Mark Phelps

Viewers of Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show on Comedy Central are not accustomed to tuning in to learn about high-tech aviation developments. But in the episode linked here, Stewart conducts a lengthy (and amusing) discussion on unmanned flight with former F/A-18 Navy pilot “Missy” Cummings (callsign: “Shrew”), who is currently an associate professor of aeronautics […]

A powerful Antarctic storm with 100-mph winds and heavy snow is impeding rescue efforts for the crew of a Canadian Twin Otter. The de Havilland twin turboprop is assumed to have gone down in mountains at roughly 13,000 feet above sea level Wednesday night on a flight from the South Pole to an Italian base […]

If ABC News is on target, airshow pilot and self-promoted daredevil Jason Newburg may be looking for a new meal ticket. A video posted on YouTube shows Newburg buzzing an ATV rider on a runway and narrowly missing the photographer. ABC reporter Jim Avila said analysis of the video indicates the airplane was flying at […]

In this video posted on YouTube, Fantasy of Flight founder Kermit Weeks spoke vaguely about the “visit” from Howard Hughes that led to his latest acquisition for his Fantasy of Flight attraction in Polk City, Florida. It’s Howard Hughes’ personal transport, a 1937 Sikorsky S-43 amphibian, the only one of 53 built that could possibly […]

Last week the FAA moved in two opposite directions, proposing a rule that would ban the use of personal electronics by airline pilots in the cockpit, but also responding favorably to a call to loosen restrictions on such devices in the passenger cabin. The rule on pilots’ use was prompted, in part, by an incident […]

Every Wednesday at noon (EST) and Thursday at 5 p.m., you can drag yourself away from routine computer activity and learn something new about avionics. At these times, Avidyne hosts live webinars on a variety of topics, naturally related to its products, but useful and informative in a general sense, as well. For example, this […]

Menominee, Michigan-based Enstrom Helicopters is now owned by Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. Enstrom president Jerry Mullins emphasized that the company’s U.S. presence would continue to grow, saying, “It will provide Enstrom with the needed resources to enhance marketing efforts in China and around the world.” Enstrom has plans to continue expansion in Menominee, having grown […]

Astronics Max-Viz infrared enhanced vision systems are now available for Cessna 172, 182 and 206 piston singles. Priced at just over $30,000 for a retrofit system ($22,145 as an option on a new aircraft), the system includes a wing-mounted infrared camera feeding a full- or split-screen black-and-white depiction on the Garmin G1000 multifunction display. The […]

Yet another airport in New Jersey is shutting down, though this time there might be hope of a revival in the future. Newton Airport (3N5) has been sold to Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), which intends to use the 96-acre site to store material and construction equipment for a new transmission line in the […]

After a series of tantalizing Facebook posts Kermit Weeks announced yesterday that he has concluded a decade-long quest. The sole remaining flyable Sikorsky S-43 flying boat (of 53 built in the 1930s) is now his. Weeks also believes that the metaphysical spirit of the airplane’s former owner, Howard Hughes, himself, helped him acquire the aircraft. […]