FAA Reports On UAV Pilot Progress

As of today, the FAA reports that more than 100,000 enthusiasts have obtained a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly a drone for commercial and recreational (not qualifying as “model aircraft”) use since the FAA small drone rule went into effect on August 29, 2016. Under Part 107, the person actually flying a drone – formally an “unmanned aircraft system” (UAS) – must have a Remote Pilot Certificate, or be directly supervised by someone with such a certificate. The majority of drone pilots get certified by studying online materials (PDF) and then passing an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA approved knowledge testing center. You should have no trouble if you study &n

Focus on the customer becomes a multifaceted value proposition for both Daher TBM and Pratt and Whitney Canada

By Anthony J. Liberatore A common theme this year at AirVenture of various manufacturers delivering their press briefings is one of continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, greater operational time, less maintenance and or predictability, and the utilization of information technologies to enable all those goals. It doesn’t seem to be the year of major engine redesigns, and the ensuing performance increase nor one of air-frame tweaks, it is not about the raw performance numbers but perhaps the numbers that come from the metrics of the satisfaction of the customers which would include the maintenance arm that cares for the higher end ai

Modified G550 Delivered To Beijing Red Cross Emergency Medical Center For Disaster Relief And Air Rescue Services

Gulfstream has designed and delivered a state-of-the-art Gulfstream G550 medevac aircraft that it claims will revolutionize in-flight medical care. The modified G550 was delivered to the Beijing Red Cross Emergency Medical Center during a delivery ceremony at Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah. Gulfstream President Mark Burns and Beijing Red Cross Emergency Medical Center Director Li Libing revealed the new aircraft, as well as the center’s interest in adding a Gulfstream G650ER to its fleet for the same mission.

NATA Not in Agrement With AOPA Assertions Regarding the FBO and Airport Community

NATA is continuing to 'educate the public' in light of the AOPA campaign recently referred to as “Denial of Airport Access & Egregious FBO Fees.” NATA urges the industry and public togain a better understanding of the landscape of general aviation to avoid potential unintended consequences derived from AOPA’s misguided assumptions on pricing at publicly-funded airports. “We believe AOPA’s initiative risks increasing costs for users, will redirect resources from important operational and safety projects at airports, and fails to recognize how airports carry out mandates from TSA and satisfy its rigorous requir

AirTextLT Keeps Commerce Flowing In Flight

Satellite technology is nothing new to the modern person, however common communication methods such as SMS texting and voice calling at altitude in personal aircraft, or corporate, has not always been available -- or affordable. Airtext has developed two communication options to deliver seamless ability to communicate globally. The Airtext and AirtextLT sytems are both based on the Iridium satellite constellation and can accommodate up to 62 users simultaneously.