Also: Solar Impulse, More Sequestration Nonsense, Honda Jet Engine Report, Aspen Backup Display, Paul Allen's V-2

Despite a clear mandate in opposition to user fees and similar funding mechanisms oft discussed by the FAA, the agency has decided to start enacting some user fees of its own. And... they've begun by making a pretty aggressive demand for EAA to pay them to staff AirVenture.. EAA Chairman Jack Pelton spoke at length with ANN about this and says the FAA has already presented them with a bill… Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has unveiled its newest airplane ... the PC-24 ... which it says is the "world's first 'Super Versatile Jet'." This innovative, entirely new development by the Swiss aircraft manufacturer marks what Pilatus says is the creation of a new segment in the business aviation market: the PC-24 is the first business jet worldwide with the ability to use very short runways, paved or unpaved, and a cargo door as standard. Cessna

Bipartisan Legislation Is Companion To House Measure

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing outdated FAA certification policies currently bogging down small aircraft manufacturers. The Small Aircraft Revitalization Act of 2013 updates the FAA's certification processes to improve safety, decrease costs and encourage innovation.

Meeting Provides Respite From Capitol Hill Rancor

The partisan rancor that has permeated Capitol Hill over Benghazi, the IRS, and other issues was left at the door of the hearing room in which the Senate Commerce Committee considered the nomination of Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to become the next Secretary of Transportation.

Move Follows Offer Of Voluntary Retirement Last Month

An unspecified number of workers have been laid off at Cessna, according to a company statement. The move came Thursday, a month after the planemaker asked for voluntary retirements from both salaried and hourly workers.

Phoenix To Dallas Flight Sets Absolute Distance World Record For Solar-Powered Aviation

Solar Impulse successfully landed in Dallas-Fort Worth on Thursday, May 23 completing the longest leg of the 2013 Across America mission and setting a new absolute world distance record in solar aviation, having traveled at 832 nm.

DHC-2 Beaver Went Down Off Coast Of British Columbia

A former Canadian Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) has been fatally injured in a floatplane accident off the coast of British Columbia. Liberal Harold Long was reportedly the only person on board the DHC-2 Beaver that was discovered inverted in the water in Blue Inlet on the west side of Stuart Island on Tuesday.

Move The Result Of Three Accidents Involving Airplanes Colliding With Meteorological Evaluation Towers

The NTSB has issued six broad-reaching safety recommendations after three accidents in which airplanes collided with Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs). In each of the accidents, which occurred between 2005 and 2011, the MET was unmarked and unlighted.

Test Pilot Says The Airplane 'Performed Just As Expected'

Cessna conducted the first production flight of its Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A at the company's facility in Independence, KS on Tuesday. The aircraft has the distinction of being the first modern single engine aircraft powered by a piston engine specifically designed to run on Jet-A fuel.

Hopes To Raise Awareness For iPad Use In-Flight

MyGoFlight, a company focused on making the iPad “Cockpit Ready” for pilots, has become a corporate sponsor of the IMC Cub. As a sponsor, MyGoFlight will provide its iPad cases, mounts, bags & accessories for use in awards given by the IMC Club to pilots achieving national recognition on their instrument flying.

Veteran GA Industry Executive Will Lead Global Efforts

Piper has appointed General Aviation industry veteran, Drew McEwen, to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, where he will lead global sales and marketing for the Company. He will continue to report to President and CEO Simon Caldecott and serve on the Company's Executive Leadership Team.