Aviation News

Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird is said to be preparing to sign a new regulation requiring most aircraft to have a 406-MHz emergency locator transmitter (ELT) in order to operate in Canadian airspace. The rule had been postponed, partly because critics claimed it would stifle private air traffic from the U.S. (where the new ELTs […]

May 25 marks the first meeting of a new committee formed by the Department of Transportation. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood formed the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee in March, and it consists of representatives from airlines, general aviation, airports, manufacturers, the financial community, academics and environmentalists. Cessna President Jack Pelton will serve on the committee, […]

Dornier Seaplane Company has selected Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec (a Montreal suburb), as the final assembly site for its Seastar twin-engine flying boat. Company President Joe Walker said he holds 25 letters of intent that are currently in the process of “being matured into firm contracts.” Among the factors in selecting the Canadian site are the skilled […]

Jason Blair, executive director of the National Association of Flight Instructors has been cleared of criminal charges related to his pre-NAFI employment. In what has been described as a “contractual dispute” Blair was arrested earlier this year on embezzlement charges based on his service as manager of an airport in Michigan. The dispute involved a […]

Italian aircraft designer Stelio Frati, perhaps best known for the all-wood F.8 Falco homebuilt, died last week at the age of 91. Among his other credits are the all-metal SIAI-Marchetti SF260, extensively used as a military trainer, but also well known as a speedy sportplane with full aerobatic capability. Frati graduated from the University of […]

Waco Classic Aircraft has announced FAA and EASA approval of its new YMF 5-D Model. The newest version of the classic biplane includes a new 300-hp engine, an elliptical MT propeller, Garmin glass panel, upgraded landing gear design and much more. For more info, visit www.wacoclassic.com.

The rise in the U.S. dollar has been a long time in coming, but it could signal big changes for the aviation marketplace. With most aircraft purchases conducted in dollars (even those for French-made Falcon business jets, for example) the low dollar has shifted the balance of sales from North America. A revitalized dollar could […]

Chevron-Texaco Aviation general manager Keith Sawyer said the company is changing its business model as relates to selling aviation fuel to the retail (general aviation) market. As of June 1, he said, “We are aligning our aviation marketing assets with our manufacturing system to focus on the areas where our supply reliability is the strongest.” […]

A conforming prototype of Honda’s unique over-the-wing HondaJet is now scheduled to fly in November, a few months later than the previously projected first flight “this summer.” A company statement said that certain “major components” were delayed, resulting in the schedule slippage. A spokesman said, “We anticipate receiving the first conforming, flight-worthy engines from GE […]

Airports regularly lie low in the terrain, often nearby rivers. Recent devastating floods in the nation’s midsection left residents and businesses scrambling to clean up — or start to rebuild. Downtown Nashville was largely under water as heavy rains pummeled the region. One airport, Cornelia Fort Airpark, was particularly hard hit. Located near the Cumberland […]