Aviation News

Friday marked the 100th anniversary of the first U.S. mail flight, which took place on Sept. 23, 1911, when Earl Ovington took off from Long Island, New York, in a Bleriot monoplane, carrying about 15 pounds of letters. He flew to the Mineola post office, about 10 miles away, where his cargo continued to its […]

(September 2011) With so much commentary on aircraft accidents from analysts, victims, witnesses, psychologists, perpetrators, investigators, manufacturers and Lord knows what other experts (real and self-proclaimed), why two cents’ worth from me? I guess because my commentary is from the perspective of somebody trained and experienced in the investigation side of the business, who’s witnessed […]

United Technologies, the corporation behind aviation giants such as Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky, is buying aircraft component maker Goodrich Corp. in a $16.5 billion deal that would be United Technology’s largest acquisition ever. The move comes amidst a surge in demand for commercial aircraft, particularly from growing areas in Asia. According to United Technologies […]

Lisa Airplanes, a young French company started in 2004, recently announced the commercial launch of the Akoya, an amphibious airplane reportedly able to land on snow, water or ground without any additional modification. The two-seater aircraft is made entirely of composite materials and relies on a 100 hp Rotax engine powered by unleaded gasoline. It […]

The Bristell, an all-metal, low-wing LSA from Liberty Sport Aviation, made its debut appearance in North America at AOPA Summit in Hartford, Connecticut. Built in the Czech Republic by manufacturer BRMAero, the Bristell features a 51-inch-wide cockpit and large canopy that give it the feel of a larger airplane. Powered by a 100 hp Rotax […]

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Bulletin approving a new aviation fuel – 100VLL (very low lead) – for use in aircraft that currently run on 100LL. The approval resulted from collaboration with industry partners that evaluated data supporting the incorporation of grade 100VLL avgas into current specifications. The new fuel is identical to […]

The FAA is levying a nearly $2.5 million civil penalty against Cessna Aircraft after an incident in which carbon composite components of a Cessna Corvalis wing debonded during an audit test flight last year. The incident occurred in December 2010, when an FAA test pilot flying a Cessna Corvalis experienced the separation of approximately seven […]

Continental announced at AOPA Summit that it was launching a new engine, which is similar in design to its long-popular IO-360 six-cylinder 200-hp model that powers the Cirrus SR20, among other models. The engine, the IO-360-AF, will include lower-compression pistons and a lower red line (2,550 rpm compared to 2,700 rpm in many installations) to […]

Gray and rainy skies kept some pilots from flying to Hartford, Connecticut, in time for the start of AOPA Summit on Thursday, but those who filed IFR, flew by airline or drove were greeted by a busy agenda, a packed aircraft static display and an exhibit hall brimming with new aviation technologies. Garmin drew a […]

A Colgan Air flight crew has been relieved from duty after landing at the wrong airport earlier this month, drawing renewed attention to a company that is no stranger to public scrutiny. The incident involved Colgan Flight 3222, which was cleared for a visual approach into Lake Charles, Louisiana, after crewmembers told air traffic control […]