News

All new Skyhawk 172 airplanes now will be delivered with an angle-of-attack indicator as standard equipment, Cessna announced at Sun ‘n Fun today. The system, by Safe Flight, also will be available as an option on the Skylane 182 and the Turbo Stationaire 206. The dash-mounted system provides trend and AoA information during all phases […]

With its IFD-series navigators gaining some market ground, Avidyne announced at Sun ‘n Fun Tuesday several enhancements to the product line that expand capability and convenience for users, according to Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn. Schwinn said Avidyne is making synthetic vision available for its entire line of IFR navigators. The synvision features a unique in-trail […]

Piper Aircraft has a chock-full exhibit this year at Sun ‘n Fun, in Lakeland, Florida, showcasing their new flagship model, the M600, for the first time. The $2.85-million airplane features a new clean-sheet-design wing and Garmin G3000 touchscreen avionics. It’s powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 600-shp engine, and cruises at up to 274 […]

Sonex is back at Sun ‘n Fun this year, and they brought along their latest project, the B-Model kit for Sonex and Waiex designs. The B-Models offer a larger cabin space, created by straightening the forward sides of the fuselage and moving the seats back. A center Y-stick offers dual controls while making it easier […]

Alaska Air, based in Seattle, has agreed to acquire San Francisco-based Virgin America for $2.6 billion, the companies announced this week. “With Alaska Airlines’ strong foundation in the Pacific Northwest, and Virgin America’s California hubs … [the combined airline will offer] more than 1,200 daily departures to destinations across North and Central America,” Alaska Airlines […]

An original Wright brothers patent application that had been missing since 1980 was found in Kansas last month, in a limestone cave used to store records, the Washington Post reported this week. The packet of papers was supposed to have been kept in a vault at the National Archives in Washington. But when officials looked […]

General aviation manufacturers have been talking for years about revising Part 23, the rule that regulates certification of small aircraft, and a draft new rule was recently released by the FAA. This far-ranging rule will affect almost everyone involved in general aviation, especially aircraft buyers and aircraft manufacturers. Tom Peghiny, president of Flight Design USA, […]

Just in time for Sun ‘n Fun, the NTSB has issued a new Safety Alert aimed at pilots planning to fly in to an aviation event. “Arrivals at major fly-in events … pose unique challenges for pilots (and air traffic controllers),” the NTSB says, “including extremely high-density traffic, special flight and communication procedures, a rapidly […]

Starting May 1, anyone who wants to take part in an EAA-sanctioned Young Eagles event will have to take an online training course and undergo a standard background check before interacting with the young participants. EAA introduced its Youth Protection Policy earlier this year and got an earful from some volunteers who objected to what […]

It’s barely April, and some parts of the East Coast woke to snowfalls this morning, but in Lakeland, Florida, it’s time for an early start to flying season with the opening of Sun ‘n Fun. The show has been tweaking its dates for several years, trying to satisfy fly-in pilots in search of perfect weather […]