Aviation News

In an effort to encourage its policyholders to become safer pilots, the United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) is offering discounts to pilots who complete courses through USAIG’s Performance Vector program as a safety initiative for turbine operators. This week USAIG added upset recovery training courses through Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) to the program. Two […]

The FAA continues to make it easier and less costly to bring advanced technology to the cockpits of light airplanes. The most recent example of this welcome trend comes in the form of an FAA policy statement that will allow aircraft owners to replace older vacuum-driven attitude indicators with more reliable electronic units. The policy […]

The Max-Viz infrared enhanced vision system from Astronics Corp. that has been offered for years in certified aircraft is now available for Experimental and homebuilt models after the company this month introduced a noncertified version designated X1 and priced at $6,000. The unit makes use of essentially the same technology that’s installed in certified aircraft, […]

Perlan 2 — the glider slated to fly to the edge of space next year — has lifted off for the first time. The successful first flight was conducted yesterday from Roberts Field Airport in Redmond, Oregon. The glider was pulled off the ground by an agricultural airplane and released to soar to an altitude […]

The FAA has issued flight advisories detailing temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) in the vicinities of New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., to enable Pope Francis’ scheduled visits to each region. From September 22-27, all three cities will be “no drone zones,” and additional flight restrictions will apply to each throughout the papal visit. The FAA […]

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched a new design for landing gear that could enable helicopters to land just about anywhere. Rather than the traditional fixed skids or wheels that are attached to the bottom of the helicopter’s fuselage, the Mission Adaptive Rotor (MAR) Robotic Landing Gear is comprised of four articulated, […]

Doc’s Friends have a reason to cheer once again as the Wichita, Kansas-based volunteer crew has reached the point of engine start in the monumental task of returning the massive B-29 bomber to the skies. The first engine run was conducted days ago at the McConnell Air Force Base on the east side of the […]

Airshow performer Jay “Flash” Gordon died in a crash during the Wings Over Big South Fork Air & Car Show at the Scott Municipal Airport in Oneida, Tennessee, over the weekend. The Louisville, Kentucky, pilot was flying his L-39 Albatros when it entered a dive shortly after takeoff, according to witnesses and local news reports. […]

Will Steven Hinton win his seventh straight Unlimited Class Gold? That was the big question at the 52nd National Championship Air Races held September 16-20 at Reno Stead Airport in Reno, Nevada. Hinton, flying Voodoo, a P-51 Mustang, screamed around the pylons with Robert “Hoot” Gibson racing Strega, also a P-51D. The suspense was building […]

If you are an air race fan, it’s time to make the annual migration to Reno for the National Championship Air Races. The competition starts today at Reno Stead Airport, 10 miles northwest of the city. In addition to the promise of adrenaline-pumping races from buzzing miniature sport airplanes to roaring unlimiteds, the weekend promises […]