On Feb. 4, Stephen Watson of Santa Clarita, Calif., took the first flight in his RV-7A, becoming the 8,000th completed RV reported to Van’s Aircraft. Watson works for the Jet Propulsion Labs in California, and chose the RV-7A despite the fact that the airplane is powered by a piston engine, with no rocket or jet […]
WACO kicks off Great Lakes Paint Scheme Contest
The WACO Aircraft Company has launched a Great Lakes Paint Scheme Contest. “With the Great Lakes 2T-1A-1 project coming along quickly, we are looking for a great new paint scheme to use on our first airplane,” officials said in a prepared release. Go to WACOAircraft.com to download the Great Lakes drawings. Submissions will be taken […]
FedEx Express donates 727 to SUN ’n FUN
SUN ’n FUN CAMPUS, LAKELAND, FL. – FedEx Express has donated a Boeing 727 to SUN ’n FUN to use as an interactive aviation classroom. SUN ‘n FUN CEO and President John R. “Lites” Leenhouts commented that, “It is truly an honor for SUN ’n FUN to be recognized by the aviation industry giant FedEx […]
Beringer debuts nosewheel for Twin Otter
The Beringer Co. has launched its new STC’d nosewheel for Twin Otter DHC-6. The wheel is CNC machined from high strength aluminum alloy and is anodized, protecting the part against corrosion, according to company officials. The roller bearings last longer thanks to a waterproof environment (lipseals and O-rings), officials add. The parts are optimized using […]
Warbird nose artist at museum
On Feb. 17, as part of its February Open Cockpit event, the New England Air Museum welcomes Connecticut native Gary Velasco, who has developed a reputation as one of the finest “nose artists” in the business. “Nose art” refers to the caricatures painted on wartime aircraft, an art form popularized during World War II. Velasco […]
Innovations: Add ANR to your old headset
Many pilots have upgraded their headset to one of the many popular ANR headsets on the market. But what to do for a passenger without a headset or for someone yet to make the leap to an ANR? If you have an old non-ANR headset, consider an ANR Kit from Headsets Inc., which makes kits […]
NTSB commends AOPA for response to safety recommendations
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has praised the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for its response to NTSB safety recommendations. AOPA took action that exceeded the NTSBs recommendations following the investigation into the Aug. 9, 2010 airplane accident in Alaska that killed former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. The NTSB recommended that AOPA […]
FAA mandates inspections of older Pipers
In a new Service Bulletin, the FAA is mandating enhanced inspections and repairs where necessary to cables that control tail surfaces on about 30,000 Piper aircraft. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the bulletin, prompted by at least one accident and a serious incident stemming from such malfunctioning flight-control systems in recent […]
Paragon FBO network grows
Paragon Aviation Group continues to expand its roster of independent FBOs in The Paragon Network with the addition of DuPage Flight Center (DPA) in Chicago and Henriksen Jet Center (TME) in Houston. Located in West Chicago, DuPage Flight Center boasts a 14,000-square-foot executive terminal that features an array of amenities, including on-site catering, a restaurant […]





