In Brief

Liberty Aerospace reports FAA test pilots have completed both stall and spin characteristic flight-testing in the Liberty XL2. The tests of the two-seat single-engine aircraft were performed using maximum gross aircraft weight and maximum aft center of gravity. During that time, they flew over 20 hours and completed 32 spins and numerous stalls in different […]

Chase planes might enable resumption of spectacular night launches of space shuttles. NASA is working on a system whereby two WB-57F converted bombers, carrying sophisticated cameras, will be able to watch for pieces falling off the shuttle as it climbs through the atmosphere. Such imagery is required in the wake of the Columbia disaster, in […]

Three British WWII pilots are recovering after ditching their Cessna 172 seven miles offshore after the engine quit. One of the three gave credit to the “jolly nice chaps” on a fishing trawler who quickly came to their aid… A 1946 Stinson was destroyed Sunday when it crashed into a house in Pauls Valley, Okla. […]

Ann Devers has taken over as director of advertising sales for AVweb. In addition, Arturo Weiss will be assisting on the advertising side… Airworthiness Directives are coming on Cessna 400-series aircraft regarding cracks in wing spars requiring inspection and modification. Also, an AD requiring modifications to airspeed indicators and placarding for flight speed reduction and […]

A missing Middle Eastern F-16 has investigators stumped. The jet, which belonged to Bahrain’s air force, disappeared Saturday during a routine training flight over the northern Gulf. Bahraini, American and Australian rescue teams have been involved in patrols to the north of Bahrain, where the F-16 vanished from radar screens. The cause of the accident […]

A flock of swallows swarming near a runway delayed more than 100 flights at Beijing International Airport last week… Final results for the 2003 US National Aerobatic Championships have been posted online. Kirby Chambliss, flying an Edge 540, took the first in the Unlimited category… More than 50 Challenger ultralights flew into Erie Airpark in […]

Australia’s charter and passenger carriers are urged to provide input on changes proposed on air regulations that apply to them. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has revamped Part 121b, which covers charter and scheduled service in aircraft bigger than 5,700 kg. (12,500 lbs.)… Two men have been arrested in the brazen theft of computers from […]

Aircraft Spruce and Specialty has bought the design rights to the Cozy III and Mark IV. Aircraft Spruce has supplied materials, kits and avionics for the popular experimentals since 1982 and will take over the design rights on Jan. 1, 2004… Raytheon Aircraft Services (RAS) has added two executives. Harold (Skip) Madsen is the new […]

As part of its ongoing travels, the National Air Tour stopped in Wichita last weekend. The group — scheduled to fly until September 24 — left for Kansas City on Saturday and will be in Greenville, S.C. today… A couple in New Zealand found a nasty surprise all over their home. The house, which lies […]

Peter Miranda, of Charlotte, N.C., is the 10,000th AOPA Skyspotter. Like his 9,999 predecessors, Miranda took an online course on how to properly file a PIREP. AOPA runs the program through its Air Safety Foundation… Airlines, the New York Port Authority and Boeing could face lawsuits from Sept. 11 thanks to a federal judge’s ruling. […]