Search Results for: Pipistrel

The FAA will discontinue the paper application for FAA medical certification. After Oct. 1, 2012, you must use FAA Form 8500-8 application, otherwise known as FAA MedXpress. That virtual form was introduced in 2007 and has evolved considerably, streamlining FAA medical certification into a much more efficient and seamless process, says the FAA. More than 400,000 pilots fill out one of these forms each year, so its understandable a digital system might save a few…

After six weeks of digging in Burma, British aviation enthusiast David Cundall suspended his search for the dozens of pristine Spitfires he believes were buried at an airfield by British troops at the end of World War II. His main backer pulled out when officials limited the crews operations and the initial efforts failed to turn up any supporting evidence. The authorities will not give us permission to dig because of the risk of undermining…

Last month, with officials in Washington unable to agree on a budget to avert the stalemate called sequester, 149 contract towers across the country were told to shut down. But when lawsuits arose from all corners, the plan was put on hold. Another plan to force all of the nations air traffic controllers to cut back their hours produced nationwide backups and howls of dismay that quickly drove Congress to pass a new law in…

It might be a Madison Avenue cliché, but the notion that “new and improved” sells is certainly in aviation, whether you’re talking about big airplanes or small ones. Buyers want more of everything, speed, range, payload, safety, comfort and efficiency, and if airplane builders can deliver on those commodities, they will sell airplanes, sometimes a […]

“This is absolutely a temporary measure.” That was the response from the FAA manager in charge when asked about a draft proposal that would prohibit electric airplanes from carrying passengers, flying over congested areas or operating at night — as you might have guessed, it’s all being done in the name of safety. Craig Holmes […]

Imagine sliding open the door to your hangar, unplugging the power cable snaking from your airplane to a quick-charging station on the wall and taking to the sky in a sleek four-seater powered only by the smooth, quiet, nonpolluting whir of an electric motor connected to rows of lithium battery packs nestled in the wing. […]

The FAA is crafting rules that would allow electric airplanes to operate in U.S. airspace, but there is one big caveat: No passengers will be allowed on board. That’s according to a draft FAA order that spells out operating limitations for such aircraft. The proposed revision to FAA Order 8130.2 really isn’t that big of […]

At about 0830 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing. The engine lost all power shortly after takeoff. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and a passenger was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported taking off and climbed to 2500 feet msl when the engine began to vibrate and lose power, and the cabin began to fill with white smoke. The pilot shut down the engine and performed a forced landing to a soy bean field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The airplane was equipped with a Franklin 6A-350-C1, 220-hp engine. Initial examination revealed the No. 4 cylinder head was partially separated and the No. 4 cylinder piston was displaced.

Shopping for pilots can be tricky at best. There is so much aviation gear on the market, and, without trying things out, it’s hard to know what products work well and which ones don’t. Here is a collection of some of our favorites — gift ideas for all budgets that are sure to put a […]

The fuel-injected, fadec-equipped Rotax 912 iS, which was introduced by BRP earlier this spring, has achieved ASTM approval. What this milestone means is that LSA manufacturers can now install the engine and meet the industry’s consensus standards without the airplane being under an experimental certificate. Engines already installed will be able to get ASTM stickers […]