General Aviation

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Safety

AINsight: Fuelish Mistakes

Workarounds and inattention blindness defeat fueling error defenses
NATA image of avgas fueling (Photo: NATA/Steve Berry)
Avionics

Flying Firefighters Upgrading to Universal Avionics

The upgrade adds Universal's modern InSight avionics
De Havilland Canada CL-415 firefighting aircraft
Accidents

NTSB: McSpadden Reported Problem before Fatal Crash

McSpadden had been on air-to-air photography mission
Richard McSpadden
Safety

SpaceX Astronauts Jared Isaacman and Dr. Sian Proctor Talk Space Exploration and Aviation

The two civilians crewed SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission together.
Dr. Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman
Fuel

Aviation Groups Urge Orderly Removal of Lead from Avgas

EPA guidance confirms danger to public health from leaded aviation fuel
Avgas is used by smaller piston aircraft
Aircraft

Wipaire Develops Composite Floats for Twin Otter

The new float is considerably lighter than the current all-metal unit
WIPLINE 13000 FLOATS
Aircraft

Gulfstream G500 OK'd for Steep Approaches

G500 demonstrated steep approach capabilities into London City and Lugano
Gulfstream G500 (Photo: Gulfstream Aerospace)
Accidents

Air Safety Institute's McSpadden, a 'True Giant,' Dies in Aircraft Crash

The aircraft was on an emergency return to Lake Placid Airport
Richard McSpadden
Training and Workforce

North Dakota Airport To Host Scholarship Fundraiser

The 7th Annual Props & Hops will take place on October 5.
Props & Hops event at Mandan Regional Airport in North Dakota
Avionics

SkySensor ADS-B In Completes uAvionix System

Simple installation and low cost are motivating buyers of uAvionix ADS-B systems
SkySensor ADS-B In receiver
Regulations and Government

International Team Arranges Rescue of Tally the Turtle

Turtles Fly Too racks up another turtle save
Rescued sea turtle Tally
Avionics

iFly EFB App Now Compatible with Avidyne Avionics

Electronic flight bag app gets major update
iFly EFB displayed on Apple and Android devices
Avionics

Aspen, Trio Offer Low-cost Display, Autopilot Package

Upgrade provides cockpit upgrade for light aircraft owners
Trio Avionics autopilot for light aircraft
Training and Workforce

TRU Sells King Air Sims to Canadian Firm

Deal includes full-flight sim and a training device
TRU, EIC and Keewatin Air principals celebrate a King Air sim sale
Aircraft

Octans Cygnus Prototype Flies To LABACE

Octans has applied for ANAC certification of the Cygnus
Octans Aircraft Cygnus airplane
Aircraft

Icon Updates A5 with Four-blade Propeller

New propeller improves takeoff performance
Icon A5 Astra Red livery
Aircraft

AOPA Planning National Mall Flyover in May 2024

Event will celebrate history of general aviation
Mark Baker Beechcraft Staggerwing (Photo: Chris Rose for AOPA)
Avionics

Cessna Caravans Get Garmin Avionics Software Upgrade

New 2024 models of the Cessna Caravan and Cessna Grand Caravan EX will feature additional enhancements to their Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight decks.
A digital rendering of a Cessna Caravan and Cessna Grand Caravan EX in flight
Maintenance and Modifications

Garmin Introduces GHA 15 Altitude Reader

Garmin’s new radar-based altitude callout system is designed to help pilots know how far their aircraft is from the ground during landing.
Garmin's GHA 15 height advisor
Aircraft

Tecnam Bringing P-Mentor Trainer to U.S. Market

Tecnam says its Rotax-powered two-seat trainer will significantly reduce costs.
Tecnam P-Mentor training aircraft
Aircraft

Diamond's Electric eDA40 Trainer Makes First Flight

The two-seat Diamond eDA40 should complete type certification by early 2024.
Diamond Aircraft's eDA40 electric light aircraft makes its first flight.
Rotorcraft

Airbus H160 challenges Leonardo AW139

FAA certification in hand, Airbus H160 takes on the competition.
Airbus Helicopters H160
Aircraft

Electric Flyers Might Soon Fly Velis Electro

The Velis Electro is the world' first certified electric aircraft to make it into commercial production, and most buyers are using it for flight training.
Pipistrel Velis Electro
Maintenance and Modifications

MyGoFlight Buys Camera Mount-maker Flight Flix

MyGoFlight's acquisition of Flight Flix adds a new product line of camera mounts designed for aircraft use.
MyGoFlight Flight Flix mount
Maintenance and Modifications

Depod Devices Provide Integrated Electric Propulsion

Additional airflow over the control surface will improve STOL capability for small aircraft.
A computer-generated image of the inside of an airplane wing.
Aircraft

Boeing Extends Platinum Sponsorship of EAA AirVenture

A new three-year agreement extends Boeing's Platinum-level sponsorship of EAA AirVenture and will help continue funding of important programs.
Boeing ecoDemonstrator at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022
Maintenance and Modifications

Sensenich Now Shipping Super Cub Carbon Propellers

Sensenich begins shipping pre-order purchases of its improved propellers.
An image of a propeller attached to the front of a small plane.
Maintenance and Modifications

Hartzell Engine Tech Holding AirVenture Seminars

Free AirVenture educational seminars will help aircraft owners, operators, and mechanics learn about the technology behind Hartzell Engine Tech products.
Hartzell Engine Tech seminar
Avionics

Adventure Pilot App Adds Checklists, Helicopter Mode

The iFly EFB app from Adventure Pilot has been updated with new features including checklists and helicopter mode for rotary-wing pilots.
iFly EFB displayed on Apple and Android devices
Aircraft

China Approves Amphibious Aircraft for Firefighting

AVIC's new AG600 Kunlong amphibious aircraft will also be used for emergency missions, including maritime search and rescue flights.
AVIC's AG600 Kunlong amphibious aircraft conducts water drop during firefighting trials.