Wayward Pilot, With Multiple Convictions, Confirmed As Dead

Opinion, Analysis and Observation by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell After years of holding our breath and dreading the beating the aviation world was taking over the crimes and mis-deeds of one of the most dreadful aviators in the world, we can sadly confirm that the potential for future damage and death is finally over. The remains of David G Riggs, a multiply convicted felon, con-man and errant pilot were pulled from a Chinese lake by a dive and recovery team and identified as the illicit airman. Riggs had an extraordinary history of crime, cons, frauds and just plain foolish behavior... both in and out of aviation. At least one major airshow personality called him one of the 'most embar

Also: Aeroscraft Flies, New Dynon, FreeFlight's ADS-B Out Option, WWII Airmen Come Home, Swift Fuels Opens Up

ANN has confirmed that aviation’s resident ‘bad boy’ David Riggs has died in a crash of his Lancair while in China for an airshow. The accident occurred outside Shenyang when Riggs Experimental Amateur-Built Lancair 320 went down in a lake. Unfortunately, Riggs had a passenger that was also killed. The latest addition to Boeing's Dreamliner stable ... the longer, higher-capacity, dash 9, made its first flight in the skies over Washington State Tuesday. The airliner lifted off the runway just after 11:00 am PDT and flew for abo

Works To Resolve Aircraft Slide Inspection Compliance, Expects Flight Disruptions To Be Resolved Promptly

The FAA this week became aware that Allegiant Air may not have inspected some emergency evacuation slides on its MD-80 fleet at required intervals. The agency learned about the issue while investigating an emergency evacuation of Allegiant Airlines flight 436 at McCarran International Airport on September 16, in which all passengers were safely evacuated.

South Korean Flight School Also Takes Options For Future Aircraft Next Year

Diamond Aircraft Industries and Cheongju University from South Korea finalized a firm order for four single-engine DA40 NGs and one D-SIM-40 flight simulator for deliveries in 2013 with option for further expansions in 2014. These are the first aircraft of this type from Diamond Aircraft in Korea.

Grants Made To 20 Airports For Environmental Initiatives

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced Thursday that the he would release $6.4 million in FAA AIP grants for 20 airports nationwide that are taking innovative steps to become more sustainable.

FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker, NTSB Member Mark Rosekind To Speak

Bombardier Aerospace is planning its 17th annual Safety Standdown U.S.A. to be held in in Wichita, KS from September 30 to October 3, 2013. The planemaker says safer skies are the mission of Safety Standdown program.

Spacecraft Carries 24 Thrusters For Maneuvering In Space

Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft is one step closer to liftoff after a gauntlet of test firings of its steering jets at White Sands Space Harbor in Las Cruces, NM. Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne recently completed the tests, which simulated the demanding environment of space.

Air Traffic Controller Reportedly Placed Jets On A Collision Course

Two Qantas jets apparently narrowly avoided colliding in mid-air Friday when they came within about 900 feet of each other near Adelaide, Australia.

Statement Comes Prior To ICAO Meeting Next Week

Ahead of the ICAO Assembly 38th Session beginning 24 September, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) reaffirms its support for the implementation of an international MBM mechanism to address aviation CO2 emissions under ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Such a mechanism is vital in order to deter the creation of a patchwork of unilateral national and/or regional policy measures across the globe.

Graduates From The Program Can Reach The Cockpit In 1,000 Hours

Aviation graduates from the Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business will be eligible to earn an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificates with as few as 1,000 flying hours rather than 1,500 hours, as mandated by a new law which took effect on Aug 2.

“These grants will help airports operate more efficiently, providing savings for the airports and their travelers alike, while protecting the health of the local communities they serve.” Source: DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx.

The maximum density altitude where the best rate-of-climb airspeed will produce a 100-feet-per-minute climb at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power.

FAA Laser Safety Initiative

Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk and violates federal law. Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and may be carrying hundreds of passengers.