Aviation News

Cirrus Aircraft officials say they’re not concerned over an FAA proposal to expand the requirement for function and reliability (F&R) testing to include turbine aircraft less than 6,000 pounds (maximum takeoff weight). They say the planned test program for Cirrus’s single-engine SF50 Vision Jet already included most of the F&R testing they expect to be […]

According to industry analyst Brian Foley of Brian Foley and Associates, Sparta, New Jersey, the current “stagnant period” for general aviation is “no cause for panic or even pessimism.” He added, “Most recoveries aren’t linear and the occasional pullback can be expected. A year ago we postulated this recovery might have a W-shape, and that […]

According to a story posted on Avweb, Lycoming has gone on record opposing the development of 94UL as a replacement for 100 low lead (100LL) aviation gasoline. Continental supports development of 94UL, and is currently experimenting with modifications to its engines to accommodate the lower octane level — approximately 8 octane points less than leaded […]

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.