Private Jets Charter News

Pilots prepare for Winter Olympics TFRs

Pilots in the Pacific Northwest are being inundated with information about the Temporary Flight Restrictions stemming from the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... read the rest of Pilots prepare for Winter Olympics TFRs (471 words)

EPA working with ethanol lobby to force E15 fuels

Your bloggers just came across this letter (download here) from the EPA dated Nov. 30, written to the heads of the ethanol lobby (Gen. Wesley Clark and Jeff Broin of Growth Energy), essentially promising to force E15 on us all next year despite widespread opposition. Car companies and hundreds of other...

NAFI weighs in on changes to training

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) recently submitted its comments to an FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that covers a variety of changes to pilot-certification requirements and training procedures. “NAFI has taken a great deal of care in reviewing the proposals,” said...

Study on aviation-related injuries recommends changes to aircraft design

The first ever published study of aviation-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. finds that, on average, 1,013 patients are admitted to U.S. hospitals with aviation-related injuries annually, and that an average of 753 aviation-deaths occur each year. The study, conducted by researchers from the Johns...

SLN looks to future

Anyone who has flown into, out of, or over the Salina Municipal Airport (SLN) in Kansas has no doubt noticed busy construction crews all over the airfield. Why all the activity now? A single word: Jobs. “We are working to be successful in recruiting more businesses like CAV Aerospace,” said...

Mike Goulian’s year in photos

Air show performer and Red Bull Air Racer Mike Goulian has posted his “Best Photos of 2009″ at his website, a very cool compilation of photos from the races, as well as his performances, including a fiery Ford Mustang Challenge at this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh.

Court denies Master CFI injunction

A California court has denied a request for an injunction by JoAnn and Sandy Hill that would have stopped the National Association of Flight Instructors from using curriculum the Hills say they created, according to a report from AVweb. AVweb quotes NAFI President as saying: “It’s what we...

Airport funding one way to create jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) President Greg Principato has called on the newly formed bipartisan Congressional Jobs Now! Caucus to include funding for airport infrastructure projects in the Caucus’s upcoming discussions as one way to help create jobs...

RYN master plan updated

The Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors recently approved the 2009 Ryan Airfield (RYN) Master Plan update, which calls for $80 million in improvements over the next 20 years. ... read the rest of RYN master plan updated (328 words)

W.Va. CAP crew locates wreckage of missing plane

An aircrew from the Clarksburg Composite Squadron has located the wreckage of a twin-engine Piper PA-30 that had been reported missing after it left a Texas airport Nov. 23 for Virginia. ... read the rest of W.Va. CAP crew locates wreckage of missing plane (298 words)

December 4 digital edition available

Read the digital version of the December 4 issue of General Aviation News.

SC airport reports continued supply of Mogas

Thanks to Cal Hoffman of the Barnwell Regional Airport (BNL) in Barnwell, S.C., for informing us that the airport has a supply of 93 octane (AKI), ethanol-free, lead-free Mogas on the field. He does not expect any disruptions to the supply in the near future, and suggests that the strong demand for...

Government study cites poor FAA morale

Declining morale at the FAA could affect the way programs move, such as development of the next generation air transportation system (NextGen), according to a study by the Government Accountability Office, which notes the low morale could pose obstacles to FAA’s efforts to retain its existing workforce...

The parallels between flying and business

A Small Business Solutions column by Mitch Free on TheStreet.com compares what it takes to earn a pilot’s license with starting a business. He says: Flying takes intense preparation and focus. You have to plan the route, check the weather, maintain airspeed, keep the wings level, avoid stalls,...

FAA issues SAIB for Beech Dukes

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) because of concerns about the flap actuators on Hawker Beechcraft Model 60 (Duke) Series twin-engine airplanes. ... read the rest of FAA issues SAIB for Beech Dukes (353 words)

Florida Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2009

The Florida Air Museum at Sun ‘n Fun, in collaboration with the Florida Aviation Historical Society, will celebrate the induction of the 2009 Florida Aviation Hall of Fame inductees at a luncheon induction ceremony Friday, Dec. 11. ... read the rest of Florida Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2009 (...

Power Flow offers Toys for Tots discounts

Power Flow Systems, a designer and manufacturer of FAA-approved tuned exhaust systems, has created a December sales program that will assist the U.S. Marine’s Toys for Tots Foundation. Anyone purchasing a Power Flow Tuned Exhaust System by Dec. 24 will receive a discount based on their contributions...

Oklahoma lawmakers study airport development

State lawmakers have convened a study on the development of regional and municipal airports in Oklahoma, according to a recent AP report. According to the report, Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission director Victor Bird says Oklahoma has 111 general aviation airports, the fourth most per capita in the nation...

WAI Conference on track for success

The 21st Annual Women in Aviation Conference, slated for Feb. 25 -27, 2010, has as its theme “Aviation: It’s a Small World.” With the conference based at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Buena Vista, Florida, “It’s a Small World” is appropriate. Currently, attendees represent a dozen...

NAFA awards scholarship

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student Angelica Maleskis, of Port Orange, Fla., was awarded the Corporate Aviation Business Scholarship for 2009 by the National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA). Maleskis is a senior Aviation Business Administration student who is focusing on Airport Management...

Alcohol in fuels

The EAA recently published an article in its online “Light Plane World” reviewing the various aspects of operating small aircraft engines when ethanol might be present in Mogas. Building on past work by your bloggers and others, the article does a good job of providing ample warning of the...

Dan Cammack’s Super Swift

There are certain airplanes that, once you get a desire to own one, nothing else will do. The Temco GC-1B, also known as the Swift, is one of those airplanes — just ask Dan Cammack of Dodge City, Kan. ... read the rest of Dan Cammack’s Super Swift (289 words)

TEX celebrates reopening

Officials at Colorado’s Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) will celebrate a grand re-opening Dec. 17 following the completion of a $22 million runway renovation project. Astronaut and Telluride homeowner Neil Armstrong will serve as the guest of honor at the event, which will celebrate the completion...

California Airports Council formed

The executive directors and CEOs of California’s 30 commercial airports, including many that cater to GA, have formed a statewide airport consortium, the California Airports Council (CAC). ... read the rest of California Airports Council formed (215 words)

Fly like a reindeer

The Airships Venture zeppelin over San Francisco If you’re looking for a unique gift for the aviation buff in your life, how about a flight aboard a zeppelin? Airship Ventures, based at Moffett Field (NAS) in Sunnyvale, Calif., is offering several airship packages this holiday season, including...

First Landings adds Gobosh to fleet

First Landings Aviation, a sport pilot flight school founded in May at Orlando Apopka Airport (X04) in Florida, has added a Gobosh 700S to its fleet. The addition of the Gobosh allows the school to offer both low-wing training in the Gobosh and high-wing training in a Remos G3 600. The Gobosh also...

US Aviation joins forces with Aircraft Precision Maintenance

Jeff Soules (right), VP and general manager of US Aviation, welcomes Wesley Pearce to the maintenance team. US Aviation has expanded its presence at Denton Airport (DTO) in Texas by acquiring Aircraft Precision Maintenance. APM founder Wesley Pearce and his two associates have moved all of the APM assets...

Unforgettable flights

Aviation author Lane Wallace has flown hundreds of interesting flights, and in her new book, “Unforgettable: My Best 10 Flights,” she describes her 10 best. From the Swiss Alps to Key West, from the U-2 to a Piper Cub, Wallace brings the reader with her as she recounts the details of each...

King Air sim gets FAA nod

FlightSafety International’s Hawker Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft simulator has been qualified to Level C by the FAA. Training is scheduled to begin Dec. 14 at FlightSafety’s LaGuardia Learning Center. The simulator’s new VITAL X visual system features detailed, high-resolution views designed...

Bad flare breaks plane

This December 2007 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: Champion 7GCAA; Location: Gallup, N.M.; Injuries: None; Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly...