News

While many would accept a U.S. Court of Appeals decision as the final word on most issues, the friction between Santa Monica Airport and its tightly packed neighbors seems to find new ways to flare up. Two months ago the court affirmed the contract between the city of Santa Monica and the FAA which prevents […]

The Martin Jetpack flew for more than seven minutes and at altitudes of more than 100 feet last week but there was a dummy at the controls. The New Zealand company put a mannequin onboard and flew the ducted-fan VTOL ultralight aircraft by remote control in the first publicized glimpse of what the device might […]

NASA is crystal balling about the future shape and performance of airplanes and has awarded more than $16.5 million in research grants to four organizations with specific goals to make flight leaner, greener and more lightning-resistant. Of course, $16.5 million won’t result in any flyable developments but NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate in Washington says […]

Emivest Aerospace Corp., formerly Sino Swearingen, won approval from a bankruptcy court Thursday to sell its assets to MT LLC at a deep discount, leaving the future of the struggling SJ30 business jet program temporarily in question. MT’s total cost appears to be $5.2 million, made up of a $3.5 million purchase price and $1.7 […]

Investigators have found anomalies with a fuel servo on Kyle and Amanda Franklin’s Waco UPF-7 biplane as they probe the March 12 crash landing and fire. The 1940 biplane was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985. That engine was supplied by Tulsa Aircraft Engines, which is one of the few outfits that specialize in […]

It appeared at first that an onboard fire had led to the emergency landing at New Orleans, on April 4, of United Airlines’ Flight 497, an Airbus A-320, but investigators announced Thursday they had no evidence to support that. According to the NTSB, shortly after takeoff an automated system warned the crew of smoke in […]

The NTSB has released its preliminary report on the crash last week at Roswell International Air Center Airport, N.M., of a Gulfstream GVI (G650) that killed all four aboard, and Gulfstream has suspended flight activities of its four remaining GVI jets. The NTSB says the jet was performing a takeoff with simulated engine failure and […]

The FAA says it’s moving forward to fire a controller caught sleeping on the job at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport in February. According to the Washington Post, the incident was revealed on Wednesday when FAA administrator Randy Babbitt was testifying before a House transportation subcommittee. Babbitt told the committee he learned of it shortly after […]

The 24-year-old pilot who landed a Piper Warrior with two passengers onboard on Rockaway Beach in Queens, N.Y., Monday reportedly told police he got the idea from Discovery Channel’s reality TV series Flying Wild Alaska. The show depicts the flying exploits of commercial pilots in Alaska where beach landings are relatively more common than they […]

Frederick Airport in Maryland, home airport of AOPA, earned another distinction during Women of Aviation World Week in March. A total of 22 pilots gave free introductory flights to 185 girls and women to claim the title of Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport in the World. “This accomplishment set a new world record for most […]