WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) celebrated its 75th year as the voice of aviation business Dec. 28. As a response to military efforts in 1940 to ground all private flying in America for the duration of World War II, activists moved to prevent the cessation of general aviation activity — in the process […]
Briefings
First flight: Mooney M10
Mooney International Corp. has successfully completed the first flight of the M10T Proof of Concept (POC) aircraft. The first flight was performed by test pilot Len Fox on Wednesday, Dec. 23, in the vicinity of the Chino Airport in California. The flight lasted approximately 15 minutes, with Fox conducting basic flight maneuvers and verifying design data. […]
Congress passes FAA funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Congress has passed an omnibus measure that includes key funding for general aviation manufacturers in safety, certification, and alternative fuels for piston-engine aircraft. It also makes permanent the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit, and extends bonus depreciation for five years. The bill, which now heads to President Obama for his […]
Merlin PSA makes U.S debut
Just introduced to the U.S. is the Merlin PSA, a single-seat Personal Sport Aircraft. The all-aluminum aircraft features a cantilevered wing and a 120 mph cruise speed. Price is under $35,000, which includes the builders’ assistance program in Florida, according to company officials. The Merlin PSA is available now as a quick-build Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft. The design was created on 3D CAD/CAM […]
FAA Small Unmanned Aircraft registration begins Dec. 21
The FAA’s Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry has gone live online. In preparation for registering online, each owner must provide his or her name, home address and email address. Upon completion of registration, the web application will generate a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership that will include a unique identification number for the UAS […]
First flight: Aerolab from a kit
LONE ROCK, Wis. and MILAN, Italy — Francesco Rizzi, founder of Aerolab Manufacturing, and designer of the Sport Camp series of Experimental/Amateur-built kit aircraft, and Ed Leineweber, managing member of Golden Age Aeroworks, distributor of Aerolab products in the United States, recently conducted the first flights of the first Aerolab aircraft built from a production kit. LoCamp […]
Survey finds airshows a great way to attract next generation of pilots
Nearly 10% of the estimated 11 million to 12 million people who attend airshows each year have a pilot’s license. Another 39.5% say they are considering taking flying lessons, according to the most recent airshow spectator survey from the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS). “Airshows and the experiences young people have at airshows are a driving […]
Diamond DA40 Tundra introduced
Diamond Aircraft has introduced the jet-fuel-powered DA40 Tundra designed for backcountry flying. The four-seat cabin with folding rear seat backs, large forward opening canopy and rear door means plenty of room for fly fishing rods, guns, tents, skis, snowshoes, and even mountain bikes, according to company officials. The all-composite airframe offers resistance to bumps and scrapes and […]
Avflight adds location at KGUC
Avflight Corporation continues the expansion of its portfolio of FBOs with the addition of Avflight Gunnison at Crested Butte Regional Airport in Gunnison, Colorado. “The acquisition of Gunnison Valley Aviation is a big win for Avflight,” said Carl Muhs, Avflight president. “We’ve long admired the exceptional service Gunnison Valley Aviation has provided its customers at KGUC. […]