Aviation News

The Senate Finance Committee approved reauthorization of the U.S. Airport and Airways Trust Fund (AATF) on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and the bill will probably be included in the FAA Reauthorization bill already before the Senate. The committee’s proposal includes an increase in jet fuel tax for general aviation aircraft to 35.9 cents per gallon from […]

Andrew Schmertz is starting with one Cirrus SR22 flying what he bills as “air limo” flights out of Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. He hopes to expand to as many as five aircraft in his fleet by the summer season, able to shuttle passengers, on demand, from nearby jumping off points to […]

“Relative stability in global economies and improving general business confidence” were two of the reasons Textron CEO Scott Donnelly expects 2011 to be a good one for Cessna and Bell. Textron is the parent company for the two iconic aviation brands, and Donnelly’s remarks came in the wake of strong numbers for the fourth quarter […]

Known worldwide as a legend in the game of golf — and industrywide as one of general aviation’s most iconic faces — voluntarily quit flying quietly last month, choosing not to re-up his medical. No worries on health issues for Arnie — he just decided to retire from flying the left seat of his Citation. […]

Last October the French magazine Jeune Afrique reported that the cause of the mysterious crash of a twin-turboprop L-410 Turbolet at Bandundu, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Aug. 25 had been revealed. According to the sole human survivor of the accident, a crocodile concealed in a “sports bag” stored at the back of the cabin […]

The old wisdom was that a thick airfoil would carry plenty of ice. It’s a folk tale based, perhaps, on innumerable stories of DC-3s from the early days of the airlines landing with thick coats of ice. The stories might be true, but the fact that DC-3s had chubby wings does not translate to aeronautical […]

It’s been three years and 17 temporary funding packages since the FAA had long-term funding legislation in place. But next week, Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) will introduce a “new” two-year, $34.5 billion bill, which he says is identical to the one passed last year 93-0 by the Senate. That bill stalled in the House […]

It’s just one small step for some helicopters, but it could grow to a giant leap for general aviation in China — and ultimately, the rest of the world. China has begun testing a policy that shows promise of massive strides for general aviation. Over the coming weeks, four helicopters will be permitted to fly […]

Piqua, Ohio-based Hartzell Propeller has announced the development of a new two-blade Top Prop conversion kit for Piper PA-23-250 Aztec twins. The scimitar-shape, 77-inch propeller blades incorporate blade-mounted counterweights, offering greater redundancy for pitch control and feathering, compared with the original-equipment propellers that relied on air pressure. The shape of the blades is more efficient, […]

Five manufacturers of Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) will launch a statewide “roadshow” tour following the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, which opens today in Sebring, Florida. Bill Canino of SportairUSA said, “We wanted to create an intimate atmosphere for purchasers to see planes, without the noise of a show.” Jim Julius of Sport Planes Florida said, […]