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.
Aircraft
Instant Insurance Quotes Now Available for Aircraft Owners
SkyWatch eliminates the middleman in the aircraft insurance-buying process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety
Aerox Introduces Headset-mounted Oxygen Cannula
The Boomula headset-mounted cannula makes supplemental oxygen use simpler for pilots.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rotorcraft
FAA Qualifies Coptersafety Level D Simulators
Finland-based Coptersafety offers pilot training in the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW169.
Rotorcraft
Avionics Makers Hold Key to Extending Helicopter Lifespans
Cockpit upgrades help helicopters maintain economic viability and avoid obsolescence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Recent FAA Medical Updates and Controversies
The FAA's recent changes to vision restriction verbiage and relaxation of rules regarding cardiovascular conditions have pilots talking.
Avionics
FAA Approves New Aspen Display Software Update
Aspen Avionics has released a software update with Garmin GFC 600 autopilot interface capability.
Avionics
Hands-on: Flying with Lightspeed’s Delta Zulu Headset
Lightspeed aims to usher in a new era of sensor-equipped headsets to make flying safer.
Rotorcraft
Hill Helicopters Tops 700 Orders
Hill plans to begin flight testing of its HX50 helicopter later this year.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Iridium Releases Certus-based Portable Communicator
The new Iridium Go! exec satellite communications device has been tested in light aircraft and delivers higher-speed connectivity.
Aircraft
Enstrom Flies First New-production Helo Since Reopening
Enstrom flies its first new production helicopter since reopening in May 2022, a 480B.
Fuel
Avfuel Launches 50th-anniversary Celebration at SDC
The company reflects on its history and looks ahead at NBAA's Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference this week in Nashville.
NBAA Honors FirstEnergy's Spring Adamo for Leadership
Spring Adamo, a longtime business aviation scheduler and former chair of the S&D Committee, is this year’s recipient of the S&D Leadership Award.
Training and Workforce
How To Be a Safe Helicopter Pilot
There's more to being safe than simply not crashing, and here we learn how from helicopter experts.
Environment
Genav Groups Caution EPA on Transition from Leaded Avgas
In comments to the EPA's proposed endangerment finding on leaded avgas, seven general aviation groups cautioned on need for safe transition to unleaded.
