Mark Phelps

Alan Klapmeier has begun approaching investors in an attempt to purchase the rights to develop and build the Cirrus Vision Jet. For the past two months, the current chairman of Cirrus Design has been meeting with as many as 100 potential investors. Kuwait-based Arcapita Ventures currently controls Cirrus Design and the rights to developing the […]

As of June 12, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has suspended the type certificate of the Eclipse 500. The certification was granted last November after a long delay, four months after Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Eclipse Aviation announced the removal of founder Vern Raburn from control of the company. Four days after receiving EASA approval, […]

Last week it was an electric airplane reaching 155 knots. This week, we’re reporting on Solar Impulse, a Swiss-based project aimed at launching an airplane around the world using only the power of the sun. According to team leaders, the aircraft will need to “[push] back the current technological limits in all fields.” But the […]

Last week, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association met with ASTM International, the independent organization that sets consensus standards for fuels approved for FAA type certified aircraft. The discussions included the role ASTM will play in the future of leaded, unleaded and diesel fuel specifications for GA aircraft. Among the issues raised by the pilots’ […]

Last Week, the House passed its appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 2010 budget. As part of the bill, the DHS would require the resubmission of a new notice of proposed rulemaking by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to replace the so-called Large Aircraft Security Program or LASP. Another provision of the […]

I’m getting ready for my biennial flight review, and I’m incorporating an instrument proficiency check, even though I’m technically current. For someone like me who doesn’t fly real IFR often enough, one way to remain comfortable is to supplement experience with regular recurrent training. I really should do more. I admit that one of the […]

According to a recent report from UBS Investment Research, the number of used business jets on the market has stabilized. That’s the good news. Temper it with the acknowledgement that 18 percent of the in-service fleet is on the block; a record level. A bit more good news comes from the fact that, for aircraft […]

With green in mind, the SkySpark project flew its Pioner Alpi 300 two-place airplane for the first time last week, and two days later flew again-this time reaching 155 mph (approximately 132 knots). The airplane is powered with a 75 kw motor driven by lithium polymer batteries installed in the right passenger seat. More information […]

His FJ44 and FJ33 series engines spawned an entire class of light jets, and his ambition was to promote a generation of even smaller turbofans for four- to six-place aircraft. Dr. Sam Williams died Monday at the age of 88. His son Gregg, the current president, will now assume the added role of Chairman at […]

Pending legal action, private flying could get a lot less private. Through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), news agency ProPublica petitioned the FAA to release the list of operators who had blocked their tail numbers from Internet sites displaying air traffic control data. The FAA initially approved ProPublica’s request and was ready to release […]