Mark Phelps

General aviation might not be climbing out of its hole, but at least there are signs that the excavation has stopped. Business consultancy firm UBS Investment Research has reported that the inventory of pre-owned business jets for sale could be leveling off after soaring for several months. The number of pre-owned jets for sale is […]

I worked as the graduate placement officer at an A&P school many years ago. The students would perform the annual inspections on my little Grumman Yankee; under the supervision of their properly licensed instructors, of course. Like now, general aviation was in a down cycle, and I remember nervously addressing the graduating class, explaining how […]

Eagle Creek Aviation Services, based in Indianapolis, has completed and delivered one of its signature Grand Renaissance Twin Commanders to Kern County, California. The county will use the revitalized twin turboprop in two distinct roles; as a command-and-control aircraft for spotting and fighting wildfires; and as VIP transport. Grand Renaissance Twin Commanders incorporate upgraded Honeywell […]

Part of the strategy seems to be to change the name on the door while still looking for someone who will pay the rent. Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH is now officially renamed Centurion Aircraft Engines AG & Co. KG. Insolvency administrator Bruno Kubler made the announcement last week, saying, “Centurion can quickly establish itself on […]

A Monday report in the Wichita Eagle cites “rumors” that Cessna’s parent company Textron could be for sale. The news drove Textron stock up-though it still rests far closer to the bottom of its fluctuation curve than the top. According to some observers in the finance sector, Lockheed Martin could be among the potential buyers-though […]

“The industry is trying to stimulate interest in flying, but the data suggest that more needs to be done.” That may be an understatement, but the FAA’s annual aviation forecast, released last week, included this bit of wisdom. What’s encouraging is that the tone of the statement-and the attitude apparent throughout the rest of the […]

More than 100 Cessna Corvalis 400 TTs are now equipped with TKS ice protection as a factory option or retrofit. Now, owners of Corvalis 300/350s can have the system installed. CAV Aerospace, which holds the patent for the “weeping wing” TKS system, announced last week it has received an amended FAA Supplemental Type Certificate to […]

Everyone’s hoping for signs of a turnaround, and last week’s Aviation Electronics Association trade show in Dallas looks like it was just the ticket. The prevailing wisdom seemed to be that, while sales of big-ticket new aircraft may be stalled, owners of older airplanes could be having their day. Glass avionics suites finally trickled down […]

As the February 1 deadline for satellite surveillance of 121.5 MHz came and went, I admit I was relieved that I was not required to switch to a new 406 MHz ELT. But after reading John Collins’ “Avionics” column in the April issue of the American Bonanza Society magazine, I’m tempted to spring for one […]

Billing its XL2 as “the most economical certified aircraft” on the IFR market, Liberty Aerospace has nevertheless seen its workforce dwindle to some 32 employees-down from a high of 180. Company president Keith Markley reports the company has no intention of shutting down, and he hopes to continue production with the current staffing at Liberty’s […]