briefs

Eclipse Aviation flew its fourth conforming test aircraft for the first time on Saturday. N505EA took off at 1:44 p.m. from the Albuquerque (N.M.) International Sunport, climbed to 15,000 feet and reached 160 knots. The aircraft flew for 43 minutes and completed initial tests of flap operation, pressurization, and handling characteristics. 5EA is the first […]

A pilot who died in the crash of his twin Cessna 441 had 10 times the normal dose of an over-the-counter sedating antihistamine in his blood, the NTSB said it in its final report, filed last week. “It is probable that the pilot’s performance and judgment were substantially impaired by his very high blood level […]

When airports normally are closing down at a quick pace around the country, it’s always a pleasure to find a new site for general aviation. This week, the FAA approved the opening up of the private South Waller County Airport near Houston for public use. The developer will start out by paving 4,500 feet of […]

COLUMNS The Pilot’s Lounge #89: How We Scare Our Passengers Without Realizing ItSometimes it’s obvious why our friends and relations enjoy — or don’t enjoy — flying with us. But sometimes the reason they quit going is more subtle, and we may need to remember those things we felt back when we first learned how […]

AVmail: July 11, 2005Reader mail this week about more D.C. incursions, Cirrus ‘chute save, restrictions on GA and more.

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The four-seat Seawind amphibian kitplane is well on its way to reaching the market in a certified version, the company said last week. ”We had always hoped that we would, some day, certify the Seawind,” said company President Dick Silva. “Now the day is almost here.” The most significant modifications to the kit design include […]

The FAA has released a new draft Advisory Circular (AC) that sets guidelines to allow aging aircraft to continue flying with known cracks if the crack is not in a primary structure and the airframe can still withstand the ultimate design load. AOPA says the AC needs to clarify that it can be applied to […]

Two teenagers have a plan for their summer that soars beyond mowing lawns or playing baseball … they planned to launch over the weekend from New Jersey in their grandfather’s 1946 Aeronca Champ, bound for California. Cousins Ben Dunckerley and Nick Reed, both 17, said they were inspired by reading Rinker Buck’s memoir, “Flight of […]