After a dismal 2020, aircraft deliveries are up so far in 2021, according to new figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. “The first nine months of 2021 have shown great progress and we look forward to seeing how the year closes out,” GAMA President Pete Bunce said.
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Giving kids hands-on experience
The winners of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s 2021 Aviation Design Challenge got some hands-on experience at Eviation and CubCrafters, while the second place team got their own two-day STEM Lab Camp presented by Redbird Flight Simulations.
GA advocacy groups ask Congress to increase funding for alternative fuels
“We believe the fuels testing program is at a critical juncture and we request the final conference agreement contain a funding level of $10 million,” the GA advocates told Congress. “There is still considerable work to be done to address the environmental and regulatory challenges associated with piston aviation fuels and your support is key to addressing them in a way that does not compromise aviation safety.”
Business Aviation Fact Book updated
This year’s edition of the Fact Book also highlights the emphasis business aviation has had on sustainability, association officials note. Over the past four decades, business aviation has achieved a 40% reduction in carbon emissions, officials add.
Recovery continues for aircraft manufacturers
The general aviation manufacturing industry continues to recover from the pandemic, with sales during the first half of 2021 up in all categories of aircraft.
Registration opens for Aviation Design Challenge
Now in its 10th year, the competition will be open to 150 teams from schools across the U.S.
Seattle-area school takes top honors in Aviation Design Challenge
A team from Raisbeck Aviation High School won the challenge, which required them to modify a Glasair Sportsman to fly as many COVID-19 vaccines as fast as possible from Seattle, Washington, to Packwood, Washington. The teams needed to design their aircraft to maximize transportable payload and successfully land on a small runway, surrounded by high terrain.
Latest numbers shows ‘progress’ for GA
In its general aviation aircraft shipments and billings report for the first quarter of 2021, GAMA reports that deliveries increased for turbine helicopters and propeller airplanes, while business jet and piston helicopter shipments were flat compared to the same period of 2020, which in its closing weeks saw the onset of the pandemic.
Legal decision creates ‘confusion and concern’ about flight training
In a court case, judges ruled that “a flight instructor who receives compensation for flight instruction is carrying persons for compensation or hire.” This created confusion among flight instructors about what is — and isn’t — allowed in flight training.