briefs

Two of our stories Thursday left some readers with the wrong idea. First, the NTSB has not issued an official probable cause regarding the January 8 crash of the Air Midwest plane in Charlotte. A final report and determination of probable cause is not expected until late this year. Next, Robbie Gordon did drive in […]

Burt Rutan and his Scaled Composites crew appear to be making a good run in the race for the first civilian spacecraft and the much-hyped X PRIZE. According to the X PRIZE Web site, Rutan has conducted captured carry flights of his SpaceShipOne suborbiter on the launch aircraft, called White Knight One. Next up on […]

It looks like your standard Columbia but Lancair Certified‘s latest certificated model has some important innovations under the cowl and behind the panel. The Lancair 350 is an all-electric version of the Columbia and is the second to gain FAA type approval. Instead of notoriously troublesome vacuum systems, the 350’s instruments and avionics are all […]

All that performance and room for four? Van’s new RV-10 reportedly showed the same spirit as its two-place predecessors (albeit with a larger engine) as it leapt off the runway in 450 feet on its maiden flight Friday. The family-sized version of the world’s most popular kitplane — 3,261 of Van’s Aircraft have been completed […]

U.S. aircraft manufacturers will more effectively compete with their European counterparts when the FAA allows them to sign off on large parts of their own new designs. Walter Desrosier, manager of maintenance and engineering for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, said a new regulation creating “certified design organizations” (CDOs) will bring U.S. regulations in line […]

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has elected James E. Schuster, an executive vice president of Raytheon Company and chairman and CEO of Raytheon Aircraft Company, as vice chairman. In addition to being GAMA vice chairman, Schuster will also serve as chairman of GAMA’s Security Issues Committee, a position he has held since November 2002. […]

What can scare the heck out of airport ground workers? How about a heavy jet departing a closed runway? Federal authorities are investigating the takeoff of a Federal Express cargo jet from a darkened, closed runway at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport May 10. Authorities have not yet determined whether the incident was caused […]

A combination of an overweight condition, aft center of gravity and improperly set elevator control cables are to blame for the crash of a US Airways Express Air Midwest Flight 5481. This was the official probable cause reached by the NTSB at its recent public meeting on May 20-21. You may remember AVweb’s initial coverage […]

Boeing Looks at McAirliners If Boeing has its way, all aircraft they make would look nearly the same. In an effort to continually reinvent itself amidst the worst economic situation the airline industry has ever faced, the Seattle-based aerospace giant is trying to promote the idea of selling somewhat “standardized” aircraft. This includes offering jets […]

Security concerns scuttled race-car driver Robby Gordon’s attempt to drive in two races on the same day last weekend. Gordon wanted to hop out of his Formula 1 car at the close of the Indianapolis 500 and get behind the wheel in time to start the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, N.C. Thanks to a […]