One of the more interesting results of the light-sport aircraft revolution has been the recent adaptation of a number of LSA-based airframes among conventional flight schools. Mostly powered by Rotax 912 series engines, and often operated on MoGas, the majority of these aircraft feature next-gen glass panels and extremely cost-effective operating outlays. Aircraft seeing extensive early adoption include the Bristell Classic, the Pipistrel Alpha, Flight Design’s CT series, SportCruiser, Tecnam 2000 series, Van’s RV-12, Kitfox SLSA, and others... with recent additions like the Texas Aircraft Colt and Vashon Ranger also starting to draw attenti
Also: TSA Reaches Out to CFIs, NIFA 2020 Cancelled, Flight School CEO Bad Behavior, A-FT Schedule
Got a great note from our friends at Pipistrel... they're offering you something pretty exciting to occupy your time while you're sheltering in place. Anybody, whether student pilot, pilot, flight instructor or aviation enthusiast, flying clubs, flight schools can apply and join Pipistrel online courses free-of-charge for a period of 3 months, from April 2020 until end of June 2020. This unique offer is available worldwide to all, including to non-pilots who are interested in aviation. The latest generation
NBAA Addressing COVID-19 Challenges -- 'While Remaining Focused on Priorities'
The COVID-19 pandemic has struck much of aviation, and has compiled an extensive list of indignities to some of aviation's best and brightest... and now the NBAA, itself, has had to step back and conserve resources as well, announcing layoffs on Tuesday. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen announced the significant reduction to the organization's workforce, both to address challenges raised by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to retain a sharp focus on advocacy, strategic communications, operational support, the production of NBAA-BACE and other events, and other priorities for the association and industry.
A USAF Instructor and Student Were Lost In The Mishap
A fatal T-38 training mission crash, that took place November 21st, 2019, at Vance Air Force Base, OK, took the lives of LtC. John "Matt" Kincade, 47, an instructor pilot from the 5th Flying Training Squadron, and 2nd Lt. Travis Wilkie, 23, a student pilot from the 71st Student Squadron. Now, a USAF Accident Investigation Board has finalized a report that details what led to this tragedy. The report notes that the T-38 Talon IP (instructor pilot) failed to take command of the vehicle as his student used a premature aerodynamic braking maneuver shortly after touchdown that launched the jet back into the air, and resulted in a collision with another jet landing in formation with them. As a result
GE Aviation is undertaking a massive layoff as the aviation industry still struggles with carrying the load imparted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The word became official as GE Vice Chair and President and CEO, GE Aviation David Joyce published a statement about their state of business. "...The deep contraction of commercial aviation is unprecedented, affecting every customer worldwide. Global traffic is expected to be down approximately 80% in the second quarter when compared to the start of the pandemic’s effect in China in early February. Our aircraft manufacturers have announced reduced production schedules that will extend into 2021 and beyond reacting to the projected prolonged recovery,
New Video Segments Make Course The Perfect At-Home Refresher
Sporty's has updated and expanded its popular Flight Review Course, adding new content focused on flight proficiency and stick and rudder skills. The addition of flight maneuvers training, featuring step-by-step instructions, helps pilots prepare for the flight portion of their next flight review and also makes a great review for anyone who hasn’t flown recently. “We know that many pilots’ flight time has been limited lately,” said Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “We believe this updated course is a valuable resource for staying current and preparing for a summer filled with flying.”
FAA Announces That Eight Companies Will Assist In RID Programs
The FAA has announced that eight companies that will assist the Federal government in establishing requirements for future suppliers of Remote Identification (Remote ID). Remote ID will enable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, to provide identification and location information while operating in the nation’s airspace. The FAA selected the following companies to develop technology requirements for future Remote ID UAS Service Suppliers (USS): Airbus, AirMap, Amazon, Intel, One Sky, Skyward, T-Mobile, and Wing. These companies were selected through a Request for Information process in December 2018.
One Man's Journey To An Award-Winning Vintage Airplane
When Michael Maniatis came across the 1928 de Havilland Gipsy Moth he brought to AirVenture 2019, it was in pieces in a barn in Canada and was barely recognizable as an airplane. This year, it was one of the stars in the Vintage area, and became an award-winner. Maniatis did a lot of research to be able to make his airplane as authentic to the original as possible. He said he was given a lot of plans for the airplane when he bought it, but while he had much of the basics, he was not provided with information of many of the small details that would make it
Delta Expands Onboard Customer Spacing With Blocked Seats On All Aircraft
Delta has announced major changes too itd aircraft seating protocols as a result of safety issues raised by the globalk pandemic. As a result, it is blocking the sale of select aisle and window seats on its aircraft, while capping seating at 50 percent in First Class and 60 percent in Main Cabin, and associated seating classes. The change is effective through June 30, and is their, "most recent addition to a number of health and safety measures we’ve taken to promote a safe flying experience for customers and employees."
Not-For-Profit, 2 Or 4-Year, Post-Secondary Educational Institutions Eligible
The FAA's 2018 Reauthorization required the FAA to establish a collegiate training initiative program relating to UAS. It also called for a process to designate an association of public, two-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Small UAS System Technology Training. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI) Program addresses the Section 631 requirement of the FAA 2018 Reauthorization Act. Any public two-year institutions of higher education that participate in the UAS-CTI program will also be designated as members of the Consortium for Small Unmanned Aircraft System Technology Traini
Tragic IFR Accident Results In Near Vertical Impact
On March 17, 2020, about 0919 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna 208B, N274PM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident about 7 nautical miles northwest of La Crosse, Kansas. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand cargo flight. The Planemasters Ltd. flight, PMS1670, was being operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas, to Hays Regional Airport (HYS), Hays, Kansas.
Ground Stop (GS)
The GS is a process that requires aircraft that meet a specific criteria to remain on the ground. The criteria may be airport specific, airspace specific, or equipment specific; for example, all departures to San Francisco, or all departures entering Yorktown sector, or all Category I and II aircraft going to Charlotte. GSs normally occur with little or no warning.
Aero Linx: California Pilot's Association
Established in 1949, CPA is a statewide non-profit committed to the support of our state general aviation airports and flight privileges with the objectives to: Growing General Aviation, Airport/infrastructure support and advocacy, Advice/Expert Testimony, Research, Education/Information, and Events – such as our Annual Meeting and statewide meet and greet meetings. CPA is a statewide non-profit served by volunteers. All money collected in the form of dues or donations is used to deal with the many issues that CA airports face – no one is paid.
FMI:
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"As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging organizations of every kind, and NBAA is certainly not immune to those challenges... We are working to address the challenge by looking at all aspects of our business, including significant reductions to our workforce, consistent with what we are seeing in the aviation community and beyond. This difficult but necessary step will ensure that we are strategically positioned to meet a rapidly changing series of demands, while also focusing on the initiatives essential to our members. The decisions we're making have been among our most difficult ever, but I firmly believe they are appropriate to ensure NBAA, and business aviation, will thrive as we look to the future."
Source: NBAA Boss, Ed Bol
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