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.

Regulations and Government

Intentional Aircraft Crasher Pleads Guilty

A California man who intentionally crashed his airplane as an internet stunt and lied about it to investigators now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Jacob bailing out of his Taylorcraft.
Aircraft

Boeing Takes Control of eVTOL Aircraft Developer Wisk

Boeing will support Wisk's plans to bring a four-seat autonomous eVTOL aircraft to market later this decade after taking full control of the company.
Wisk Aero is developing a four-seat autonomous eVTOL aircraft.
Environment

Advanced Air Mobility is Coming of Age

Next year the first all-electric air taxi service is due to begin in Paris in support of the Olympic Games.
Volocopter Volocity
Maintenance and Modifications

Garmin GFC 600 Autopilot Approved for Piper Chieftain

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain utility aircraft equipped with the GFC 600 autopilot can now also use Garmin's Smart Rudder Bias system.
Garmin's GFC 600 autopilot
FBOs

Skyservice Opens Latest U.S. FBO in Napa Valley

Canadian aviation services provider Skyservice has opened its latest FBO south of the border at California's Napa County Airport.
Architectural rendering of Skyservice's planned FBO at Napa County Airport in California
Maintenance and Modifications

True Blue Power Adds Lithium Batteries for Light Aircraft

True Blue Power Adds Lithium Batteries for Light Aircraft
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Maintenance and Modifications

VSE To Acquire Desser Aerospace

VSE Corporation looks to expand its products and services through the acquisition of aircraft component and MRO services provider Desser Aerospace.
Dessser Aerospace product offerings
Maintenance and Modifications

True Blue Power Adds Lithium Batteries for Light Aircraft

The new main ship batteries from True Blue Power weigh just 10 pounds and are designed for 14- and 28-volt light aircraft electrical systems.
True Blue Power lithium-ion main ship battery for aircraft
Engines

P&WC Names ITP Aero Authorized Overhauler for PW200s

ITP Aero in Ajalvir, Spain, is now a designated facility for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of PW200 engines.
light-twin helicopter with PW200 engine
Aircraft

Diamond Aircraft To Begin SAF Testing in Diesel Engines

Austrian aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft along with sister company Austro Engine will soon begin testing engines on sustainable aviation fuel.
Various models of Diamond Aircraft flying in formation above cloud layer
Aircraft

Instant Insurance Quotes Now Available for Aircraft Owners

SkyWatch eliminates the middleman in the aircraft insurance-buying process.
SkyWatch aircraft insurance website
Aircraft

Blue Line Aviation Opts for All-Piper Training Fleet

Blue Line Aviation, a flight school in North Carolina, signed a deal for up to 115 Piper airplanes and announced an expansion into Florida.
Blue Line Aviation Piper Archer at Sun n Fun 2023

CubCrafters Rolls Out UL Variant with Updated Engine

CubCrafters is hoping to tap into the international market with its newest aircraft, the Carbon Cub UL, which will meet LSA and ultralight requirements.
CubCrafters Carbon Cub UL in flight
Aircraft

Blog: Where’s My Electric-powered Airplane?

Development of electric aircraft by the experimental aircraft community seems to be lagging, but there are some interesting efforts underway.
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Aircraft

Textron Sells 15 More Skyhawks to Epic Flight Academy

Including its latest agreement for 15 Cessna Skyhawks, Epic Flight Academy has ordered 43 copies of the piston-single model since 2016.
Epic Flight Academy Cessna 172 (Photo: Textron Aviation)

Cirrus Launches Aircraft Configurator

Cirrus launched a web-based aircraft configurator that allows customers to virtually spec out a SR-series piston aircraft or SF50 Vision Jet.
Screenshot of Cirrus Aircraft's online aircraft configurator displaying SF50 Vision Jet cabin with interior options
Safety

Aerox Introduces Headset-mounted Oxygen Cannula

The Boomula headset-mounted cannula makes supplemental oxygen use simpler for pilots.
Aerox headset-mounted oxygen cannula for pilots shown mounted on Bose A20 headset and David Clark headset

The Island 'Social Hub' Lands at Sun 'n Fun 2023

The 2023 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo will host The Island, a newly added “social hub” that will include the pilot welcome center, a cafe, and entertainment.
AIN Logo
Training and Workforce

Parents Group Helps Central Florida Aero Academy Soar

PLANES, the parents group at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, is fundraising this week at the Sun 'n Fun airshow to support the high school.
Central Florida Aerospace Academy
Environment

Centennial Airport To Incentivize Unleaded Avgas Adoption

Officials in Colorado have voted to incentivize the introduction of UL94 unleaded avgas and introduce it at Centennial Airport as soon as practical.
Cessna 172S in flight over airfield at Centennial Airport
Environment

Bay Area FBO Adds Unleaded Avgas

APP Jet Center at San Francisco-area Hayward Executive Airport has added UL94 unleaded avgas to its fuel offerings.
Piston airplane parked next to pumps at APP Jet Center's fuel farm at Hayward Executive Airport
Airports

NATA Responds to AOPA Ramp Proposal

NATA looks to counter a legistlative proposal from AOPA and others calling for the establishment of GA ramps at public use airports.
Cirrus SR20 on ramp Hawthorne Airport (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)
Rotorcraft

FAA Qualifies Coptersafety Level D Simulators

Finland-based Coptersafety offers pilot training in the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW169.
Coptersafety Airbus H145D2 simulator
Rotorcraft

Avionics Makers Hold Key to Extending Helicopter Lifespans

Cockpit upgrades help helicopters maintain economic viability and avoid obsolescence.
Garmin avionics upgrade AS350 helicopter
Avionics

Geared Up: Flying with ForeFlight's Sentry Plus ADS-B Receiver

ForeFlight's latest Sentry ADS-B receiver adds a flight data recorder, larger battery, and a g-meter, among other features.
ForeFlight iPad app with Sentry Plus ADS-B receiver
Rotorcraft

EASA To Study Helicopter Vortex Ring State

A vortex ring state study undertaken by EASA will focus on recovery methods for various helicopter types.
Graphic depicting helicopter vortex ring state
FBOs

New Luxury GA Hangar Complex Opens in San Francisco Area

The newly-opened Skyway Center at San Carlos Airport offers 50,000 sq ft of hangar space in an upscale complex aimed at general aviation owners.
Skyway Center at California's San Carlos Airport
Avionics

AeroBrigham Buys MyGoFlight Head-up Display Division

AeroBrigham plans to expand the approvals for the AeroDisplay head-up display into the Part 27 helicopter market.
AeroDisplay head-up display installed in aircraft
Avionics

Skyryse Gets FAA Nod for FlightOS STC Applications

Skyryse aims to install its FlightOS automated flight deck on existing aircraft such as the Robinson R66 helicopter.
Skyryse FlightOS automated flight control system in Robinson R66 helicopter
Airports

Illinois General Aviation Airport Makes Brewing History

Guests at Southern Illinois Airport will be able to sample the first beer brewed at a general aviation airport starting next week.
model holding glass of St. Nicholas Brewing Company beer in front of business aircraft parked on airport at Southern Illinois Airport