News

A rocket-drive theory that was discussed at a scientific meeting this week has the Internet buzzing, but critics say the research is flawed and violates well-established laws of physics. The electromagnetic-drive research was presented by Martin Tajmar, a professor for Space Systems at the Dresden University of Technology in Germany, at a meeting of the […]

It would appear the latest political gambit to reform pilot medical regulations will die Wednesday when the House extends existing funding for highway projects and gets ready to go on summer holiday. CNN reported House Speaker John Boehner told members Tuesday the House would vote on a three-month extension rather than consider a Senate bill […]

A cockpit design that made it possible for one human error to result in a catastrophic crash was mainly to blame for the destruction of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo last October, which resulted in the death of the co-pilot and injury to the pilot, the NTSB concluded on Tuesday. The board also spent some time discussing […]

A Russian helicopter pilot on a solo trip around the world was rescued on Monday morning after spending more than 30 hours alone on an ice floe after ditching his Robinson R22 helicopter about midway between Iqualuit and Greenland, in the Davis Strait. “It’s wet. It’s cold. He has some polar bear neighbors who are […]

Airbus recently debuted its Bluecopter technology demonstrator, with a public demo at its facility in Donauworth, Germany. The aircraft already has logged more than 28 hours, testing out new technologies that aim to improve fuel efficiency and the ability to fly quietly. “With Bluecopter, we have met our goals of decreasing fuel consumption by as […]

Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank made some progress in Washington over the weekend, winning support from a Senate vote in a rare Sunday session. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has been lobbying for reauthorization of the bank, which expired June 30, saying the bank’s loan guarantees help GA manufacturers to close transactions with non-U.S. buyers. […]

NASA beta-tested a GA version of its Automatic Ground-Collision Avoidance System at AirVenture, bringing in a couple dozen volunteer pilots over the week to fly a simulator connected to a cellphone test app. The software alerts pilots, visually and aurally, when they approach terrain, then offers guidance on how to maneuver to avoid it. NASA‘s […]

Honda Aircraft Company now is expanding its sales network to South America, the company announced this week at EAA AirVenture. Sales will begin in Brazil, and the jet will make its South American debut there next month at the Latin America Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition. “General aviation in Brazil has experienced impressive growth, and […]

“We had nearly perfect weather,” EAA Chairman Jack Pelton said in his closing news conference at AirVenture on Sunday, “and it really felt like we’re getting back to our culture — that’s what we’ve been striving for, these last three years.” On Tuesday, the show logged “the most aircraft arrivals ever,” with more than 3,000 […]

The new Perlan 2 glider joined the Airbus A350 XWB at EAA AirVenture this week. The pressurized, two-seat glider has been designed to fly up to 90,000 feet, at the edge of space, where it will explore the science of stratospheric mountain waves that affect the global climate. This will require the engineering of a […]