Aviation News

On the first day of AirVenture Cessna announced that its 162 SkyCatcher LSA had achieved ASTM certification. It’s equipped with a 100-hp Continental engine and the Garmin G300 integrated flat-panel avionics platform. The airplane will be assembled in China of U.S.-made components and then shipped back the United States for final assembly and delivery. Cessna […]

Continental announced at Oshkosh that is had earned certification for fadec control on its big turbocharged engines, and that it had completed testing and knows how to qualify all of its engine models to burn 94UL unleaded avgas. The company also announced a number of price cuts and incentives for factory engines and certain replacement […]

Lycoming flew a Lancair Evolution to Oshkosh, powered by its new TEO-540-EXP iE2 engine. Advantages of the 350-hp engine include single-lever operation, automated preflight safety checks, automotive start simplicity and reduced pilot workload. The iE2 system also allows use of alternative fuels and promises increased fuel efficiency and reliability. The iE2 system was announced at […]

Piper made its first appearance at AirVenture under new ownership and under the stewardship of new CEO Kevin Gould and President John Becker. Now owned by Imprimis, Piper unveiled sweeping plans to expand its product line globally and moved to “reintroduce” two of its training airplanes, the Warrior and the Seminole, in support of the […]

On the plus side, the bill introduced last week by the Senate Commerce Committee would fund the FAA for two years-with a budget of some $35 billion-and without user fees. The bill also includes a mandate to move forward with implementing the NextGen modernization of the air traffic control system. The down side is the […]

The most recent issue of FAA Aviation News (available at the FAA Safety Center at EAA AirVenture) focuses on the Light Sport category. The official FAA publication highlights pilots’ opportunities related to light-sport flying. It also includes an overview of sport-pilot certificate privileges, offers training advice and notes maintenance requirements for light sport operations. Master […]

The F-22 Raptor will cease its production run at 187 units, with funding shifted to the multirole F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). While the Raptor is a more sophisticated air superiority fighter, the less expensive JSF is intended to replace both F-16s and A-10 attack jets. The F-35 would also be available to Navy and […]

New FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has a fresh view on how to handle controllers responsible for “operational errors.” These events are defined as when proper distance between aircraft is not maintained. Previously, the controller on duty had his or her name included in the report and was automatically removed from their position. Under the new […]

Tom Peghiny’s e-Spyder At last year’s AirVenture, Randall Fishman hushed the crowds with his whisper-quiet single-seat ElectraFlyer-C. This year, he’s doubled down on that bet with plans to bring a two-place version called the ElectraFlyer-X. This one will draw juice from Fishman’s self-designed 50-hp motor and battery combination. Pending development progress, he plans to fly […]

Dating back to the 1970s, the Aero Commander line of piston singles had limited success in the marketplace, but the airplane still enjoys strong support among its proponents. They appreciate its large, comfortable cabin and two-door ease of entry, as well as its tall, trailing-link landing gear and sleek appearance. Now, a former Commander owner […]