News

The FAA plans to identify six test ranges “to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in to the National Airspace System” and it is seeking pilot input. The FAA says it will also host webinars for further exchange of information between the agency and the public. The sites will be used to help develop certification standards […]

The FAA Thursday issued notice that it intends to discontinue the paper application form used to apply for FAA medical certification. The agency will on Oct. 1, 2012, switch to its online FAA Form 8500-8 application, otherwise known as “FAA MedXpress.” That virtual form was introduced in 2007 and “has evolved considerably, streamlining FAA medical […]

Rotax has added a new engine to its line of popular four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engines — the 912iS. The new engine represents somewhat of a technological leap for large-volume, small-displacement aircraft powerplants in that it features electronic fuel injection and an electronic engine management unit. Company officials rolled out the new engine at BRP/Rotax’s company […]

The environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) has sued the EPA asking for the regulation of lead emissions from general aviation aircraft under the Clean Air Act, and Wednesday, AVweb spoke to a lawyer on the case. According to attorney Marianne Engelman Lado, “The sky is not falling and no one is even calling […]

Tom Cruise, star of the first Top Gun film, is expected to appear in Top Gun 2, now in the works, and according to recent reports, he’ll play the test pilot of a Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter. Cruise confirmed a few months ago that he was talking with the producer and director of […]

Over the years, various events to recognize women’s contributions to aviation have been held in March to coincide with Women’s History Month, and this year, many events are scheduled for this week, in honor of International Women’s Day on Thursday. A group based in Canada has organized Women of Aviation Week Worldwide to encourage pilots […]

Montreal-based Esterline CMC Electronics has announced a new turboprop application for their acquired SmartDeck integrated glass cockpit. CMC’s Greg Plantz told AVweb in an exclusive interview that Czech Republic aircraft maker Evektor has chosen the SmartDeck for the new-generation EV-55 Outback twin turboprop, bringing the once seemingly abandoned yet capable SmartDeck suite to a higher […]

Epic Aircraft, the Bend, Ore., manufacturer of speedy turboprop kit aircraft called the LT, has been sold to a Russian company. In a news release, Epic describes its new owner, Engineering LLC, as “Russia’s premier maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider.” The Russian company intends to certify the LT but will keep making the kits, […]

Several of general aviation’s big advocacy groups have seen change at the top in recent years as long-term leaders move on, and now the National Air Transportation Association is saying goodbye to James Coyne, who has been president since 1994. In a letter to NATA members posted on Monday, Coyne said he will continue to […]