Aviation News

A DAHER-SOCATA TB20 Trinidad was on display at the Euro-Avia Cannes (France) International General Aviation Exhibition last week — but with a new twist on the decades-old design. This Trinidad was retrofitted with Garmin’s G500 aftermarket glass avionics suite (the G600 includes XM satellite weather, which is not available in Europe). The retrofit package, which […]

Air show spectators have been enjoying the Super Salto jet-powered sailplane since 2008, when the aerobatic aircraft first appeared on the circuit. Now, its manufacturer Desert Aerospace of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is marketing a two-seat sport version known as the BonusJet. Flight testing has been completed on the 56-foot-wingspan derivative of the Czech-designed Bonus sailplane. […]

Operators of Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21-equipped Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200/300-series turboprop twins are now eligible for upgrades to include Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability. Hawker Beechcraft is currently working on a similar upgrade for Premier 1A and Hawker 400XP/Beechjet400A-series jets.

The FAA has published a Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) urging pilots to remember to activate pilot controlled lighting (PCL) systems at non-tower airports. Apparently the agency has noted a “rising trend” of incidents in which pilots have failed to turn on the lights when landing after dark. Also as part of the SAFO, the […]

When NetJets introduced large-cabin Gulfstream jets to its fleet, it set up a separate business entity to accommodate the new level of service. Though the fractional ownership model was essentially the same as for its smaller jets, there were significant differences — for example, fractional owners could specify pilots they wanted to fly with. The […]

Late last month, the Solar Impulse project recorded its first flight from Payerne Airfield, Switzerland. With 12,000 photovoltaic solar cells on its wings, the aircraft is expected to be able to fly day and night on stored electrical energy. Launched seven years ago, the project’s ultimate goal is a solar-powered world flight, targeted for 2012.

The FAA has granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems to install a dual 95-amp alternator kit in Lycoming-powered Cessna 182 and Turbo 182 singles. The system provides redundant electrical power for a weight increase of only 23 pounds. For more info, go to www.kellyaerospace.com.

The FAA has issued a nonbinding special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) urging aircraft operators to replace mufflers at 1,000 hours. It’s not a noise abatement move, but rather a safety of flight issue. According to a Wichita State University study, a high percentage of aging mufflers are involved in carbon-monoxide-related incidents. In 92 percent of […]

Whether you’re in the market for a new or pre-owned aircraft or are interested in upgrading an aircraft you already own, Flying Magazine’s Parade of Planes delivers. On June 11th & 12th, Flying will create a regional aviation superstore in the Atlanta Metro area [Gwinnett County Airport — KLZU] to make it easy for consumers […]

The FAA guidelines for required ADS-B equipment were released late last week, and though there are no real surprises for avionics manufacturers, general aviation advocates have little to cheer about. One of the sections of the report is even titled, “General Aviation: High Equipage Costs With Little Benefit.” Cost to equip the GA fleet is […]