Author: kent

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $2.7 million to support research on how drones can assist in disaster preparedness and in emergencies. “Every second counts in an emergency, and this funding will allow drones to safely and more quickly deploy in moments when minutes matter,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. The research will explore the use of drones in providing effective and efficient responses to different natural and human-made disasters. It will address coordination procedures among drone operators from federal agencies as well as state and local disaster preparedness and emergency response organizations. The five universities and…

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Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., today announced it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the GFC™ 500 autopilot in additional aircraft to include the Cessna 172D/P172D model, Commander 112B, 112TC/TC-A and 114 models. The GFC 500 autopilot is intended for light piston aircraft while delivering superior in-flight characteristics, self-monitoring capabilities and minimal maintenance requirements when compared to older generation autopilot systems. The GFC 500 autopilot uniquely integrates with Garmin’s GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instruments; a combination of either a standby GI 275 or G5 electronic flight instrument interfaced to a…

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Redmond, Oregon-based Stratos Aircraft is making final arrangements for the next two customer deliveries of its revolutionary $2.95-million 716X, the world’s fastest, highest flying and longest range experimental, amateur-built jet. Stratos’ goal is to slash the cost of owning and operating personal jets to that of single-engine turboprops. Customer interest is climbing as Stratos reaches major milestones near the completion of its flight test campaign. “In May, Sean Van Hatten, our chief test pilot repeatedly flew the aircraft to FL 410. We’ve now completed flight envelope expansion, flutter tests and RVSM precision altitude holding tests. We’ve also flown it as…

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Garmin International, Inc. today announced Supplemental Type Certification (STC) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the GI 275 electronic flight instrument in Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters. A powerful solution for helicopter owners and operators, the GI 275 is a scalable, cost-conscious approach to an avionics upgrade that is a direct replacement for a variety of legacy primary flight instruments in the cockpit, including the primary attitude indicator, course deviation indicator (CDI), horizontal situation indicator (HSI), or the multi-function display (MFD). The GI 275 is intentionally designed to take advantage of the common 3.125-inch flight instrument size, reducing installation…

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FREDERICK, Md., June 27, 2022 – The following was issued by the leaders of the EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) initiative following the June 2022 stakeholder update: To advance the common vision of completely eliminating the use of lead in general aviation fuel, a comprehensive update was provided on June 23 to all stakeholders and interested parties by leaders and working groups of the industry/government EAGLE initiative. EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) was developed with one clear goal: eliminate lead from all aviation fuel by 2030 without negatively impacting the safe and efficient operations of the current GA fleet. Stakeholders included a wide range of…

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On July 18th 2022, the FAA will be decommissioning the following databases housed on the Regulatory Guidance Library (RGL): Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB) SAIB documents will change their naming convention from AIR-YY-## to YYYY-## Airworthiness Directives: Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (AD NPRM) After this date, SAIB and AD NPRM documents will only be available on the newly developed Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS). In our next communication, we will provide guides with detailed instructions on how to locate SAIB and AD NPRMs in DRS. In the meantime, please use the DRS Help & Training page for information. Please use the “DRS Feedback” button for any…

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Hartzell Propeller has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA to replace Diamond DA40 NG MT wood/composite propellers with new and higher performance 3-bladed lightweight Polaris composite props. The 74-inch diameter three-blade ASCII carbon fiber prop for the Austro Engine E4-A features a lightweight Bantam aluminum hub and 2,4000-hour / six-year TBO, with Hartzell’s warranty through first overhaul. “Hartzell’s Top Prop performance conversion kit includes the propeller, a white or metallic silver composite spinner, and STC documentation,” said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge. “It delivers light, smooth and state-of-the-art improved climb performance, two to three KTAS faster cruise…

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Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, announced today that company representatives will return to EAA’s 2022 AirVenture in Oshkosh to meet with aircraft owners interested in the company’s popular Cessna piston engine and avionics upgrades. “Oshkosh is the heart of the general aviation industry, bringing in thousands of owners and enthusiasts from around the world every year,” said Katie Church, president of Air Plains. “We had a great time last summer, both developing new customers and meeting with many current customers, and we’re pumped about returning this year.” Once again, the company will…

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Replaces McCauley Propeller A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) has been approved to replace McCauley propellers on Mooney M20M/TLS/Bravo series single-engine aircraft with Hartzell Propeller’s 75-inch diameter three-bladed aluminum props. Airplanes covered by the STC are powered by TIO-540-AF1A and TIO-540-AF1B Turbocharged Lycoming Sabre engines. “Installing Hartzell’s Scimitar-style prop covered by this STC delivers 8-10 percent improvement in climb performance, a 2-3 knot increase in cruise, and looks terrific on the ramp coupled with Mooney’s signature tail,” said Hartzell President JJ Frigge. “And it has the Hartzell Top Prop 2,400 hour, 6 -year time between overhaul, and warranty until first overhaul,”…

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Latest approval reaffirms Garmin’s commitment to international aviation customers Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), is pleased to announce European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval of the GFC™ 600H for AS350 helicopters, providing a cost-effective flight control solution that reduces pilot workload and improves mission effectiveness. The GFC 600H provides a number of helicopter-tailored safety features, including attitude hold with speed stability, the innovative hover assist mode, Garmin Helicopter Electronic Stability and Protection (H-ESP™), dedicated return-to-level (LVL) mode, as well as overspeed and low-speed protection, and more. The GFC 600H features a console-mounted mode controller…

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