Search Results for: general aviation inc

On October 12, 1997, popular musician John Denver flew his new-to-him LongEZ into the Pacific Ocean off Monterey, Calif. He died on impact with the water. According to the NTSB, “witnesses saw the airplane in straight and level flight about 350 to 500 feet over a residential area, then they heard a reduction of engine noise. The airplane was seen to pitch slightly nose up; then it banked sharply to the right [and] descended nose first into the ocean.” The probable cause statement included, “…the pilot’s diversion of attention from the operation of the airplane and his inadvertent application of right rudder that resulted in the loss of airplane control while attempting to manipulate the fuel selector handle.” The distraction of reaching and repositioning the airplane’s fuel selector led to the distraction.

The NTSB held a fascinating meeting at its Washington headquarters on Tuesday morning that explored in detail the poor safety record of experimental amateur-built aircraft and produced a laundry list of solutions aimed at stemming the problem. The raw data presented in the NTSB’s study of experimental aircraft safety was wholly absorbing in and of […]

Every time you train for a new pilot rating you’re faced with a check ride — an event that can cause the blood pressure to rise even in the best of pilots. After being grilled for hours about your knowledge pertaining to the rating you’re attempting to achieve, you’re expected to perform precision maneuvers under […]

As we were putting the finishing touches on this issue, the NTSB announced it would be holding a two-day forum next month, “focused on safety issues related to general aviation.” The event is scheduled for June 19 and 20, at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The forum is open to the public, free of charge and may be viewed live via Webcast on the board’s Web site, www.ntsb.gov.

An unusual display of the usefulness of general aviation airplanes occurred recently when the life of a 20-year-old boater apparently was saved by an overflying seaplane pilot. What could have ended as a tragic drowning turned into a happy day for the young boater. Max Trescott describes in his blog about the incident that the […]

The accident statistics prove it: The base-to-final turn continues to be one of the big killers in general aviation. Most often, troubles arise when a pilot realizes too late that he is overshooting the runway and so tightens the turn while simultaneously hauling back on the yoke. That’s a recipe for a rarely survivable stall-spin […]

Cessna Aircraft has signed a strategic agreement with the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) Company for final assembly, sales and customer support of Cessna Caravans in China for the Chinese market. What does that mean exactly? Cessna wants to make it very clear: Caravans for the Chinese market will continue to be manufactured in […]

The FAA has awarded Eclipse Aerospace a production certificate for the Eclipse 550, clearing the path for the re-launch of the very light jet in a rebirth that was first announced last October at the NBAA Convention. With the new production certificate in hand, the company “is well positioned to re-introduce the Eclipse Jet to […]

If you’re fortunate enough to live a long life, you may reach a point when you start to wonder whether it’s time to retire as pilot in command. You may feel that your vision or mental status isn’t up to par, or you may begin to have trouble entering or exiting the airplane. The point […]

Chicago’s O’Hare International (KORD) is best known as the second busiest airport in the United States and one of United Airlines largest hubs. It’s not exactly recognized for being the friendliest GA airport around. So what’s a hungry aviator to do when flying around the metropolitan Chicago area? The answer is to fly eight miles […]