for landing. He performed an emergency landing gear extension, however, with no electrical power remaining, he could not verify that the landing gear […]
The ever-popular Swift
When it comes to aircraft production, timing is critical. The history of general aviation is replete with designs that had the misfortune of being introduced at the beginning of the Depression or World War II, and then being lost to a nose-diving economy or a change in resource allocation. If it was a good design, […]
GA continues on NTSB most wanted list
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation continues on the ‘‘10 most wanted” list issued by the National Transportation Safety Board, but GA organizations point out strides made in advancing the safety rate. The general aviation accident rate has remained relatively steady over the past 10 years at 6.8 per 100,000 flight hours. However, components of general […]