Aviation News

Jim Remar, president and COO of the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, talks with AVweb’s Elaine Kauh about the restoration project that will bring parts of the Apollo mission engines into the public eye for the first time since the historic flights took place. Duration: 12:12 File Size: 5.9 MB download here

Virgin Galactic’s plans to take small commercial satellites into space took on a new twist this week — on-demand flights via an airliner that would serve as mothership for launching its new space vehicle, LauncherOne.During a ceremony in Texas, Virgin founder Richard Branson unveiled “Cosmic Girl,” a Boeing 747 transferred from his Virgin Atlantic airline. […]

AVweb’s search of news in aviation found a new patent for Aspen Avionics, AOPA’s updated flying club features, a call for NATA award nominations, and the first delivery of Airbus’ U.S.-made H125 helicopter. Aspen Avionics announced it has been awarded a U.S. patent for its groundbreaking Connected Panel wireless cockpit system. The patent, first applied […]

An aerospace company’s new study on the hazards of toy drones mixing with manned aircraft concludes that the safety risks are greater that those of bird strikes. The study (PDF) from Aero Kinetics, “The Real Consequences of Flying Toy Drones in the National Airspace System,” concludes that rotorcraft pilots are at the highest risk of […]

AVweb’s search of aviation news around the world found updates from the flight simulation industry, an upcoming business jet conference, and the passing of the founder of Mayo Aviation. FlyRight, a leading provider of King Air pilot training, announced it will add additional space and equipment in 2016. The expansion will include additional classroom and […]

Burt Rutan’s latest aircraft prototype, the SkiGull, took a first flight this week from Coeur d’Alene airport in Idaho. The documentary film team following Rutan’s work posted photos on Facebook, saying the flight lasted for about 90 minutes with test pilot Glenn Smith, who reported that “the plane was responsive, predictable and fun.” Rutan’s 47th […]

AVweb’s search of what’s new in aviation found STEM projects announced by colleges and universities, winners of the National Rocket Competition, and a new quick-build program from Plane-Crafters. NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) has selected four minority-serving institutions for cooperative agreement awards totaling approximately $2 million to help strengthen science, technology, engineering […]

Business aircraft operators are always concerned about flight proficiency and currency, and the usual way of achieving it is through simulation. At NBAA, Precision Flight Controls showed off its DCX Max, a reasonably priced sim that can be configured to simulate many kinds of aircraft, from single-engine pistons to jets. view on YouTube

At NBAA in Las Vegas, Diamond unveiled its largest and most sophisticated airplane yet, the DA62. With seating for up to seven people, good payload, and cruise speeds in the high 170-knot range on 15 GPH or less, Diamond sees a potential business role for the DA62. view on YouTube

Sandel surprised the NBAA show with a complete new glass panel system for the King Air. AVweb spent some time with Sandel’s Gerry Block taking a tour of the new system. view on YouTube