Aviation News

It has to hurt that Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft have chosen to forego their large floor displays, but the National Business Aviation Association remains optimistic about next week’s annual show. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said he expects strong attendance numbers at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, but doesn’t aspire to set […]

According to the most recent statistics from aviation safety researcher Robert E. Breiling Associates, business flying got almost 50 percent safer this year. Numbers for the first three quarters show only four fatal accidents this year (23 deaths), compared with 17 fatal accidents in the first nine months of last year, resulting in 46 deaths. […]

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is asking the FAA to reconsider its plans to cancel some of the 154 ground-based instrument approaches that are on the budget chopping block. The pilots’ association has asked that 22 of the approaches be preserved and asked the agency to consider comments from pilots on 21 more, before […]

High-speed Internet service is now much more affordable for light jets. Aircell has announced its $85,000 ATG 5000 system (including all antennas, but not including installation). Tom Myers, director of marketing for Aircell, calls the new product a “sea change.” He said, “Because Aircell uses air-to-ground technology for this system, a host of benefits are […]

For those of us who donned military uniforms during the Vietnam venture — either voluntarily or reluctantly — and came home to a less than supportive populace, today’s bands, banners and parades honoring our retrurning soldiers are gratifying. We seem to have learned our lesson and now publicly show our appreciation for the sacrifices too […]

Just what is a “homebuilt” is now clearer. A long-awaited FAA advisory circular (AC-20-27G) outlines the approval basis for an aircraft to be registered in the experimental/amateur-built category. At issue was how much of the building is done by the builder, as opposed to prefabricated kit parts and/or work performed by professionals at a builder-assistance […]

In response to reduced demand for its aircraft engines, Teledyne Continental Motors has shut down its production line for this week. TCM will make other cost-cutting adjustments in the coming months. Sales, shipping and customer-support personnel remain on the job during the shutdown. Further cuts will involve four-day work weeks for salaried personnel starting with […]

Avidyne is offering “instant rebates” on several of its retrofit avionics components. Not surprisingly, the more you buy, the more you can save. For example, buying one of the eligible components will bring you a $500 rebate; two units, $1,500; three units, $3,000 and a maximum of $5,000 for buying four units. The components involved […]

With the first flight of a production Model 162 SkyCatcher last month in China, Cessna demonstrated its continued commitment to the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) market and the FAA Sport Pilot certificate. And now the company has released details on its Cessna Sport/Private Pilot Course. The Web-based training regime was developed in cooperation with King […]

In baseball, October represents the culmination of a year’s worth of sweat and effort. In like manner, this year’s series of Flying Parade of Planes events closes out next week in the Bay area of California hosted by Volo Aviation at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD). A list of exhibitors includes aircraft manufacturers, service providers and […]