Rob Mark

Textron Aviation last week said both new Beechcraft and Cessna piston aircraft will soon include new standard and optional equipment, part of Garmin’s G1000 NXi next-generation integrated flight deck, providing pilots with enhanced control and connectivity in the cockpit. New equipment includes the latest Garmin GMA 1360 audio panel with enhanced audio capabilities and Bluetooth […]

An experienced, commercially-rated pilot made what could certainly be considered a rookie mistake during his approach to runway 18 at the Jesse Viertel Memorial airport in Booneville, Missouri. The pilot, flying a Bellanca Viking in April 2017, flew the final approach at an extremely low altitude, much lower than normal, on a day without a […]

When Cirrus aircraft began entering the market around the turn of this century, some pundits were certain the new-age, glass-cockpit airplane was just what the industry needed to improve the single-engine safety record. As it turned out, the first decade or so of Cirrus operations were marred by more than a few fatal accidents, despite […]

Members of the National Air Controllers Association will today join NATCA president Paul Rinaldi and representatives of a number of other aviation industry unions and associations, as well as Congressional members from both sides of the aisle, to protest the partial government shutdown that the day after tomorrow will set a new record as the […]

Ahead of next month’s release by the NTSB of its Most Wanted List of safety priorities, the Aviation Safety Network published its 2018 statistics that showed 15 fatal airliner accidents, that resulted in 556 fatalities. “Despite several high-profile accidents, 2018 was one of the safest years ever for commercial aviation.” ASN said last year was […]

People at Southwest Airlines knew Herb Kelleher by a number of titles during his years as president, CEO and executive chairman: founder, inspiration, chairman emeritus and friend. When Kelleher died Thursday at age 87, Southwest Airlines posted on social media beneath a photo of a saluting Kelleher, “We already miss you, Herbie. #HonoringHerb.” Herb and […]

Along with hundreds of thousands of other government employees, members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association are not happy about the partial government shutdown, now 13 days old. While NATCA members have no idea when they’ll see another paycheck, just like other federal employees, there’s even more at stake for anyone who flies. NATCA […]

While the FAA’s final decision on an alternative fuel for piston engine aircraft is delayed until next year, a number of civic and business-aviation leaders will meet on January 17 in Los Angeles to mark a milestone in the development and adoption of Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels (SAJF) through “Business Jets Fuel Green: A Step […]

One casualty of the President’s shutdown of non-essential government offices has been public clarity about precisely which government functions continue to operate. Aviation has not been immune from the confusion once some designated pilot examiners began telling applicants they were unable to conduct pilot practical exams. Making matters worse of course, all Flight Standards District […]

Michael Graham, Textron Aviation’s director of flight operations safety, security and standardization, was last week nominated to fill the remainder of the five-year term of retiring member Earl Weener that expires December 21, 2020. Graham, a long-time member of the NBAA’s safety committee where he chairs the single-pilot working group, also serves as the chairman […]