The increase in glass panel cockpits in general aviation aircraft has not had a dramatic impact on safety, according to new research by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation’s Air Safety Institute. Glass panels were introduced first in higher-performance aircraft that are typically used for business and personal travel, and have since become standard […]
Pilots
AeroPremier Jet Center debuts at NEW
After almost four years, AeroPremier Jet Center finally moves into its new FBO offices at New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEWS) in a recently renovated terminal. Formerly a National Guard helicopter facility, the building was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina and it was uncertain what the fate of the structure would be pending FEMA funding discussions. In […]
IMC Club opens three new chapters
IMC Club International is opening three new chapters in the next two weeks. Pilots will gather at Iowa Flight Training in Cedar Rapids on March 6; North Ramp Aviation in South Burlington, Vt., on March 8, and MotionAir Aviation in Midlothian, Texas for the official inaugural meeting of the new IMC Club chapters. At the […]
Honoring 50 safe years in the air
Since its inception in 2007, more than 2,000 pilots have received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the FAA. The award, which recognizes 50 years of accident-free flying, consolidated several similar pilot awards, such as the Golden Eagle Award, that had been presented by various Flight Standards District Offices over the years. The award […]
DRE 8001 headset debuts
Headsets Inc. now has available the new model DRE 8001 active noise reduction headset with Bluetooth. Made in America, the new headset integrates a “Lynx” Bluetooth audio controller into the existing DRE 6001 headset, company officials said. The Lynx is an audio/comm/power controller providing Bluetooth, Hi-Fi amplification of audio input, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, plus traditional […]
Navigation simulator app released
Digital Aviation has released a lower cost iPhone/iPod touch version of its mobile flight simulator for radio navigation training. Radio Navigation Simulator is a 2D flight simulator, designed for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, that enables pilots and students to practice and become proficient in the use and management of VOR, VOR-DME and ADF instruments, […]
FAA proposes to raise pilot qualification standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has proposed to substantially raise the qualification requirements for first officers who fly for U.S. passenger and cargo airlines. The proposed rule would require first officers to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, requiring 1,500 hours of flight time. Currently, first officers are required to have only a commercial […]
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 […]
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 […]