Stephen Pope

We still don’t know very much about Cessna’s new single-engine turboprop, except that it will be powered by the 1,300 shp GE93 engine that will be produced at a plant scheduled to be built in the Czech Republic. GE says it will create a turboprop development, test and engine production headquarters in the eastern European […]

In a first for a GA aircraft manufacturer, Cirrus has introduced an interactive flight operations manuals that for use on the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers to give pilots personalized mobile access to SR20, SR22 and SR22T flight procedures, standards and techniques. The new training resources, launched this week, are designed to complement the Cirrus […]

The 12th annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo kicks off today in Sebring, Florida, where pilots from northern climes are escaping the cold to the kick the tires of LSAs, experimental aircraft, ultralights and more. Around 50 sport airplanes are on display through the weekend at Sebring Regional Airport, where temperatures today are on the cool […]

Quest Aircraft, maker of the Kodiak single-engine turboprop, is receiving a further cash infusion to help fuel growth at the Sandpoint, Idaho manufacturer. Japanese conglomerate Mitsui & Co. signed an agreement with Quest parent Setouchi Holdings to acquire a $10 million equity stake in the company. Under the agreement, Mitsui is receiving a 12.5-percent holding […]

As Congress prepares to debate whether to privatize ATC as part of the upcoming FAA reauthorization process, a number of general aviation groups are asking Congress to allow a full debate of a plan they argue is pushed down the nation’s throat by the airlines. Specifically, the organizations cited concerns over a proposal introduced by […]

The National Transportation Safety Board’s 2016 “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety improvements includes several items directed toward general aviation, with Board Chairman Christopher Hart saying that unlike commercial aviation, GA has been “stubbornly resistant to improvement.” Topping the list of urgently needed safety improvements again this year is loss of control accidents in general […]

Under a new final rule adopted by the FAA, aviation medical examiners will no longer issue student pilot certificates. Instead, new pilots will go through a similar process as private pilots, receiving their hard plastic student pilot certificates in the mail. As expected, the FAA dropped an earlier proposal to require photos on pilot certificates. […]

Before your next flight review or instrument proficiency check, you’ll want to read over a new FAA Advisory Circular that contains guidance for instructors on special areas of emphasis for general aviation pilots. The FAA is concerned that pilots’ hand-flying skills might not always be up to acceptable standards and that many may suffer from […]

Airbus is claiming it has wrested away the title of the world’s best-selling aircraft manufacturer in its ongoing battle with rival Boeing, but the European jet maker still has a way to go to catch up in actual plane deliveries. Airbus said it received 1,036 orders for its jets in 2015, well above the 768 […]

I’m not sure how many people I expected would actually sign up for the FAA’s new UAS registry program that went live just before Christmas. Since the agency is waiving the $5 registration fee for the first month, I figured many would take advantage and fill out the online form. But I was surprised when […]