General aviation news archive for June 2012

The Queen has unveiled a £6m memorial to the 55,573 airmen of Bomber Command who died during bombing raids in World War II, in honour of their service and bravery.

Early ground running tests to XH558's replacement engines have gone well, showing up a couple of leaks that have since been fixed. The team now has to adjust certain required settings such as the idle and maximum RPMs before testing the auxiliaries such as the hydraulics and electrics.

Following a joint initiative by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and air traffic service provider, NATS, an electronic version of the 1:500,000 VFR chart of the London 2012 Olympics airspace changes has now been made available. This chart has been provided to existing distributors of electronic charts for onward distribution, free of charge to existing subscribers.

The creation of an apprenticeship scheme to train future commercial pilots has been welcomed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The new Higher Apprenticeship, which will be developed by City & Guilds, will lead to a Commercial Pilot’s Licence. It is one of several new vocational schemes announced today by the Business Secretary, Vince Cable.

A definitive pilot’s guide to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been launched today by the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI). The 100-page manual navigates pilots through the various security and operational airspace restrictions in place for the duration of the Games, as well as detailing the specific additional procedures to be followed over the summer.

At the request of the Metropolitan Police, temporary restricted airspace has been introduced from today over the London Olympic park.

The Breitling Wingwalkers will take to the skies at the Best of British Show at Cotswold Airport on Monday 27th August 2012, performing a breathtaking sequence of formation loops and rolls, while daring wingwalkers in patriotic Union Jack flying suits perform acrobatics on the wings.

A brand new flying charity called Little Wings has been set up in a bid to change lives through flying. Founded by a team of pilots who want to combine their love of flying with their strong desire to help those who suffer, the charity is planning to offer free, life-changing flights for disabled, disadvantaged, and terminally ill children and their families -- from their local airfield.

Brightline Bags, the developer of 2011's best-selling bag, has now released a whole brand new range called the Brightline FLEX system to replace their original product, available exclusively in the UK from Flightstore Pilot Shop.

Proviation Pilot Shop has been named as the UK distributor for the new Dual XGPS150E GPS adapter for Apple and smartphones, providing a more reliable and accurate GPS signal to ia vareity of devices including iPads, iPhones, smartphones, tablets and laptops.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the first types in a newly created certification category for light aircraft. Following the PS-28 Cruiser from Czech Sport Aircraft and the Flight Design CTLS-ELA, the Evektor SportStar RTC is the third aircraft type to be certified under new specifications designed specifically for Light Sports Aircraft (LSA). Aeroplanes in this category have up to two seats and a mass of less than 600kg.

The Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI) website has now published safety information and guidance for pilots flying outside the Olympics restricted airspace this summer, including details of temporary controlled airspace.

An instructor from a Dundee-based flying school has been presented with an award from The Air League in recognition of his services to flight training and outstanding flying instruction with young students.

Dunsfold Aerodrome was celebrating a victory against Waverley Borough Council this week when they won both Appeals against restrictions imposed to an application to extend operational flying hours for the Olympics.

As part of Wickenby Aerodrome’s 70th Birthday Airshow, the Lincolnshire-based historic airfield has released a limited number of wing walker training flights available during both the Airshow weekend (16-17th June) and the following weekend (23rd-24th June).

A research team is set to embark on a renewed underwater search for the wreckage of Amelia Earhart’s twin-engine Lockheed Electra in July to mark the 75th anniversary of her disappearance.

Thirteen-year-old Robbie Rizk has become the youngest person in the world to compete in a national aerobatics contest.

Flightstore has been appointed as the exclusive UK distributor for high-end premium brand V:One Aviation Supplies, a UK-based manufacturer of aviation clothing and sunglasses.

Following XH558's aborted flight on Monday 28th May due to a severe incident involving both port engines, Vulcan to the Sky has issued an update on the current status of the aircraft - revealing that both No.1 and No.2 engines on the port side are beyond repair.