Mark Phelps

If you’re here at EAA AirVenture, chances are you’ve been tempted by some cutting edge device you’ve seen in the display booths. There’s also a good chance you’ve expanded the budget envelope and you’re bringing one of them home with you. Normally, you’d open the box, lay out all the accessories in their plastic bags […]

At EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Cirrus updated the status of its Vision jet program; as well as outlining a series of recent global partnerships. Cirrus co-founder Dale Klapmeier addressed the thorny issue of the jet head-on. For the last few months, his brother and co-founder of the company Alan Klapmeier has been approaching potential investors […]

Even though I fly a Technologically Challenged Airplane, I do have a Garmin 396 with datalinked XM Weather. My trip to Oshkosh last Friday would not have worked without it. I filed IFR from home base, Somerset Airport in New Jersey, to my fuel stop at Sandusky, Ohio. With the headwinds forecast by fltplan.com, I […]

Lycoming flew a Lancair Evolution to Oshkosh, powered by its new TEO-540-EXP iE2 engine. Advantages of the 350-hp engine include single-lever operation, automated preflight safety checks, automotive start simplicity and reduced pilot workload. The iE2 system also allows use of alternative fuels and promises increased fuel efficiency and reliability. The iE2 system was announced at […]

Piper made its first appearance at AirVenture under new ownership and under the stewardship of new CEO Kevin Gould and President John Becker. Now owned by Imprimis, Piper unveiled sweeping plans to expand its product line globally and moved to “reintroduce” two of its training airplanes, the Warrior and the Seminole, in support of the […]

On the plus side, the bill introduced last week by the Senate Commerce Committee would fund the FAA for two years-with a budget of some $35 billion-and without user fees. The bill also includes a mandate to move forward with implementing the NextGen modernization of the air traffic control system. The down side is the […]

The most recent issue of FAA Aviation News (available at the FAA Safety Center at EAA AirVenture) focuses on the Light Sport category. The official FAA publication highlights pilots’ opportunities related to light-sport flying. It also includes an overview of sport-pilot certificate privileges, offers training advice and notes maintenance requirements for light sport operations. Master […]

The F-22 Raptor will cease its production run at 187 units, with funding shifted to the multirole F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). While the Raptor is a more sophisticated air superiority fighter, the less expensive JSF is intended to replace both F-16s and A-10 attack jets. The F-35 would also be available to Navy and […]

New FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has a fresh view on how to handle controllers responsible for “operational errors.” These events are defined as when proper distance between aircraft is not maintained. Previously, the controller on duty had his or her name included in the report and was automatically removed from their position. Under the new […]

Tom Peghiny’s e-Spyder At last year’s AirVenture, Randall Fishman hushed the crowds with his whisper-quiet single-seat ElectraFlyer-C. This year, he’s doubled down on that bet with plans to bring a two-place version called the ElectraFlyer-X. This one will draw juice from Fishman’s self-designed 50-hp motor and battery combination. Pending development progress, he plans to fly […]