Tecnam’s design juggernaut: Do these guys sleep?

Tecnam already released news about its new Sea-Sky Hydroplane option of straight or four-wheel composite amphibious floats for the Echo Classic or Eaglet models. For the Echo, also known as the P92 (referencing 1992), this represents the sixth generation of that model. The in-house-designed Sea-Sky Hydroplanes (pictured) should be present for Sun ’n Fun, according to importer Tecnam North America.

As late-night TV ads shout, “But there’s more…!” Tecnam also introduced its brand-new taildragger version of the venerable Echo, done in what Phil Solomon calls a “retro style,” with a wood panel and other touches. [Read more...]

$11.35 million: What will it cost you?

Dec. 18, 2011: One of the largest air crash disaster verdicts was handed down by a Philadelphia jury, which awarded $11.35 million in compensatory damages to Dr. Robert Marisco Jr. and his fiancee Heather Moran, both of Akron, Ohio, in an action against Winner Aviation Corp.

I must first state I am very sorry for their injuries and suffering in this crash. It seems an error chain is what caused the accident, as usual, and each link in that chain has a part to claim.

As the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA), we must address a concern we have expressed for years based on our country’s legal system, as well as a few other issues this affects.

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Twirly Birds name award winner

Twirly Birds has named Elfan Ap Rees the 2012 Les Morris Award recipient. Ap Rees is a noted aviation historian, author, pilot and founder of The Helicopter Museum, the world’s largest dedicated collection of military and civil rotorcraft located in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset on the southwest coast of England.

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Subcommittee hearing to focus on GPS and aviation safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) will hold a hearing Wednesday to review the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a critical part of transportation infrastructure.

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Kansas Cosmosphere launches search for new CEO

The Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center is launching a search for a new president and CEO.

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Mid-Continent Instruments names Smith Quality Assurance Manager

Mid-Continent Instruments has appointed Mark W. Smith as Quality Assurance Manager.

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Management changes at AOPA

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has promoted Heidi Williams to Vice President, Air Traffic Services and Modernization. Craig Spence, Vice President of Operations and International Affairs, will continue to lead AOPA’s security advocacy efforts and will take on greater responsibilities related to international activities.

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Gear collapses on landing

This February 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

Aircraft: Cessna 210. Injuries: None. Location: Aurora, Colo. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: Shortly after takeoff when the pilot attempted to retract the landing gear, it did not retract. The pilot verified the position of the landing gear by looking out of the window and noted that the wheels appeared to be in the down-and-locked position. [Read more...]

Ethanol: It will get you coming and going

Recently, reader Frank Klein asked if he should be concerned about filling up containers of auto gas for his plane if the previous customer pumped 10% ethanol fuel from a pump island that uses a common dispensing hose for several grades of auto gas.

When I do some rough calculations, I figure that the amount of fuel contained in the hose and meter would give you close to a gallon of fuel, so if you are using a five-gallon container, you would have close to 20% ethanol-containing fuel.

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Sebring breaks records

The eighth running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, just finished and a resounding success it was on nearly all counts. Smiles were broad from most attending or exhibiting at Sebring 2012. The weather was the best ever with temperatures hitting 80° and every day sunny and pleasant.

We can look at several ways to measure the action at Sebring:

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