Purdue Aviation has placed an order for the Cessna Turbo Skyhawk JT-A. The delivery to Purdue Aviation will be the first in the U.S. following certification later this year. The Cessna Turbo Skyhawk JT-A is a factory option that uses the Continental CD-155 engine. Maximum range is 885 nautical miles, a 38% increase over the standard Skyhawk. Maximum speed […]
Aircraft
Extra 300LE earns two world speed records
The Extra 330LE, an electric-powered aerobatics plane, has earned two new world speed records from FAI, the World Air Sports Federation. The plane was flown at two different weights by two different pilots to set two new world records. Both flights were observed by an FAI official. The records are: Speed over a 3km (1.86 miles) […]
Kodiak earns EASA certification
Quest Aircraft has received certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Kodiak 100, pushing the total number of countries that the Kodiak is certified in to over 50. “This is a significant milestone for the Kodiak 100 program. With its STOL capabilities, the Kodiak will allow European operators with large payloads to […]
Engineering a special A36 Bonanza
Veteran aviator Doug Decker approaches most flying matters with an engineer’s critical eye for detail. Things need to be exact. The numbers have to tally. Logic holds ascendency over emotion. But describing his aircraft, N998PL, a brilliant yellow 1996 A36 Bonanza, Decker sounds a lot like a pilot speaking straight from the heart. “I don’t […]
Celebrating the Bonanza
It’s an iconic airplane that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. About 17,500 Bonanzas have been produced over the past seven decades, with production still continuing, but at a much lower rate. In 2016, 25 Bonanzas were produced by Textron Aviation, which bought the Beechcraft brand in 2014. The Bonanza is also a plane […]
The Doctor Killer
While the Beechcraft Bonanza has a loyal following, it also has an infamous moniker: The Doctor Killer. It gained that name decades ago following a spate of high-profile crashes, with many of the pilot doctors. In fact, that spate of accidents was part of the reason for the creation of the Beechcraft Pilot Proficiency Program […]
Bearhawk now flying on five continents
Bearhawk Aircraft reports its line of utility, transport and recreational aircraft are now flying on five continents. The Barrows Bearhawk was originally conceived and first built in the mid-1990s in Virginia. Today, three models are offered in both plan and kit form for amateur aircraft builders. Designer Bob Barrows originally brought the aircraft to fruition as a […]
Mooney Ultras certified
The FAA has granted full certification to the two latest aircraft from Mooney International Corporation: The M20U Ovation Ultra and the M20V Acclaim Ultra. According to company officials, the newly designed Mooney Acclaim and Ovation Ultras feature a host of improvements, including: Larger and wider pilot and co-pilot entry doors, The latest Garmin NXi avionics, A composite-wrapped cabin for […]
Two is better than one
When looking at the American Bonanza Society’s offerings, you have to wonder: How can they do all that with membership dues at just $70 a year? It comes down to two organizations working hand in hand: The ABS and the ABS Air Safety Foundation. “The American Bonanza Society is the membership organization,” explains Thomas P. Turner, […]