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The cost of certification

September 9, 2012 by 10 Comments

Since AirVenture 2012, I’ve been part of several discussions about the way — and reasons why — aircraft become certified. Sound boring? Yes and no.

One way this might get your interest is to consider if Icon Aircraft, which is developing the A5, could join Cessna in going Primary Category instead of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA). (Disclaimer: I have no information about any such decision from Icon — this is merely a discussion.) Perhaps even more to the point is the price of airplanes based on their certification cost.

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New iPad app for creating flight logs released

September 5, 2012 by 1 Comment

Cockpit Apps, a company that offers iPad solutions for the cockpit, has launched its flagship application, iLOG.

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Building a bigger tent

September 4, 2012 by 2 Comments

With the Republican convention only days behind us, and the Democratic convention going on this week, this is the obvious opportunity to take a lesson from their play books. Because whether you subscribe to this one or that one, you have to admit the elephants and donkeys have been exceptionally successful for many years at exactly one thing: They stay in the driver’s seat year after year, fending off challengers with the ease a well-waxed airplane sheds raindrops in flight. And they both accomplish that feat by using the exact same method. They work hard to build a big tent, and then build it even bigger at every opportunity.

In contrast, let’s consider ourselves — general aviation community. We are a minority. A small minority, actually. Very small. We are also undeniably shrinking. [Read more...]

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Triple Tree and the Sport Aviation Association

September 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

September 5-9 marks the dates for this year’s Triple Tree Aerodrome Fly-In near Woodruff, S.C., your blogger’s favorite sport aviation event of the year.  Compared by many old-timers to the famed Rockford EAA conventions from years past, Triple Tree has all the ingredients needed for success: [Read more...]

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My last day at Oshkosh

August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

By KATE FERRARI

As the rush of fear set upon me, I froze. The propeller was so close, whirring around at an unbelievable pace. I could feel the rush of wind it was emitting, coasting over my neck.

“Katie, come on!” My whole body jolted into action as I snapped back into reality. I ran around to the other side of the SR20 and pushed the scalding, sun-beaten wing with all my might, slowly steering the plane towards the runway. The crew and I were last in line. [Read more...]

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New layer of paperwork consequence of Pilot’s Bill of Rights

August 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

A consequence of the passage last week of the Pilot Bill of Rights is a new layer of paperwork regarding both pilot certification and FAA medicals, according to officials with the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). The new law includes a requirement that applicants receive and sign, and records be kept, of notification that the new law is being complied with.

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Long-time pilot Homer Barnes dies

August 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Long-time pilot Homer Marion Barnes, father to frequent General Aviation News contributor Sparky Barnes Sargent, has gone West. The Pittsboro, N.C., resident died Aug. 11 at the age of 92.

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Breitling contest winner earns his pilot’s license

August 12, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Swiss watch manufacturer Breitling is congratulating Facebook photo contest winner Jeremy P. Hampton from Overland Park, Kansas, on completing his 11-month training program necessary to officially receive his pilot’s license, the grand prize for the contest the company sponsored just over one year ago.

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Political convention TFRs demand serious study

August 9, 2012 by 2 Comments

The FAA has issued first notices of flight restrictions for the two political conventions and flights to, from or through the areas — Tampa, Florida, and Charlotte, N.C. — will be affected, with pilots needing to be alert not only for the announced early Temporary Flight Restrictions, but also for any last-minute changes or additions that may come about.

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Will Generation Y be pilots?

August 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Several recent, seemingly unrelated reports pose issues in our hopes for a new generation of pilots. Boeing’s July announcement that half a million airline pilots will be needed worldwide by 2031 made big news. But many of us have heard such news before. And this time, there are new caveats and wrinkles.

One that caught my eye was a Frontier Group study “Transportation and the New Generation” cited in MOTOR TREND. It said the share of 14- to 34-year-olds without a driver’s license was up to 26% in 2010 from 21%  in 2000. MOTOR TREND worries that young people are weaning themselves from cars and driving. Compared to the mechanically minded “motorhead” generations of yore, this could be more than just a trend toward big-city mass transit or close-in suburban living. At the least, it’s a symptom of generational poor incomes and gas prices that affect flying and flight training, too.

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