Aviation News

Fiscal year 2013 was less unlucky than 2012 for fatal accidents among the experimental category. There were 55 accidents involving fatalities this year, compared with 73 last year, a 25 percent decrease. The accidents resulted in 70 deaths, down 18 percent from the 85 who lost their lives in 2012. EAA also reports that the […]

The FAA and EASA have signed off on the type certification for a five-bladed Hartzell propeller specifically designed to improve the performance of Daher-Socata’s TBM 700 and 850 single-engine turboprops. The composite propeller has a thin, swept airfoil that Hartzell claims improves takeoff acceleration, climb rates and cruise speeds, while producing less noise than the […]

It’s back! The Red Bull Air Race World Championship will return to the skies starting next year with a seven-race circuit across six countries. Two of the world championship races will take place in the United States — first at the Texas Motor Speedway near Dallas next September 6-7 followed by a race October 11-12 […]

The government shutdown has put a temporary halt on aircraft sales transactions after the FAA’s registration office in Oklahoma City was ordered closed on October 1. If the shutdown drags on and the FAA office remains shut, more than $1 billion worth of airplane deliveries could be in jeopardy, aviation industry leaders warn. The National […]

Dynon’s new D2 Pocket Panel, unveiled over the weekend, improves on the company’s original D1 portable EFIS by incorporating built-in Wi-Fi for connecting the unit with iPad, smartphone and tablet apps. Wi-Fi connectivity allows the D2 to transmit flight data including attitude, GPS ground speed, altitude, vertical speed, Gs and ground track to any compatible […]

Suddenly “smart watches” are cool — so you knew it was only a matter of time before somebody introduced a cool and smart pilot watch. Think of Garmin’s new D2 watch as a powerful aviation GPS receiver that you wear on your wrist. Stylish and lightweight, it incorporates direct-to and nearest navigation functions, as well […]

The original owners of FlightPrep, a Washington state-based developer of online flight planning software, have filed a $60 million lawsuit against AOPA for patent infringement. AOPA has responded, claiming the suit is without merit and asking the Oregon court to dismiss it. SD Holdings, a company representing Kyle Everson and Roger Stenbock, holds a patent […]

Ever since Tom Poberezny suddenly left the Experimental Aircraft Association in 2011, his presence has been lacking at EAA’s annual AirVenture. Now there are rumors that Poberezny will return to next year’s aviation extravaganza in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A sizable group of high profile EAA members, including Bob Hoover, Dick VanGrunsven, Frank Christensen and Burt Rutan, […]

New aircraft models move through the design phase with clear milestone goals. One of the major achievements comes when the wing assembly and fuselage meet for the first time. For the in-development Cessna Citation Latitude, that event occurred last week, and Cessna is celebrating. “It is very rewarding,” said Terry Shriner, Cessna’s business leader for […]

Piper said it will unveil its new iPad-based Pilots Operating Handbook (POH) app at AOPA Summit later this month. The project, which will start with Piper’s M-class and twin-engine models, uses Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) HubConnect app. Piper vice president of sales and marketing Drew McEwen said, “Our collaboration with ATP gives the owners and […]