General aviation news archive for May 2013

Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield has issued a fresh appeal for support following the resubmission of a building application for a mixed use development of residential properties and associated amenities, which would be created on the south-east boundary, close to one of the runways.

RAF Bicester-based classic flight training organisation Chiltern Classic Flight (CCF) has launched a unique Formation Flight training programme – developed in conjunction with former RAF fast-jet and BBMF pilot Paul Shenton.

Solar Impulse has set a new absolute world distance record for solar-powered aviation on the second leg of its trans-American journey (832 NM/ 1’541 km), helping to achieve the goal of promoting the use of clean technologies worldwide.

NATS has launched a brand new app which aims to help general aviation pilots avoid infringements of controlled and restricted airspace.

Cessna's Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A has taken its first production flight this week at the company's facility in Independence, Kansas.

Pilots Dave McElroy and Chris Elgar plan to fly 'round the world in 80 days' in 2014 in a single engine aircraft -- to raise $500,000 (about £327,000) for two charities: Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, and Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

The XH558 has now been declared fully airworthy, and has been booked for a wide range of displays in 2013 -- although more funds are still needed to pay for these appearances.

Figures for GA aircraft shipment and billings, released in the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)'s first quarter report for 2013, indicate to a shift towards the positive for GA -- extending across all segments.

Robin New Aircraft unveiled several pieces of interesting news at Aero Friedrichshafen – including the introduction of a new 20-year extended warranty on fuselage and wings, and new NAV/COM sets offering easier VFR flight planning.

Sonex Aircraft has announced the launch of the new 'T-Flight Transition Training Program', offering type-specific transition flight training for the Sonex line of aircraft – for pilots building, buying or considering a Sonex design.

Solar Impulse, a plane powered entirely by the sun, has completed the first leg of its journey across the US – taking off at dawn from San Francisco, California, on Friday 3rd May, and landing in Phoenix, Arizona, 18 hours later.

A bipartisan group of US House members is supporting a bill that would double GA safety -- and cut costs in half.

The CAA today announced that Mike Barnard has been appointed as General Aviation (GA) Programme Manager. Mike’s main role will be leading a programme to develop and implement policy on how the CAA regulates the GA sector in the future to ensure it is safe and the regulation is proportionate.

Cessna's new Citation Sovereign has made its first production flight, lasting a little more than two and a half hours and including tests of the Garmin G5000 avionics with auto throttles, autopilot, engine system, aircraft systems and instrument approaches.

Pilots attending this year’s AeroExpo event at Sywell Aerodrome can receive a personal safety briefing on the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI) stand. Safety experts will be on hand to guide private pilots through a virtual flight, highlighting potential risks and advising on good practice to help avoid, in particular, infringements of controlled airspace.