Aircraft Upgrades

Akka Technologies, a French engineering firm, pitched a futurist concept for a train-plane vehicle to Boeing and others last month at the Paris Air Show, according to Bloomberg News. Passengers would board a pod at a local train station, according to Akka CEO Maurice Ricci, then at the airport, a cockpit and wings would be […]

A modified G550 jet designed for in-flight medical care has been delivered to the Beijing Red Cross Emergency Medical Center, Gulfstream announced last week. The jet features an “unprecedented degree of technological innovation,” according to Gulfstream. The medical bay is outfitted with equipment to help critically ill patients, including a bed that provides 360-degree access, […]

If you need an inexpensive noise cancelling headset for occasional use, one way to get that is to use a commercial non-aviation headset and fit it with a mic. A company called NFlight Technologies has the mic part wired, so to speak. In this podcast recorded at AirVenture, Courtney Martin explains how it works. Duration: […]

Wisconsin-based Engineered Propulsion Systems Inc. (EPS) is back at AirVenture to announce progress on its clean-sheet diesel design intended to go up against established versions from Austro Engine and Continental. Next step for EPS includes more testing, advancement toward certification–and, as always, the hunt for more funding. EPS is tackling the daunting diesel challenge from […]

While some light sport aircraft manufacturers may have misgivings about a higher gross weight for LSAs, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association President Dan Johnson says it’s a good idea and will be a boost for the entire GA industry. “Anything that puts more people in the air and keeps them in the air is good for […]

With a robust design, a projectable overhaul (not replacement) and Dick Rutan assisting with flight test, the EPS Diesel engine project is finding funding and meeting key milestones. AVweb caught up with CEO Michael Fuchs and VP/CTO Steven Weinzierl at AirVenture 2018 for this podcast update. Duration: File Size: download here

Wheel and brake company Beringer came to AirVenture 2018 with a freshly patented shock absorbing wheel, certification for its Alaskan Landing Gear (ALG) and two new STCs for wheel/brake/master cylinder packages. The company is in the process of developing a bolt-on oleo strut system it is calling the Shock-Wheel. The Shock-Wheel is intended for flight […]

The first of a fleet of five BelugaXL aircraft in development by Airbus flew for the first time last week, in France, the company has announced. The flight lasted four hours and 11 minutes, with two pilots and a flight engineer on board. Based on an A330-200 Freighter, the unusual aircraft is designed to be […]

Gulfstream’s all-new midsize G500 jet has received both its type certification and production certificate from the FAA, the company announced last week. Deliveries are set to start later this year. “The tens of thousands of lab hours combined with the more than 5,000 hours we’ve flown the five G500 flight-test aircraft will help ensure we […]

Now that the FAA has temporarily halted testing on an unleaded avgas replacement, a Kansas company says it may revive efforts to develop anti-detonation injection for light aircraft. By injecting a water-methanol mixture into the cylinders, so-called ADI allows engines that would otherwise require 100-octane fuel to burn lower octane. The injected mixture suppresses detonation […]