A new ebook, “Learning to Fly an Airplane: Insider information from a student’s perspective,” seeks to open up the flight training process and help people interested in becoming a pilot get the most value for their time, money, and effort. The ebook is not about how to fly, according to the author, Ted Seastrom. Instead, […]
General Aviation
Women in Aviation unveils lineup of conference speakers
The 23rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, slated March 8-10, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, will feature a variety of speakers, including Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. Huerta will begin Friday’s General Session sponsored by the Helicopter Association International (HAI), EAA, GAMA, and NBAA. WAI will then present a panel of women […]
Becker Avionics debuts new emergency beacon locator
Becker Avionics has introduced its new airborne Beacon Decoder (BD) 406. The Emergency Beacon Locator or Beacon Decoder (BD) 406 provides a tool for Search and Rescue organizations. The BD406 is a fixed installation or portable receiver developed specifically to decode and navigate to 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat capable beacons (PLBs, SPLBs, ELTs or EPIRBs) transmitting […]
Loose nut, poor decision smokes Piper
This February 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Piper Saratoga. Injuries: None. Location: Dolan Spring, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: During the airplane’s last annual inspection, which took place five […]
General aviation user fee civility
User fees have reared their head in President Obama’s fiscal year 2013 proposed budget. Longtime General Aviation News columnist Charles Spence wrote about a letter 100 mayors sent to President Obama regarding the budget’s potential $100-per-flight fee. The comments that follow are interesting. Commenter “gbin” says: “I wonder how many of the mayors who signed […]
GAO: NextGen over budget and behind schedule
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After causing the FAA to limp along on 23 temporary funding extensions, Congress finally passed a four-year authorization last month. A question now facing FAA watchers is: Will this steadier funding mean a smoothing of the turbulence the agency has seen in developing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)? A report […]
Autogas passes the quack test
You know the old adage, right? “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” This year marks the 30th anniversary since the FAA approved the first STC for the use of autogas in aircraft. Since then, it has enjoyed an excellent track […]
AD issued on Lycoming carburetors
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive (AD) on carburetors installed on many Lycoming engines. According to a report at EAA.org, the AD targets only 409 carburetors, but 10,700 engines must be inspected to determine if they have one of the defective carbs. Effective date for the AD is March 27, 2012.
Thinking of buying a plane?
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is hosting a free webinar “Aircraft Ownership: Tips on Buying and Owning an Aircraft,” Wednesday, Feb. 29. Hear the first-hand the purchasing experience of an aircraft owner and learn from the ownership tips he will share. Get answers from representatives of AOPA Aircraft Financing Program, AOPA Insurance Agency, AIC […]