Author: kent
Thomas Dunn, RAM Aircraft, L.P. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is a byproduct of hydrocarbon (AVGAS) combustion. Due to its nature, many pilots overlook the danger that CO poses to the safety of flight. According to the NTSB Case Analysis and Reporting Online (CAROL) Query system, ten Factual Reports from 2013 to 2020 for aviation accidents contain ‘Carbon Monoxide – Pilot’ in the Findings. Nine were fatal, one had serious injuries. Prior to the advent of the searchable CAROL system, we found the following from the FAA brochure “Carbon Monoxide: A Deadly Menace”: “What is not…
Two GFC 600-equipped Beechcraft B55 Baron aircraft also receive Smart Rudder Bias and VNAV approvals 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 the American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC Scout1. Additionally, Smart Rudder Bias and vertical navigation (VNAV) functionality2 are now certified for the Beechcraft Baron B55 and B55A aircraft equipped with the GFC 600 autopilot, further growing the list of compatible aircraft to offer this safety-enhancing technology. Full-featured autopilot The GFC 500 autopilot is intended for light piston aircraft while delivering superior…
Wichita, KS – Aeronautix has initiated another STC process to introduce a new starter/generator upgrade for King Air 350 and 350C aircraft. The enhanced system includes improved start capability, increased available electrical power, reduced maintenance activity, and several other benefits over the OEM system. Providing a faster, more efficient engine start than the factory system, due to a new shunt start design coupled with an automated regulation of starting torque, the upgrade will result in less wear and tear to the starter/generator and engine. The refined system has no impact on the pilot’s standard operating procedures. The upgraded starter/generator has…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…