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Part of TCMs vision is an all-encompassing data, marketing and service system that its calling the Alpha System. For nearly a decade, the company has had the bones of this in its online TCMLink service, one of the better Web-based service and data networks. The Alpha System might be thought of as v. 2.0 of […]

TCM already has the firewall side of the equation wrapped up in its PowerLink FADEC system, the companys president, Bryan Lewis, told a group of journalists this week. The Aerosance-developed PowerLink employs pulsed fuel injection and variable timing in lieu of conventional magnetos and pump-driven mechanical fuel injection. It also has an engine control unit […]

What will the next-generation light aircraft powerplant be? Will it be an off-the-shelf FADEC-driven engine with improved fuel specifics? Or a large-displacement six-cylinder powerplant capable of burning unleaded premium autogas? A 300-hp two-stroke diesel? In the world according to Teledyne Continental Motors, it could be any or all of those and this week, the company […]

Another development that may lead to lower prices for those new to sport flying is the recent announcement from Rotax that its two-stroke 65-hp R-582 engine has met ASTM standards. The two-stroke is commonly used in smaller aircraft such as ultralights, trikes, and powered parachutes. Up till now, those aircraft had to install a heavier […]

While industry advocates hoping to attract new hordes into aviation hope too that any attention is good attention, publicity isn’t the only hurdle. Alluring as reduced training and medical requirements may be, the sticker prices on factory-built light sport aircraft (LSAs) could prove daunting, if newbies find the costs out of proportion with other options […]

Soon, pilots will be flying around the Texas skies without medical exams, with just a driver’s license and half the experience of a private pilot — that’s the alarm raised by a story about sport pilots in last weekend’s Dallas Morning News. “If they don’t have to get a medical, or if there are ones […]

In a torrent of regulatory verbosity last week, the FAA issued five diesel-related notices of proposed special conditions dealing with its concerns about putting Jet-A-powered engines in planes designed to use 100 LL. It detailed the many and varied factors that those seeking diesel STCs from the two main manufacturers will have to consider and […]

Anyone who’s owned a vehicle with one knows that a diesel engine is a different animal, requiring different care and feeding. Well, the same goes for aircraft applications and the FAA has come out with a list of special conditions that must be satisfied before the switch is made from 100LL to Jet-A. And while […]

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told reporters that other TRACON consolidations have been accomplished with no impact on safety and they do save money. She also discounted the Florida delegation’s fears about hurricanes and other threats to service. “When we build a facility in an area prone to natural disasters, we make the facility capable of […]

Although Democrats have traditionally been opposed to these types of measures, this amendment has bilateral support and was sparked by the FAA’s intention to move the Palm Beach TRACON to Miami. Two Republicans, Mark Foley and Clay Shaw, joined Democrat Robert Wexler in backing the amendment, which was proposed by Alcee Hastings, another Florida Democrat. […]