The first flight of the Belite Chipper with the Rotax 912UL engine was held June 19. Belite’s James Wiebe posted this video of the flight: Wiebe also released these performance observations: Initial established climb about 600 fpm; Highest climb rate seen about 830 fpm; Flaps 15°; Ailerons in droop mode; Went around the pattern several […]
Briefings
First flight: Sonaca 200
GOSSELIES, Belgium — Sonaca Aircraft has completed the first flight of the Sonaca 200 at Brussels South Charleroi Airport. The Sonaca 200 is a single-engine two-seater designed for training and leisure flights, according to company officials. To achieve the flight tests, Sonaca Aircraft is using the second aircraft (FTA2 – Flight Test Aircraft 2) assembled in Sonaca’s factories […]
West Virginia University, FlightSafety launch Aviation Management program
BECKLEY, West Virginia — The West Virginia University Institute of Technology and FlightSafety International will launch the first class of their joint Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management degree program in August 2017. The new degree leverages strengths from both institutions, according to officials. Students will take WVU Techʼs business, management, aviation, and general education classes online, while […]
New scholarships from JSfirm.com
Two new JSfirm.com scholarships are now being offered to students at the Aerospace Center for Excellence on the SUN ‘n FUN campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. One will go to a student pursuing an Airframe and Powerplant maintenance certificate and one for a student pursuing an engineering degree. “At the Aerospace Center for Excellence, we are […]
AOPA opens flight training survey, expands awards
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s You Can Fly program has opened the 2017 Flight Training Experience Survey. Each year, AOPA recognizes top CFIs and flight schools across the country that provide excellent training experiences. The survey allows AOPA to analyze and share feedback from customers to identify top training providers and help schools improve […]
Lufthansa selects Cirrus for Airline Pilot Training Program
Lufthansa Aviation Training, the flight training program operated by Lufthansa Airlines, has selected Cirrus Aircraft‘s SR20 for its primary training fleet. Lufthansa Aviation Training has ordered 25 aircraft to lead its ab-initio and other flight training programs in Goodyear, Arizona. The SR20 aircraft will be used to train pilots from many of the world’s airlines, including […]
Merlin quick-build kit earns 51% approval
The FAA’s FAA’s National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) recently evaluated the Merlin’s Quick Build Kit, and it passed by .01%, according to company officials. “You can’t get more builder-friendly than that,” says Aeromarine President Chip Erwin, from his build center in Florida, where two customers are completing their Merlin PSA kits right now. Two more […]
Jet Aviation opens new FBO at Hanscom Field
Jet Aviation recently celebrated the opening of a new hangar and FBO terminal at Hanscom Field (KBED) in Bedford, Mass. The new 40,000-square-foot hangar is capable of handling aircraft up to the Gulfstream G650 and the Global 7000, according to Jet Aviation President Rob Smith. The two-story FBO terminal has 13,000 square feet dedicated to customer […]
Democrats introduce legislation to stabilize FAA funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democrats are rejecting President Trump’s plans to privatize America’s air traffic control system, instead introducing legislation to stabilize FAA funding. Rep. Rick Larsen (Washington), the top-ranking Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, joined by Rep. Peter DeFazio (Oregon) and other Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, introduced H.R. 2800, […]