Aviation News

A Belgian company called Sonaca Aircraft is making progress on a two-seat, single-engine airplane named Sonaca 200. The airplane is designed for the training market, and recent modifications to the design include structural reinforcements to allow the airplane to withstand the rigors of regular flight training. With the beefed-up landing gear, the airplane also will […]

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association today released year-end aircraft shipment and billing numbers for 2016 that paint a picture of an industry in transition — if not outright turmoil — with business jet deliveries reaching their lowest level since 2004. Airplane shipments globally fell 3.9 percent, from 2,331 units in 2015 to 2,241 units in […]

There’s a lot of buzz going on lately about drones and how they might be integrated into our daily lives, with the FAA creating rules for commercial use and a growing list of private companies developing pilotless modes of aerial transportation. Package-delivery company UPS added to the conversation Monday with the first test of its […]

Airport surveillance videos detailing last week’s incident at John Wayne International Airport (SNA) involving actor Harrison Ford have surfaced. The actor was cleared to land his single-engine Aviat Husky on SNA’s Runway 20L, but instead landed on the airport’s taxiway “Charlie” that runs parallel to Runway 20L. As the Husky approached the intersection of taxiway […]

Welcoming drone pilots into the general aviation community, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association announced a new line of memberships for pilots of unmanned aircraft. “Drone pilots are seeking their place in the larger world of aviation and looking for opportunities to expand their experience,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “This is an ideal time […]

Developers of electric aircraft are rejoicing now that the Part 23 rewrite is complete. Unlike before, the new rule will allow for certified airplanes to be developed with electric propulsion. “The new Part 23 rewrite allows for the full benefit of electric propulsion in the larger, heavier general aviation size of aircraft,” says George Bye, […]

Restoring and maintaining historic airplanes consumes an enormous amount of time, as well as money, a few reasons some of the largest aviation museums in the United States, like the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, are primarily funded by […]

Successfully placing a satellite in orbit is no small expense, often costing tens of millions of dollars. In addition to the cost of the satellite itself, there’s the cost of the launch vehicle and the ground control system to bring all the elements together. If the satellite is tiny, less than 12 pounds, often referred […]

An American Airlines regional jet was forced to make an emergency landing after it struck a deer on takeoff. American Airlines Flight 5320 was departing Charlotte Douglas International Airport around noon on Wednesday when the pilot declared an emergency. After authorities inspected the runway, the aircraft turned back and landed safely. The Bombardier CRJ-700, operated […]

Actor Harrison Ford reportedly had a close call this week when landing his single-engine Husky at California’s John Wayne Airport (SNA). Ford, an experienced pilot and noted aviation advocate, flew over an airliner full of passengers and landed on a commercial airport taxiway, according to NBC News. The FAA says it’s investigating the incident. “Air […]