News

A Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) created by AeroVironment, designed to look and fly like a hummingbird, has achieved remote-controlled hover and flight while carrying a camera that transmits real-time video to its control unit. When we last saw the vehicle in video, its control looked questionable. Now, the ornithopter is shown in controlled hover and […]

As the FAA prepares to set up a committee to tackle the leaded avgas replacement issue, no one really knows what current buyers of aviation fuels really think. Now’s your chance to tell us. In our most exhaustive survey on aviation fuel yet, we’re asking detailed questions about aircraft owner preferences for a future fuel. […]

During a House committee hearing Wednesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the plan to provide an alternate engine for the F-35 “unnecessary and extravagant” and a “waste” of $3 billion, and the House voted to cut funds. The House voted to cut $450 million for the engine program from funding for the remainder of the […]

Women in Aviation International will host its 22nd annual conference next week in Reno, Nev., from Feb. 24 to 26. The event brings together a wide range of aviation professionals, educators and enthusiasts, and welcomes men as well as women from around the world. A variety of professional development seminars, networking opportunities, exhibits and social […]

The FAA should change its rules so hours logged by students flying with sport-pilot instructors will count toward later ratings, says a coalition of general aviation advocacy groups. Under the current rules, some instructors are certified to teach only sport pilots and only in light sport aircraft. The FAA doesn’t allow dual time logged with […]

General aviation aircraft are great for those who want to bring their pets along when they fly, and now a pet-services company is offering a special training program to ensure that pets’ in-flight safety is protected. Sit ‘n Stay Global offers a training program for cabin crews or pilots who deal with pets aboard private […]

DOT will invite comments from affected parties before it changes eligibility requirements for the Block Aircraft Registration Request program. As we reported last week, the National Business Aviation Association sent notice to members warning that the DOT was reviewing the program, which allows aircraft owners to conceal their registration to prevent tracking of aircraft movements. […]

Pipistrel said this week its electric-powered, two-seat self-launching glider, the Taurus Electro G2, is now available for sale. The company, based in Slovenia, is also offering a solar trailer for the airplane, which can charge it up in about five hours. The 40-kilowatt motor is powered by lithium-technology batteries that are monitored by Pipistrel’s own […]

Embraer will open its first U.S. factory next week in Melbourne, Fla. The 90,000-square-foot assembly plant for Phenom business jets will be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting Feb. 21. The factory project was announced shortly after the Phenom 300 prototype started flying in May of 2008. Both the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 will […]

The general aviation fleet in the U.S. will continue to grow over the next 20 years, but at a rate of only 0.9 percent per year, the FAA said in its annual forecast, released on Tuesday. Fixed-wing turbine aircraft will sell best, growing at a projected rate of 3.1 percent each year. Rotorcraft are projected […]