Pistons

It has been more than three decades since the first certified composite airplane, the Windecker Eagle, last took to the skies. But last week the restored single-engine retractable flew for the first time since an extensive restoration project began. Test pilot Len Fox was at the controls when the airplane lifted off Runway 28 at […]

A case can be made that the twin-diesel DA62 from Austria’s Diamond Aircraft represents a new pinnacle in piston aircraft design. Its long list of positive attributes includes superb efficiency, quality construction, technological sophistication and aesthetic appeal from every angle. With so much going for it, there’s little question this is an airplane that belongs […]

Today is a big day for a San Francisco-based company named Cobalt as it has unveiled a new single-engine propeller airplane named the Co50 Valkyrie. With a profile more reminiscent of a light fighter jet, Valkyrie could beat out the Mooney Acclaim Type S as the fastest certified single-engine airplane on the market with a […]

Emirates Flight Training Academy, the flight training organization operated by Dubai-based airline Emirates, has selected the Cirrus SR22 for its primary training aircraft fleet, the companies announced at this week’s Dubai Airshow. Cirrus will supply 22 airplanes for the training program at Al Maktoum International-Dubai World Central Airport in support of the Emirates’ National Cadet […]

With the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s freezing its funds on July 1, the results of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s third quarter shipment and billing report was mixed. There was an overall loss over last year’s report for billings during the first three quarters of $600 million, from $19.1 billion in 2014 to $18.5 billion this […]

Diamond Aircraft’s DA62 diesel twin will make its North American debut later this month at the NBAA Convention in Las Vegas, where the Austrian light plane maker is also planning a “relaunch” party of sorts for the brand after a few relatively quiet years with a somewhat diminished U.S. profile. That’s all changing with the […]

The Tecnam P2010 is one of those airplanes that you can’t help but stop to look at when you see it on the ramp. Mainly because you’ll be wondering why that Cessna Skyhawk looks so good. Until you realize it’s not a Skyhawk. It’s something different. Something silky smooth. With flowing lines. My goodness, it’s […]

Mooney International has announced a new certified pre-owned sales program similar to those offered by automobile manufacturers. The program was developed in partnership with Premier Aircraft Sales, which has a factory authorized Mooney service center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “There are individuals who want the speed, safety and style of a Mooney — and a […]

I have dreamed of owning an airplane ever since I sold my Cessna 170 in 2008. While I loved my 1948 taildragger, I wanted something that had rolled out of the factory after I was born and could fly a lot faster than 100 knots. After a long, slow search, which involved help from the […]

You may have read about the restoration of the Windecker Eagle, the first composite airplane to be designed and certified under Part 23 regulations. The Windecker team says the airplane should be ready to fly this month and Wei Hang, the Chinese entrepreneur who commissioned the restoration, has decided to start up production for the […]