Solar Impulse 2, Pilot's Bill Of Rights 2, And The Mooney M10 Are Among The Year's Big Stories

There was a major advance for pilots on the medical certificate front as the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2 passed the full U.S. Senate. Mooney flew its new fixed-gear airplane for the first time, and Solar Impulse 2 got stuck in Hawaii after a record-setting crossing of the Pacific ocean. Here are some of the top stories from General Aviation from the past year.

January

When someone says "Triplane" ... something from Fokker in the early part of the last century comes immediately to mind. But the three-wing configuration has been resurrected for an airplane that may someday fly on solar power and biofuel.

The first Mooney M20TN airplane to be manufactured in China rolled off the company's assembly line in Central China's Henan province.

The NTSB has found that the FAA mistakenly released investigative information, an error that violated NTSB regulations and party process in our investigation of a March 13, 2014, airplane accident in Philadelphia.

In a post to the official DOT blog just after the new year, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said that the agency’s enduring mission is "to ensure that the United States has the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world."

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) was been named by new Senate Commerce Committee chair John Thune (R-SD) as the Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security.

Piper delivered three twin-engine piston-powered Training Class Piper Seminole aircraft to the UND Aerospace Foundation, which provides training and aircraft for the University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

The NTSB released its "Most Wanted" List for 2015, and two aviation items are among the issues on which the board will focus this year.

The first hearing of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 114th Congress focused on FAA reauthorization, and reforming and streamlining the regulatory certification processes, a key to helping the United States remain a global leader in aviation.

Less than a week before it was to take effect, the FAA pulled the SAFE-requested direct-to-final rule to allow pilots up to 20 simulator hours toward an instrument rating, citing “adverse comments.”  The unexpected January 15 move leaves pilots limited to the 10 simulator hours allowed by FAR 61.65.

The first hearing by the full House Transportation and Infrastructure committee for the 114th Congress was held to examine the process by which the FAA certifies new aircraft and other products.

February

The FAA’s proposed rule on regulation for commercial small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is a good first step, according to the EAA.

Quest Aircraft Company signed an agreement for its acquisition by Setouchi Holdings Inc., a member of Tsuneishi Group. Tsuneishi Group is a well-established global entity headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan with roots in the shipbuilding, transportation and related industries.

Pilots will meet in April in Narromine, located approximately 200 NM west of Sydney, Australia to establish the first chapter of the IMC Club International on that continent.

Nearly 120 flight school operators, chief flight instructors and industry partners attended the Sixth Annual Flight School Operators Conference presented by the Flight School Association of America (FSANA).

The NBAA called into question new moves to diminish access to Santa Monica Airport (KSMO), and pledged to continue fighting such efforts.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) introduced S. 571, the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR 2), legislation to expand the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots and broaden the protections provided in the original Pilot’s Bill of Rights authored by Inhofe and signed into law in 2012.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to confirm Christopher Hart as the next chairman of the NTSB. Hart has served as acting chair of the panel since the departure of Deborah Hersman last year.

March

Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate that would allow private pilots, in certain instances, to use a driver’s license in lieu of an FAA medical certificate.

Harrison Ford sustained moderate injuries when the the  airplane he was piloting ... which appears to be a PT-22 Recruit ...  went down on the Penmar golf course in Mar Vista, CA.

Despite a snowy start in Dallas, the 26th Annual Women in Aviation, International Conference (WAI) fulfilled its promise to “Connect. Engage. Inspire.” with three days jammed with activities.

After Andre Borschberg flew Solar Impulse 2 from Abu Dhabi to Muscat, Bertrand Piccard climbed back into the solar-powered airplane for the second leg of the journey. Fifteen hours later, he had crossed the Arabian Sea and landed in Ahmedabad, India, after covering about 932 miles.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Christopher Hart as the chair of the NTSB. The vote in the Senate was unanimous.

Rule-compliant Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment is now on board 10,000 aircraft flying in the United States, according to GAMA.

The NBAA cautioned the mayor and city council of Santa Monica, CA about the questionable legality of proposals that seek to limit the viability of Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) for aviation operations, as well as for businesses located on the airfield.

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) announced the U.S. winners of the 2015 International Aviation Art Contest. The winning original artwork with this year's theme of "World Air Games" will be forwarded to Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) in Lausanne, Switzerland to be included in the International judging in April.

April

The State of New York's General Assembly passed  has passed a "significant" tax reform measure that will exempt general aviation aircraft from the state's sales and use tax.

The NextGen GA Fund, along with partner Madison Capital, announced an expansion to its current funding capabilities for general and business aviation aircraft owners to address surging in demand for avionics financing.

The NTSB issued four Safety Alerts to general aviation pilots and mechanics highlighting safety issues identified in several recent accident investigations.

The NTSB released its preliminary report from an accident in Ft. Pierce, FL which fatally injured the commercial-rated pilot on board the airplane.

Piper Aircraft team member Technify Motors GmbH has received validation approval from the FAA for their EASA supplemental type certificate in support of the new diesel trainer option, the Archer DX.

FAA Certification was the topic of a hearing held by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, And Transportation Aviation Subcommittee.

Diamond Aircraft received EASA type certification for its newest twin engine aircraft, the DA62. EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky personally handed over the type certificate to Christian Dries, Diamond Aircraft CEO, at AERO Friedrichshafen on April 16.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) submitted formal comments to the FAA on the NPRM for FAR Part 107, which would regulate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

May

The gyrocopter being flown by Douglas Hughes from somewhere near Gettysburg, PA to the lawn of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC could not be be distinguished from a flock of birds, a kite, or other non-aircraft on radar, according to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.

The FAA selected Harris Corporation for an eight-year single-award IDIQ contract with a potential value of $238 million to design and implement a system that will disseminate real-time, comprehensive weather pictures to all aviation users across the National Airspace System (NAS).

It has all kind of led up to this. Solar Impulse 2 was getting set to begin its crossing of the Pacific Ocean from Nanjing, China.

The FAA planned to begin work on the next step in a multi-year effort to update the scientific evidence on the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and its effects on communities around airports.

The much reported Aeromobil flying car prototype went down during a test flight after its ballistic parachute was used to avert more significant damage when a test flight went awry.

Cessna stopped taking orders for its planned Cessna 182 JT-A diesel-powered aircraft, but an avgas-fueled version of the airplane is about to return to production.

The FAA proposed the elimination of 736 VOR and NDB approaches nationwide as it transitions to the NextGen air traffic control system. An NPRM posted in April identifies the procedures have been identified for cancellation.

Women in Aviation, International received a $10,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, which drives global corporate citizenship and philanthropic programs for UPS.

The NTSB issued a Safety Alert urging pilots to vigilantly look out for other aircraft and to make their own presence known.

June

The FAA made significant progress in improving runway safety at U.S. airports over the past 15 years by working with other members of the aviation community on education, training, marking and lighting, standard runway safety areas, new technology and airfield improvements.

Redbird Skyport stepped up in a number of ways to support rescue, victim treatment and cleanup for local relief efforts in the wake of devastating floods in Texas.

The FAA and general aviation (GA) groups launched the Fly Safe national safety campaign to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents this flying season.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America, League of Rural Voters, National Farmers Union, Air Care Alliance, and National Agricultural Aviation Association sent a letter to Congress concerning the upcoming FAA reauthorization. The letter specifically highlights the need to protect the interests of small airports and rural communities in the process, and urges Congress to retain oversight of the national aviation system.

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the AXTER Aerospace firm developed an electric propulsion system to install in small gasoline-powered planes for extra power and range in emergency situations. This new hybrid system could prevent 600 accidents a year, the researchers say.

The FAA is beginning to plan its transition to the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS) framework for certification of pilots, starting with the Private Pilot Airplane, Commercial Pilot Airplane, and Instrument Rating Airplane in the next 12 months.

The FAA, in partnership with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), initiated a safety reporting program called the Safety Review Process (SRP).  The 18-month pilot program, which is open to all bargaining-unit employees, allows FAA employees who work in the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) to elevate safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

Piper Aircraft delivered the first production diesel Archer DX into Europe. The airplane went to European Aircraft Sales in Denmark.

July

Solar Impulse 2 landed in Hawaii, after departing from Nagoya, Japan just shy of five days earlier.

FAI confirmed that Swiss Pilot André Borschberg superseded Steve Fossett’s 2005 duration performance by flying solo for more than 74 h 56 min 05 s above the Pacific Ocean on an airplane.

The leadership of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee cancelled its planned release of a draft of the FAA reauthorization bill on July 1. It appears that the bill now won't be shown to the public until sometime in August.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson welcomed Peter Neffenger Monday as the sixth administrator of the Transportation Security Administration in a ceremony held at TSA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

ANN received an email from Pipistrel USA Master Distributor Michael Coates saying that while the Pipistrel Alpha would not be the first electric airplane to cross the English Channel, neither would the Airbus E-Fan aircraft.

Elektra One Solar from the German company PC-Aero became the first solar/electric aircraft to successfully overfly the alps in both directions.

Some 150 workers at Piper's Vero Beach campus were laid off due to an industry-wide slowdown in airplane sales.

Despite the hard work of the Solar Impulse team to repair the batteries which overheated in the record breaking oceanic flight from Nagoya to Hawaii, the solar powered airplane of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will stay in Hawaii until early spring 2016.

Piper announced that it had signed a deal with Flight Safety for 26 airplanes at a news conference held at AirVenture.

Aspen Avionics announced that its integrated Evolution Angle of Attack (AOA) indicator has received FAA certification.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the IMC Club signed a letter of intent regarding EAA’s possible acquisition of the IMC program.

Continental Motors Group Ltd announced that the latest version of its Diesel CD-230 engine has received type certification from the FAA.

EAA, with the support of other GA organizations, held a news conference at AirVenture Saturday to respond to a letter from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) which urges the U.S. Senate to not support the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2.

August

Industry airplane shipments fell 9.1 percent to 1,015 units for the first half of the year, and airplane billings declined 4.6 percent to $10.4 billion, compared to the same period a year ago.

The Collings foundation reportedly reached an agreement with the Evergreen Museum in McMinnville, OR to purchase many of the assets of the museum and make it a viable entity going forward.

Two Chinese entities planned that country's first attempt to circumnavigate the globe using a piston airplane.

The NTSB  released its probable cause report from the accident which injured actor Harrison Ford in March. The board says a mechanical failure led to the total loss of engine power in Ford's airplane.

Five people were fatally injured in an accident involving a Sabreliner jet and a Cessna 172 which collided on approach to Brown Field Municipal Airport in San Diego, CA.

The effort to build a replica Bugatti 100P airplane reached a significant milestone with the first flight of the unique, art-deco airplane.

The NTSB released its preliminary report from an accident which occurred August 9th that fatally injured a private pilot, the only occupant of the airplane. The pilot had been sending text messages shortly before the accident, according to the board.

A report prepared by the FAA Inspector General's office indicates that total air traffic operations handled by FAA facilities declined 19 percent between 2004 and 2013, yet FAA’s operations budget increased slightly during that time.

September

It's an adventure that many of us have dreamed about: fly to all 48 contiguous United States. And before you say "but I'm too old to embark on such an adventure," consider this.

The NTSB announced a one-day forum to examine the problem of loss-of-control crashes in general aviation fixed-wing aircraft, and explore possible solutions.

Prior to a congressional hearing,  five well-known aviation organizations presented a prepared joint statement to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs with a message that monetary caps on flight training hurts veterans.

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) announced that his Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 (S.571) has surpassed 60 cosponsors in the Senate and continues to garner support from outside organizations.

After a six-month nationwide search, the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) selected veteran aviation educator Bill Moyle as the organization’s second Executive Director.

The Sling 2 airplane being flown around the world by Jean D'Assonville and Patrick Huang arrived safely back in South Africa, completing a circumnavigation that began in July.

The FAA earlier signed agreements with two international regulatory partners, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada (TCCA) that allow the authorities to rely on each other’s regulatory systems.

October

Speaking at the Flight Safety Foundation’s Newsmaker Breakfast at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced the next step in the FAA’s continuing evolution of working with those it regulates.

Aspen Avionics announced that it has been awarded a U.S. patent for its 'groundbreaking' Connected Panel wireless cockpit system.

A group of at least 10 local pilots from the Mojave, CA area were involved in a grass-roots airlift following massive mudslides in southern California assisting motorists who were stranded when Highway 58 was buried in mud.

A financial analyst says that Textron's piston and turboprop business may be headed for a slide, given reports from glass cockpit makers Garmin Aviation and Rockwell Collins.

November

The European Parliament adopted a resolution to enhance aviation safety and efficiency through global flight tracking systems.

The DOT Office of Inspector General initiated a follow-up audit on the FAA's progress with implementing high-priority Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) capabilities.

GAMA released its third quarter shipment and billing data for the general aviation manufacturing industry, and there was some pretty dismal news for some sectors, particularly piston and turboprop airplanes, and turbine rotorcraft.

EAA's Board of Directors named EAA Chairman Jack Pelton as Chief Executive Officer, adding the CEO title and responsibilities to the position Pelton has held with the organization since October 2012.

The freedom of backcountry flying is one of the most rewarding and pleasurable flying pursuits. Diamond is opening up new possibilities with the4 seat DA40 TUNDRA.

The FAA has posted the recommendations of its UAS Registration Task Force on its website, and the agency is digesting the document as it moves towards creating a final rule for registration of the aircraft.

December

A Cessna 172 which went down with four Case Western Reserve University college students on board was likely over its gross takeoff weight, according to a factual report from the NTSB.

The FAA authorized Terrafugia to operate small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the TF-X configuration for research and development (R&D) purposes.

EASA approved the use of Mogas (automotive fuel) for Tecnam's new P2010 airplanes.

Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS) sent a letter with six other members of Congress to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shaun Donovan, requesting an expeditious review of the FAA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for small airplane certification regulations.

Among the FAA's main priorities is to keep all users of our national airspace safe. To maintain the safest aerospace system in the world, the agency must make sure the national airspace is navigable and free of obstructions.

The FAA certified the Tecnam P2010, the first new single engine, high wing, four-seat aircraft from Tecnam.

The full United States Senate passed the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR2) on a unanimous vote. The bill, sponsored by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) bill had 70 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

The long awaited first flight of the M10T Proof of Concept (POC) aircraft took place on December 23rd in the vicinity of the Chino Airport in California. The first flight was performed by test pilot Len Fox.

FMI: www.aero-news.net