News

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association announced this week that it has created a new “associate membership” category for manufacturers of electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft. The association said it hopes to “better enable the worldwide development, growth, and airworthiness certification of electric and hybrid propulsion technology to benefit the future of general aviation.” GAMA noted […]

The latest version of Lockheed Martin’s Viper jet, the F-16V, completed its first flight last week, the company said in a news release. The aircraft features a new radar system by Northrop Grumman that Lockheed says “will deliver a quantum leap in capability.” The cockpit also has a new center pedestal display and an upgraded […]

Walmart is now seeking to take part in drone-driven package delivery, joining other high-profile companies such as Google and Amazon. The big-box retail giant this week applied to the FAA for a commercial waiver for drone test flights. It has already begun indoor testing with unmanned aircraft, which does not require FAA approval, and is […]

U.K. budget carrier easyJet has pledged to double the percentage of prospective female pilot candidates from the current 6 percent to 12 percent over the next two years. In her inaugural address to the British Air Transport Association last week, Carolyn McCall said the airline will actively recruit female pilots. “We will highlight the opportunities […]

As aviation groups lament the slow implementation of NextGen, a nationwide effort has emerged to turn back the clock. Protests were held in eight major cities Saturday as part of “No-Fly Day,” an apparently well-organized effort to get the FAA to revise the routing that the new satellite approaches and departures mandate. The revisions have […]

Van’s Aircraft is warning that a $35 million lawsuit filed against it in Oregon might actually be an indictment of the whole kit aircraft business. The family of a four-year-old girl who died in an RV-10 flown by her step-grandfather claims the kit manufacturer creates the unreasonable expectation that people who lack skills and training […]

Redbird Flight Simulations has partnered with Tempus Training Solutions to operate the Redbird Proflight Academy at its Skyport FBO in San Marcos, Texas. Tempus will continue training pilots there under FAA Part 61 and 141. The move allows Redbird to devote more of its resources to research and development, while continuing to use the training […]

For those looking for an introduction to angle-of-attack indicators in GA aircraft, the FAA has a new video to get started. The 19-minute video includes an introduction to angle-of-attack indicators, their use and general advice on installation in airplanes — plus references to FAA documents for further research. It also has demonstrations of three AOA […]

Finding a big market for a TV show all about airplanes might seem like a challenge, but The Aviators has found its niche, and now is ready to start its sixth season, this week. “The season starts off with a segment we’ve long wanted to do, working with Jessica Cox, who has learned to fly […]

The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter that crashed in Soldotna, Alaska, in 2013 was overweight and out of CG limits, the NTSB said in its probable cause report this week. Contributing to the accident was the FAA’s “failure to require weight and balance documentation for this type of air taxi flight,” the NTSB said. The aircraft […]