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.

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.

Rotorcraft

Avionics Makers Hold Key to Extending Helicopter Lifespans

Cockpit upgrades help helicopters maintain economic viability and avoid obsolescence.

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

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.

Rotorcraft

Hill Helicopters Tops 700 Orders

Hill plans to begin flight testing of its HX50 helicopter later this year.

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.

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.

Iridium Go! exec satellite communicator (Phone: Iridium)

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.

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.

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.

Spring Adamo (fourth from right) presents check to Midge Donald for Dress for Success New Orleans (Photo: Curt Epstein)

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.

100LL avgas being dispensed into piston aircraft wing tanks

Accidents

No Witnesses, Video for Fatal Bell 407 Gulf Crash

NTSB preliminary report notes that no eyewitnesses or video exists in investigation of a Bell 407 that crashed on takeoff from Gulf Coast energy platform.