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.

Airports

New York/New Jersey Helicopter Traffic Draws Fresh Fire

Critics target heliports, civil operations

Aircraft

Grob G109B Joins Aerobility Aviation Charity Fleet

Aerobility, a UK-based charity offering disabled people the opportunity to fly, has added its fifth aircraft, a two-seat Grob G109B motor glider.

Rotorcraft

Leonardo Lands Order for Four IFR AW119Kx Singles

Western New York air ambulance provider Mercy Flight Central has ordered four IFR certified Leonardo Helicopters AW119Kx singles.

Maintenance and Modifications

Airbus Delivers Five-blade H145s to Germany's ADAC

German air ambulance provider ADAC has taken delivery of two five-bladed Airbus H145s and announced plans to upgrade its H145 fleet to the same config.

Rotorcraft

Scared Passengers Sue Helicopter Operator

Passengers sue for mental distress after crew recovers from botched oil rig approaches, vortex ring state spin.

Regulations and Government

Helo Pilot Charged after Airlifting Ice Cream Cake

Dairy Queen drop-in lands helicopter pilot in the dock.

Rotorcraft

First Five-blade Airbus H145 Delivered in North America

Canadian air ambulance operator Stars has become the first North American operator of the five-bladed Airbus Helicopters H145 light twin.

Rotorcraft

Erickson Puts Itself in Play

Erickson seeks partner to help fund new technology, MRO expansion.

Aircraft

Piper Certifies GWX 8000 Radar in M-class Singles

Buyers of Piper's M-series single-engine aircraft can now add the optional Garmin GWX 8000 digital radar.

Agricultural Aviation Celebrates 100th Anniversary

This week marks a milestone in general aviation history, the centennial anniversary of agricultural aviation.

Rotorcraft

Bristow Edging Toward Profitability

Helicopter operator Bristow Group narrows loss on increasing revenues.

Rotorcraft

Leonardo AW109 Light Twin Helicopter Turns 50

Leonardo's light twin helicopter made its first flight in 1971.

Safety

FlightAware Offers Aviator Personal Flight Tracking

General aviation pilots can access the same tracking information as business jet and airline operations with the new FlightAware Aviator service.

Rotorcraft

Opener Readies BlackFly eVTOL for Sales This Fall

Opener will offer single-seat eVTOL as Part 103 Light Sport aircraft.

Rotorcraft

F. Lee Bailey's Enstrom Tenure Creative, Chaotic

Famed trial attorney and aviator F. Lee Bailey guided Enstrom Helicopter through a decade of achievement.

Regulations and Government

Dickson: FAA Not Backing Down on Instruction LODA

FAA's chief says the agency is working on a new rule to clarify instruction requirements in certain category aircraft, but the industry isn't satisfied.

Aircraft

AINsight: By Gosh, It’s Oshkosh!

The first EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show since the last one in 2019 attracted huge crowds and record-breaking numbers of aircraft.

Aircraft

Daher Predicts Record Year For TBM Sales

Daher's TBM turboprops already sold out for 2021.

Engines

GAMI Gains FAA STC for High-octane Unleaded Avgas

An unleaded replacement for leaded 100LL avgas is on the short-term horizon and may solve a difficult problem for general aviation.

Aircraft

Blackfly Flies at AirVenture Show Center

The flight of Opener's Blackfly eVTOL aircraft added a new twist to the EAA. AirVenture airshow lineup.

Rotorcraft

Curti Brings Turbine Kit Copter to AirVenture

The Curti Zefhir kit helicopter carries a price of $500,000 during AirVenture.

Avionics

Avidyne Develops AI-based PilotEye with Daedalean

The PilotEye vision system is based on artificial intelligence technology and promises to reduce pilot workload, while also supporting autonomous flight.