Aviation News

Reports poured in from as far away as Australia, declaring the May 15, first ever International Learn to Fly Day a huge success. Across North America, close to 450 events focused on the mission of exposing non-pilots to the joys and usefulness of general aviation. The primary goal was to conduct as many demonstration flights […]

It’s hard to imagine a less scientific look, but my regular review of FAA preliminary accident reports has shown an apparent trend. Numbers of accidents seem to be down significantly over the past several months; and fatal accidents have also seemed to be significantly on the wane. Over the past two weeks, the Monday reports […]

Three aviation-oriented colleges — the University of North Dakota (UND), the University of Alaska and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) — are co-opting on a research project aimed at clarifying pilots’ needs for in-cockpit weather. The study also hopes to gain insight into how best to educate pilots in using the available weather data. Dubbed […]

The recent animated film Up featured the story of a man who lifted his entire house aloft with a cluster of toy balloons. Total fantasy. But believe it or not, there is an FAA category for flying with clusters of individual balloons, and that category landed one pilot on the cover of the June issue […]

Without any hesitation, the aviation apps have started coming for the Apple iPad. Sporty’s Pilot Shop recently announced an E6B computer application compatible with the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and the large-screen iPad. The app costs $4.95 and is available at sportys.com.

The May/June edition of FAA Safety Briefing includes an introduction to the Next Generation Air Transportation System — aka NextGen. While most reports focus on how the upgraded ATC system will benefit airlines’ bottom line, the FAA publication zooms in on NextGen’s benefits for general aviation pilots. The issue includes articles on Automatic Dependent Surveillance […]

Fractional operator Flight Options, based in Cleveland, has accepted the first of 100 Embraer Phenom 300s ordered in 2007. The Brazilian light jet is destined to be the mainstay of the Flight Options fleet. See the June issue of Flying for a full report on the Phenom 300 by senior editor Robert Goyer.

A look at the NTSB’s report on the February 2009 crash in Buffalo, New York.

Two Riverside, California high-school students won their local science fair when they concocted a running jet engine from an assortment of auto parts and an old leaf blower. Propane provides the power and a gas stove igniter provides the starting flame. Congratulations to Anthony Mosallam and Jonathon Deming — and condolences to their neighbors.

Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) has unveiled a two-engine project that will bring jet fuel to the light-aircraft industry. The first, a 230-hp four-cylinder engine is expected to be certified next year. A follow-on six-cylinder, 350-hp version could follow as soon as two years later. TCM said the engine program stems from acquired technology — but […]