Aviation News

Pilots at a California airport that flunked an Environmental Protection Agency lead air-quality test are crying foul. The EPA recently released results of a study of airborne lead at 17 airports around the country where monitors were placed to measure air quality in public areas. While nearly all passed the test, San Carlos Airport south […]

A vintage Stearman crashed and exploded into flames on Saturday at an Ohio airshow, killing pilot Charlie Schwenker and wingwalker Jane Wicker. The pair were killed instantly while performing at around 12:45 p.m. at the Vectren Air Show at the Dayton International Airport as thousands of spectators watched. Amateur video of the crash shows Wicker […]

Diamond Aircraft has signed an agreement with Ural Works of Civil Aviation to jointly design and produce diesel-powered light utility airplanes in Russia. Russian market demand for the commuter airplanes is estimated to exceed 200. The 19-seat composite light twins will help connect remote communities in Russia, the companies said at a joint signing ceremony […]

For the past two years the Environmental Protection Agency has been quietly monitoring the concentrations of lead in the air at 17 airports across the country. All showed measurable quantities of airborne lead, and two airports had lead concentrations that exceeded federal standards. The EPA’s findings from airports where the testing was carried out indicate […]

Blackhawk Modifications this week got the nod from the FAA for its STC upgrade for the Cessna 208A Caravan, which we reported on recently. “We are very excited to now be able to offer the XP42A upgrade package to the entire Caravan fleet,” said Jim Allmon, President and CEO of Blackhawk Modifications. “The upgrade significantly […]

The Recreational Aviation Foundation is warning of the potential closure of several backcountry airstrips in Colorado. The closures could result from a rule change currently under consideration by the Bureau of Land Management’s Grand Junction Field Office. Four travel management plan alternatives have been suggested for a new resource management plan (RMP). Three of these […]

At the Paris Air Show, Daher-Socata and Voldirect, a small charter company with six employees, might have made history. The two jointly announced that the French civil aviation authority has officially awarded Voldirect an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) enabling the company to fly commercial passengers on its TBM 850 turboprop single. As U.S. vice president […]

It’s looking like unleaded avgas is coming within five years, if the FAA has any say. There’s not much we can do about it, but maybe there’s a way FBOs can equip for the new fuel for less than the ballpark $150,000 price point Flying got from the FBO owner. The Wisconsin-based U-Fuel organization is […]

As you might guess, Martha and I are interested in the balance between aviation liberty and national law enforcement, and we would like to pass on some thoughts. It appears that government agencies are using their ability to monitor general aviation flights to select aircraft to intercept on landing based on what they consider to […]

Two teams of four high school students each have traveled to Arlington, Washington, for a very different form of summer camp. The eight campers won’t leave until they have built an airplane — at least to the stage where it will start its engine and taxi. Glasair’s “Two Weeks to Taxi” program is designed to […]