Ownership

We get e-mail from readers who have had what they often prefer to call prop incidents as to possibly avoid the term prop-strike, and its frequent need for a recommended or mandatory engine tear down. In our response to readers we quote the latest manufacturer directives and FAA guidance, and add our perspectives and experience […]

The Thai Air Force extended the life of its fleet of DC-3s by decades with their conversion to Basler BT-67s. They’re used for everything from troop transport to making it rain. view on YouTube

AVwebs weekly dig into aviation developments uncovered news that two states passed laws that include aviation in recreational activity protections, Lightspeed launched its long-promised Zulu PFX headset, the Cessna TTx was approved for flight into known icing (FIKI) and Zenith Aircraft set the date for its annual Hangar Day. On June 25, California Governor Jerry […]

In casual conversation, some people tell me that they think the best part of an aviation journalists job is getting to fly lots of different kinds of airplanes. Maybe. On the other hand, it should be no surprise that most new airplanes these days fly about the same, given that most were certified years ago […]

The love-hate relationship between pilots/aircraft owners and mechanics/shops seems to wax and wane, depending on the person you spoke with last. The good news is that most of the time mechanics and pilots recognize that they depend on each other for their livelihood and existence. The bad news is that there are times that certain […]

The resumption of supersonic passenger travel is getting closer to reality, NASA said this week, as the agency’s aeronautics researchers are making progress in developing low-sonic-boom technology. “Lessening sonic booms … is the most significant hurdle to reintroducing commercial supersonic flight,” said Peter Coen, head of the High Speed Project in NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission […]

Cessna 172s may be not be fast or sexy, but there are plenty of them out there and prices reflect that supply. There are also lots of aftermarket mods for these airplanes. Larry Gettleman of Louisville, Ky., put that to work in his refurb of this months Refurbished Aircraft the Month. I have owned this […]

Lithium-ion batteries, which have three times the power of lead acid aircraft cells, are starting to find their way into new aircraft. Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics has formed a new division called True Blue Power to serve this market. In this AVweb video, MCI’s Todd Winter discusses the new battery products. view on YouTube

Continental Motors says it will take the wraps off a new 300-hp aircraft V-6 diesel engine at AirVenture in July, according to CEO Rhett Ross. Like the Centurion 2.0 and 2.0S diesels, the new engine leverages automotive technology from Mercedes Benz and is aimed at the high-performance single- and twin-engine segment not yet served by […]

AVwebs weekly survey of whats new in aviation uncovered an expansion of the long-running Citation Special Olympics Airlift, election of there new board members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, a Fly First Year Free promotion for one Diamond DA40 XLT and the scheduling of a Heavy Bomber Weekend in Milwaukee just prior […]