Aviation News

Aircraft owners groups such as the American Bonanza Society (ABS), the (Piper) Malibu/Mirage Owners and Pilots Association (M/MOPA) and others have asked the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president Craig Fuller to press the FAA into action. At issue is the impending disappearance of 100-octane low-lead fuel (100LL). As the only transportation fuel still approved […]

A scientist at the National Oceanographic and Aeronautics Administration (NOAA) said recently increased solar storm activity could pose serious problems for GPS signals. The satellite transmissions that power the GPS system are relatively weak in strength and vulnerable to interference from instability on the surface of the sun. NOAA scientist Joe Kunches and other scientists […]

The world’s only flyable Boeing B-29 Superfortress is not quite airworthy — yet. It’s been four years since the Boeing last flew, and the efforts of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) to return “FIFI” to the sky are close. But a “scheduling conflict” has led the FAA to delay issuing a new airworthiness certificate. FIFI […]

Terrafugia announced the FAA has granted an exemption to its ‘Transition’ roadable aircraft. Planned for approval to Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) status, the Transition would have been limited at 1,320 pounds maximum takeoff weight. But the FAA has granted an exemption allowing another 110 pounds for elements required by federal motor vehicle safety standards for […]

Cobalt Aircraft Industries has announced it will introduce its Co50 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 28. The five-seat all-composite Canard will be powered by a mid-ship-mounted Continental TSIOF-550-D2B twin-turbocharged piston engine driving a pusher propeller. Top speed is predicted as 245 knots at 25,000 feet burning 25 gallons per hour from its 109-gallon capacity. […]

In a report that came out under the radar on June 1, the FCC slipped in a stunning mandate. Section (h) of the executive summary of the report reads “We prohibit the certification, manufacture, importation, sale or continued use of 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) other than the Breitling Emergency Watch ELT.” Bravo for […]

With the FAA anticipating a 10-year low in student starts next year, Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton addressed the issue on Monday in Washington, D.C. “We need legislation that fosters and stimulates our industry,” he said. Without new student starts, the entire general aviation industry suffers, said Pelton, He added that, at least, […]

Cirrus used its eighth annual owners’ meeting to make a few announcements, starting with a new model, the SR22T. The latest Cirrus offers the twin-turbocharged Continental TSIO-550-K engine from Teledyne Continental Motors. The new engine availability stems from a partnership between TCM and Cirrus, and the -K version of the engine is not available on […]

Also at its owners’ meeting last week, Cirrus announced pricing incentives. Effective immediately and running through July 31 (the conclusion of next month’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh), Cirrus will include air conditioning at no extra charge with any X-Edition or Xi personalized SR22 or SR20. And for current Cirrus owners who want to trade up, […]

Cirrus also announced the availability of its “retractable gear simulator” on new aircraft or for retrofit on existing Cirrus models. The accessory comes with a pilot interface panel (replicating a gear handle) and an “instructor fault select panel” allowing the instructor to simulate emergencies such as a “gear unsafe” indication. The system also includes a […]