Mark Phelps

A partnership deal with a Chinese technology group has pulled Superior Air Parts back from bankruptcy. The Weifang Tianxiang Technology Group is also supported by an alliance with the People’s Republic of China in the deal. Superior has been operating under the financial cloud since 2009, and the new entity will be named Superior Aviation. […]

After a soggy start that challenged EAA AirVenture planners to the utmost, the annual Oshkosh extravaganza finished strong on Sunday. EAA President and Chairman Tom Poberezny (who hands off the title of president next month to newcomer Rod Hightower) said, “The preparations for this year’s event were the most challenging in my 35 years as […]

Even with a stone-age /U-equipped airplane, I have always preferred to file IFR for most flights. That’s for a number of reasons familiar to all instrument pilots. In order of priority, the top four are: traffic advisories; not having to worry about TFRs or other restricted airspace; no bobbing and weaving over, under and around […]

Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association held a press conference at AirVenture on Wednesday. He outlined the state of the industry to date — with more than 108 aircraft models from 72 manufacturers in the fold. He also discussed a new safety website where potential buyers can go to learn about safety […]

General aviation training legends John and Martha King took the stage at a press conference to announce “Parrot,” the newest feature from Redbird Flight Simulations. The new technology, introduced by Redbird founder Jerry Gregoire, simulates air traffic controllers, with directions and procedures appropriate to the weather and location plugged into the sim. For example, if […]

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt met the press yesterday at EAA AirVenture. He cited the primary areas of concern for GA pilots as safety, professionalism and how we will meet the needs of the coming NextGen air traffic control update. Babbitt said the first six months of the year have seen 120 fatal accidents. Though there […]

AirVenture is often the site of lofty projects, and this year’s show was the debut of the Co50. At a Wednesday press conference Cobalt head David Loury introduced his ambitious project, which is still in semi-mockup form. Loury announced that the company would begin taking deposits at the show. The Cobalt Co50 is a four/five-place […]

Aspen Avionics announced at AirVenture it now has geo-referencing for the approach procedures and airport diagrams shown on Aspen multifunction displays (MFDs). Working with software provider Seattle Avionics Software, Aspen now offers geo-referenced versions of the government’s AeroNav (formerly NACO) charts for Aspen’s EFD1000 and EFD500 MFDs. The feature incorporates Seattle Avionics ChartData library, including […]

Driven by a group of MIT alumni, the Terrafugia ‘Transition’ roadable aircraft project has been refined. The canard surface is gone, and the rear ‘fantail’ surface has given way to a twin-boom configuration. Both aerodynamic changes were driven by early test flights in which the Transition was hard pressed to rotate sufficiently. Elevator authority has […]

The NTSB has scarcely begun its investigation of Tuesday evening’s crash at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. According to EAA, NASCAR team leader Jack Roush, 68, was returning to Oshkosh after flying his P-51 Mustang back to Willow Run, Michigan. He had performed in the Mustang at the afternoon air show. At about 6:15 pm CDT, Roush […]