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The MIT group deals with the snide remarks, knowing smiles and barely concealed giggles with a single line on its Web site: “Why will Terrafugia succeed where so many others have failed?” the group asks rhetorically. Given the source, the answer might be obvious. In a word, it’s engineering. The trio says it’s taking an […]

A trio of Massachusetts Institute of Technology grads is determined to create something that has so far eluded both the aviation and automotive industry and their idea seems to be carrying a fair bit of weight in academic circles. An outside panel of scientists and technologists have awarded Carl Dietrich the $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize […]

FAA spokesman Greg Martin called the union-inspired legislation another delaying tactic in a set of negotiations that, after six months with little movement, has already gone on too long. “Ironically, this [proposed] legislation contains a mediation clause and we’ve already called for mediation twice. At any time, without the legislation, NATCA can take us up […]

Under the current rules, the FAA has the ability to declare an impasse in negotiations. That sends the whole package to the Republican-controlled Congress for consideration. If, as is widely speculated would be the case, Congress fails to deal with the contract within 60 days, the FAA deal that was on the table when the […]

About 30 members of the House have introduced a companion bill to a Senate document that would ultimately force binding arbitration if the FAA and its unionized workers can’t reach a voluntary contract settlement. The bill’s introduction earned support from both sides of the House (12 Republicans signed on) with Rep. Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.) and […]

“Whether we launch to the scene or not, we will conduct all of the research, interviews, and follow-up examinations necessary to perform an appropriate investigation,” Rosenker said. “We will write the final report, and the NTSB will determine the probable cause of every single accident, no matter how small. This is our mandate, and we […]

Mark Rosenker, acting chairman of the NTSB, spoke to the GA world on Tuesday at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) meeting, and made use of the occasion to respond to a recent story in The Washington Post. The Post reported last week that NTSB investigators have been going to fewer accident scenes every year […]

The piston market grew an additional 20 percent over the 20-year peak reached in 2004, with 2,465 units shipped. Turboprop shipments grew 14 percent. GAMA credits innovations in performance and comfort for keeping the turboprop segment competitive. The bizjet sector grew 27 percent, with 750 units shipped, just 34 fewer than the record of 784 […]

All the numbers show that 2005 was a great year for airplane sales, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported on Monday. Billings rose to $15.1 billion, up 27.2 percent over 2004. U.S. manufacturers shipped 2,857 airplanes, an increase of 21.3 percent. Worldwide shipments of GA aircraft totaled 3,580 units, up 20.8 percent. GAMA President […]

Two private pilots were killed in a midair collision last Thursday in New Zealand. Witnesses said the two Piper Cherokees had been flying in close proximity at about 1,500 feet MSL for about 15 minutes, apparently practicing maneuvers, when the wing of one clipped the tail of the other, according to The New Zealand Herald. […]