LoopNews

LAA AND BMAA TO MERGE

16/04/2008 23:00:00

THE Light Aircraft Association (LAA) and British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) are to begin work on merging the two organisations.

PIPERJET FIRES UP!

30/06/2008 23:00:00

THE all-new PiperJet has fired up its engine for the first time and is almost ready to fly.

FRIDAY THE 13TH!

02/07/2008 23:00:00

THE latest movie to go up on LOOP TV is scary alright - it shows the recent helicopter crash of LOOP helicopter columnist Dennis Kenyon.

SPITFIRE v RED BULL RACER

02/07/2008 23:00:00

PUBLICITY stunts come and go, but this one was a belter: Red Bull racer Paul Bonhomme in a WW2 Spitfire Mk9 v fellow racer Nigel Lamb in his modern MX2 aerobatic aircraft.

CIRRUS JET MAKES FIRST FLIGHT

03/07/2008 23:00:00

CIRRUS has flown its all-new single-engine jet for the first time.

LIBERTY BELLE B-17 FLIES TO UK

07/07/2008 23:00:00

THE famous 'Liberty Belle' WW2 B-17 bomber has made a historic transatlantic flight and is in the UK for a summer tour of air shows.

DIAMOND SNUBS THIELERT

09/07/2008 23:00:00

DIAMOND Aircraft has announced it will be not be bidding for bankrupt Thielert Aircraft Engines.

BRANSCOMBE NEEDS HELP

13/07/2008 23:00:00

HELP is needed by the owners of Branscombe Airfield to gain planning permission and keep the Devon air strip open.

HAMILTON RACES LEARJET

13/07/2008 23:00:00

F1 star Lewis Hamilton 'raced' a LearJet 60XR bizjet down the runway at the Farnborough Air Show today.

FIRST FLIGHT FOR ICON

14/07/2008 23:00:00

THE all-new ICON A5 light sport amphibious aircraft has made its first flight.

YEAR OF THE ELLIPSE

17/07/2008 23:00:00

Paris based LH Aviation, developer of the sleek Ellipse pusher, has recently moved to new larger premises and started a new phase of production.

BONHOMME WINS IN ROTTERDAM

18/07/2008 23:00:00

BRITAIN'S Paul Bonhomme won the Rotterdam round of the Red Bull World Air Race Series, increasing his lead in the championship.

HOMEBUILDER FLIES FROM ISRAEL TO OSHKOSH

22/07/2008 23:00:00

ISRAELI pilot Yair Gil has arrived at Oshkosh for this year's EAA AirVenture after an 5500-mile flight in his homebuilt Cozy.

CITY PERMITS OK

22/07/2008 23:00:00

AIRCRAFT operating on a Permit to Fly are now allowed to over-fly congested areas.

SPARKS FLY!

25/07/2008 23:00:00

AIRCRAFT makers are switching on to electric power! Sonex will be updating us on its E-Flight initiative at Oshkosh next week.

OSHKOSH OPENS - ECLIPSE BOSS SHOCK

27/07/2008 23:00:00

THE biggest aviation event in the world, the EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA opened today with a bombshell - Vern Raburn, founder and boss of Eclipse Aviation is to step down.

ICON WINGS WOW CROWDS AT OSHKOSH

28/07/2008 23:00:00

CALIFORNIA-based ICON Aircraft gave its new Light Sport amphibian, the A5, its public debut on the opening day of AirVenture - and wowed the crowds with a demonstration of its electrically operated folding wings.

GARMIN G1000 RETRO-FIT UPDATE

28/07/2008 23:00:00

On the first day of Oshkosh Garmin has thrown the gauntlet down by announcing the latest aircraft to be able to use the G1000 with SVT.

THE US FINALLY CATCHES UP

28/07/2008 23:00:00

US VFR charts are finally moving into the 21st century - thanks to Jeppesen.

THE CAR THAT THINKS IT'S A PLANE

29/07/2008 23:00:00

The plane that becomes a car makes Oshkosh debut.

PIPERJET FIRST FLIGHT

29/07/2008 23:00:00

THE PiperJet made its first flight at 11:11am today (Wednesday) – the first jet-powered aircraft in Piper’s 71-year history.

THOUSANDS SEE A VISION

31/07/2008 23:00:00

THE Cirrus Vision SJ50 jet made its world debut mid-week at AirVenture, flying in from the company HQ in Duluth, Minnesota.

MOONEY TURBINE ROLLS IN

31/07/2008 23:00:00

MOONEY and Rolls-Royce have announced a tie-up to put the new RR500 turbine engine – announced at AirVenture – into the Texas maker’s four-seat aircraft.

BONHOMME BLOWS LONDON

02/08/2008 23:00:00

BRITAIN'S Paul Bonhomme hit an air gate and failed to get into the finals of Sunday's London round of the Red Bull World Air Race Series. American Kirby Chambliss won the race.

ELECTRIC POWER AWARD

05/08/2008 23:00:00

THE creator of the ElectraFlyer, American Randall Fishman, has won an award for his pioneer work in creating flying electric aircraft.

BRONZE FOR TEAM GB

16/08/2008 23:00:00

The British team at the World Helicopter Championships put in a fantastic performance on the last day to beat the Austrians into third place.

GROB BANKRUPT

18/08/2008 23:00:00

GERMAN aerospace manufacturer Grob has filed for insolvency.

JETMAN READY FOR CHANNEL FLIGHT

20/08/2008 23:00:00

JETMAN Yves Rossy has completed a milestone test flight as he prepares to fly across the English Channel.

HANNES ARCH TAKES FIRST RED BULL WIN

22/08/2008 23:00:00

AUSTRIAN ace Hannes Arch won the Red Bull Air Race in Budapest this week, claiming his first-ever victory.

AMERICANS SET NEW HELO ROUND THE WORLD RECORD

24/08/2008 23:00:00

AMERICAN pilots Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik have succeeded in flying around the world in a helicopter in only 11 days 7 hours and 2 minutes - setting a new world speed record.

ONE MONTH TO NEW MAINTENANCE REGS

26/08/2008 23:00:00

THE new Euro Part-M maintenance standards WILL come in on 28 September 2008, the CAA has announced.

FIRST FLIGHT FOR X2 CHOPPER

27/08/2008 23:00:00

SIKORSKY'S radical X2 helicopter prototype has had its maiden flight.

ARCH WINS IN PORTUGAL

06/09/2008 23:00:00

AUSTRIA'S Hannes Arch has won the Portugese round of the Red Bull World Air Race Series - and also takes the lead in the championship from Britain's Paul Bonhomme.

SLOWDOWN HITS CIRRUS

07/09/2008 23:00:00

CIRRUS has laid off approximately 100 workers as the credit crunch continues to hurt the worldwide economy.

ROBIN AND CAP HIT BY THIELERT PROBLEMS

11/09/2008 23:00:00

THE FRENCH manufacturer of Robin and CAP aircraft has run into cash-flow difficulties and looks likely to go into liquidation.

ECLIPSE 500 CLEARED

12/09/2008 23:00:00

THE Eclipse 500 jet has been deemed OK after a special 30-day investigation into its original type certification.

PRINCE WILLIAM JOINS SEARCH AND RESCUE

14/09/2008 23:00:00

PRINCE William is to train to become a full-time pilot with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force.

MAZDA SPONSORS 2009 WORLD AEROS AT SILVERSTONE

16/09/2008 23:00:00

CAR company Mazda is to sponsor the World Aerobatic Championships to be held at Silverstone next year.

CESSNA SKYCATCHER PROTOTYPE CRASHES

18/09/2008 23:00:00

TEST flying of Cessna's new light sport aircraft, the 162 SkyCatcher, was halted yesterday when one of the prototypes crashed.

WARNING OVER ELT FREQUENCY

21/09/2008 23:00:00

THE CAA has issued a reminder that Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) must be operating on the new frequency of 406MHz by February 2009.

TOM IS THE UK CHAMP

21/09/2008 23:00:00

YORKSHIRE'S Tom Cassells is the new British Unlimited Aerobatic Champion after a hard-fought battle with arch-rival Mark Jefferies.

FIRST FLIGHT FOR PREZ ONE

22/09/2008 23:00:00

THE special helicopter being built for the US President by AgustaWestland in Yeovil, UK, had its maiden flight yesterday.

ECLIPSKI!

23/09/2008 23:00:00

THE Eclipse EA-500 Very Light Jet is to be assembled in a Russian factory built using finance supplied by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

FARNBOROUGH F1 DREAM OVER

25/09/2008 23:00:00

THE dream of a British-designed and built turboprop aircraft is on its last legs - the company behind the Farnborough F1 Kestrel has gone into administration.

JETMAN FLIES ENGLISH CHANNEL

26/09/2008 23:00:00

'JETMAN' Yves Rossy successfully has successfully flown the English Channel with his homemade, four-engine, jet-powered wing.

SHOREHAM GETS GPS APPROACH

28/09/2008 23:00:00

GPS approaches have arrived in the UK at last! Well, one at least - at Shoreham Airport from 20 November.

WIN SOME, LOSE SOME ON TAX

29/09/2008 23:00:00

THE fuel duty rate on avgas will NOT rise, the Inland Revenue has told AOPA. However, the duty on avtur (also known as Jet-A1 or diesel) will go up substantially for private flights.

AOPA PREPARES FOR IMC BATTLE

29/09/2008 23:00:00

AN online survey of pilots and their attitude to the IMC Rating is part of AOPA's battle to save the UK-only Rating.

HELO WORLD RECORD CONFIRMED

02/10/2008 23:00:00

THE absolute world speed record for flying around the world in a helicopter set by Americans Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik in August has been ratified by the FAI, the world aviation sport authority.

NEWS FROM NBAA 2008

11/10/2008 23:00:00

New Gulfstream G250... Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350i turboprop twin and 450XP jet... PiperJet debut... at NBAA's annual show in Orlando, Florida USA.

NEW LIFE FOR EUROPA

12/10/2008 23:00:00

Europa Aircraft has been bought out in a move which should see new investment and big plans for the popular British kit aircraft.

IT'S GOOD NEWS WEEK!

12/10/2008 23:00:00

KNOW anyone who has demonstrated good airmanship and possibly saved the day in a difficult situation? Well, tell the CAA - the aviation authority has just has opened nominations for its General Aviation Safety Awards for 2008.

NO ARMS NO PROBLEM

14/10/2008 23:00:00

A YOUNG woman born without arms has just earned her Private Pilot’s Licence. On 10 October, 25-year-old Jessica Cox passed her flight test and is now licensed to fly.

TRAINING EXCLUDED FROM AVTUR PRICE RISE

17/10/2008 23:00:00

THE huge rise in duty on Avtur coming in on 1 November will NOT apply to fuel used for flight training, HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed.

RE-REGISTRATION PAGE GLITCH

20/10/2008 23:00:00

If you have tried to re-register and take part in the LOOP Aviation Survey, you will have found the page is experiencing technical difficulties.

GOOD NEWS FROM THIELERT

22/10/2008 23:00:00

RUNNING costs for operators of Thielert turbodiesel aero engines are being reduced, and parts life extended.

SAY AGAIN DRIVER

23/10/2008 23:00:00

JUST what do you say if you're a worker on an airfield and the Tower wants to tell you about a large flock of birds? Flap no more - the CAA has just issued an interactive R/T guide for airfield drivers.

PRINCE HARRY TO FLY HELICOPTERS

27/10/2008 00:00:00

THE Royal Family’s links with flying continue – Prince Harry has volunteered to be a helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps.

BIG CHANGES FOR AUSSIE PILOTS

29/10/2008 00:00:00

AUSSIE pilots could have 750kg weight limit for light sport aircraft in place soon, as part of a series of radical changes being proposed.

FLYING THE NEW SHOREHAM GPS APPROACH

29/10/2008 00:00:00

LOOP writer Phil O'Donaghue examines the first GPS approach at a GA airport in the UK.

GARMIN'S NEW 695

30/10/2008 00:00:00

GARMIN launched a brand new product today, the large-screen GPSMAP 695.

WORLD FIRST TEST OF THE GARMIN 695

30/10/2008 00:00:00

LOOP’s testing expert Phil O'Donoghue gets the world’s first full look at the Garmin 695.

TEMPELHOF CLOSES

31/10/2008 00:00:00

THE famous and historic Tempelhof Airport in Berlin closed yesterday – after nearly 100 years of aviation at the site.

INTERNATIONAL AOPA RESPONDS TO EURO PLANS

31/10/2008 00:00:00

IAOPA, the European branch of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association, says “there’s a lot of good” in the Euro plans for flight crew licensing – but also the “truly dreadful”.

ARCH WINS RED BULL CHAMPIONSHIP

01/11/2008 00:00:00

AUSTRIA’S Hannes Arch clinched the 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Championship today with a dazzling first place finish in Qualifying for Sunday’s season finale in Perth that guarantees him at least eighth place and the minimum of one point he needs.

FINAL WIN FOR BONHOMME

02/11/2008 00:00:00

BRITAIN'S Paul Bonhomme won the final race of the 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Perth today in style, defeating compatriot Nigel Lamb in a thrilling final over the Swan River in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 200,000 spectators.

GREEN FLIGHT AT 2009 AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN

04/11/2008 00:00:00

NEXT year's AERO event at Friedrichshafen, Germany will include a 'show within a show' for electric powered aircraft.

SOCATA SOLD – NEW BIZJET PLANNED

05/11/2008 00:00:00

SOCATA has been sold by EADS to aerospace supplier Daher - and the new venture is planning to develop a twin-engine business jet.

“SEE” IN THE DARK WITH CIRRUS

06/11/2008 00:00:00

CIRRUS has brought the latest kit from top-class business jets to piston aircraft – an Enhanced Vision System that can “see” in the dark and through murky conditions.

UK RADIO TAX CONDEMNED

06/11/2008 00:00:00

THE worldwide aviation industry has condemned the British government’s attempts to “tax” radio frequencies as a thinly disguised “con” to raise revenue.

BLIND PILOT SAVED BY RAF

07/11/2008 00:00:00

A pilot who went blind while flying his Cessna was guided to a safe landing by the RAF.

HAVE A CESSNA 400, NO NEED TO BUY

07/11/2008 00:00:00

ORDERING a Cessna Mustang but need to fly now? Have a 400 for now, says Cessna.

FLYING CAR ALMOST READY

11/11/2008 00:00:00

THE Terrafugia Transition flying car launched at Oshkosh last August is almost ready to make its first flight.

NEW BLOOD IN 2009 RED BULL RACES

19/11/2008 00:00:00

FOUR new pilots will join the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009, the largest crop of rookies ever.

GOOD NEWS FOR BICESTER AIRFIELD

19/11/2008 00:00:00

PROPOSALS to protect the historic RAF Bicester site from housing development have been agreed by members of Cherwell District Council.

RISKY NEAR-MISSES DOWN

20/11/2008 00:00:00

THE level of “risky” airproxes involved General Aviation aircraft is at its lowest level for a decade, according to the annual report of the Airprox Board.

BRITS PLAN FLYING CAR OVER SAHARA

20/11/2008 00:00:00

A BRITISH company is planning a spectacular debut for its “flying car”, the Parajet Skycar.

UK COMMERCIAL TRAINING

25/11/2008 00:00:00

LOOKING to get into commercial flying?

ECLIPSE BANKRUPT

25/11/2008 00:00:00

ECLIPSE Aviation, maker of the EA500 Very Light jet, has filed for bankruptcy.

US WOMEN IN WORLD RECORD BID

26/11/2008 00:00:00

TWO American women pilots are about to make an attempt on the round-the-world speed record.

RARE CLASSIC UP FOR SALE

27/11/2008 00:00:00

A RARE and totally restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor that survived the Pearl Harbour attack comes up for sale at an auction next month.

NEW TRIG MODE S TRANSPONDER

27/11/2008 00:00:00

Trig Avionics revealed its newest Mode-S transponder today (Thursday 27 November), and it’s light!

NEWQUAY AIRPORT CLOSES TEMPORARILY

27/11/2008 00:00:00

DELAYS in the construction and fitting out of a new Air Traffic Control tower have been blamed for Newquay Airport having to close to commercial air traffic from 1 December.

NEW RALLY FOR SSDRs

28/11/2008 00:00:00

AS the annual Sports and Leisure Aviation Show opens this weekend, the British Microlight Aircraft Association has announced an Ultralight Single Seat Rally to encourage the use of sub-115kg and foot-launched aircraft.

GLIDER PILOTS UNDER A CLOUD

01/12/2008 00:00:00

GLIDER pilots are uniting across Europe to try and get new EASA proposals regarding licensing and cloud flying changed.

FASTEST MICROLIGHT GOES TOP-LESS AT SPLASH

01/12/2008 00:00:00

THE fastest, most advanced weight-shift microlight in the world had its public debut at the weekend’s Sports and Leisure Aviation Show (SPLASH). A brand new fully-enclosed autogyro was also shown for the first time.

LUSCOMBE STARS IN LATEST LAA MAG

02/12/2008 00:00:00

THE latest edition of Light Aviation, the monthly magazine of the Light Aircraft Association, is out now and has a classic 1946 Luscombe Silvaire 8E as the cover story.

WORLD RALLY AFFECTS WELSH AIRSPACE

04/12/2008 00:00:00

VARIOUS areas of Welsh airspace will be restricted from 5 to 7 December as the World Rally Championship arrives in Wales.

CAMBRIDGE UPGRADES BIZAV FACILITIES

05/12/2008 00:00:00

CAMBRIDGE Airport has a new name and a new business aviation centre.

WIN-WIN AT LEE-ON-SOLENT AIRFIELD

06/12/2008 00:00:00

GOOD NEWS! Aviation is at the heart of the latest development plan for Lee-On-Solent Airfield.

MIRACLE RESCUE FROM ARCTIC ICE

11/12/2008 00:00:00

TWO men have had a miraculous rescue from floating ice after the aircraft they were flying ditched in Arctic waters.

TOUGH CHRISTMAS FOR ROBIN

14/12/2008 00:00:00

OPERATORS of Robin aircraft are facing the possibility of aircraft being grounded by the end of December as the French company, already in financial trouble, faces complete closure.

ROBIN SON TO THE RESCUE

15/12/2008 00:00:00

FAMILY values! Christophe Robin, son of Pierre Robin, founder of Robin Aircraft, has offered to take on technical support of aeroplanes produced by his father’s company.

THE LOOP TV SHOW NOW ON!

20/12/2008 00:00:00

Watch the first LOOP TV monthly show! Click on the arrow on the LOOP TV panel.

PLANNING SUCCESS FOR BRANSCOMBE

28/12/2008 00:00:00

BRANSCOMBE Airfield has been given the thumbs up by local councillors. The Devon airstrip now has the planning permission it needed to keep operating.

CESSNA STAYS ON COURSE

15/01/2009 00:00:00

CESSNA is continuing to develop three key new aircraft as it battles to beat the recession. The 162 SkyCatcher light sport aircraft is one, along with with two bizjets.

DEBUT FOR CESSNA'S TWO CORVALIS MODELS

16/01/2009 00:00:00

Cessna has introduced the 350 Corvalis and 400 Corvalis TT during the company’s annual sales meeting.

GARMIN G3X FOR HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT

22/01/2009 00:00:00

JUST announced are Garmin's two new Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS - also known as glass cockpits) for Permit aircraft (homebuilts, Light Sport, certain classics and microlights).

MPs TOLD AVIATION IS GOOD FOR UK

28/01/2009 00:00:00

MPs have been told to stop "talking down" aviation by the UK aerospace industry.

DIAMOND’S NEW DIESEL CERTIFIED

28/01/2009 00:00:00

DIAMOND Aircraft has received EASA type certification for its new Austro AE300 turbo-diesel aero engine – after spending 48 million euro!

GERMAN SHOW SET TO BREAK RECORDS

02/02/2009 00:00:00

NO sign of recession at AERO Friedrichshafen! Bookings for Europe's biggest show are up 20%, say the organisers.

GROB AIRCRAFT SAVED

02/02/2009 00:00:00

THE light aircraft side of bankrupt Grob Aerospace has been saved. The new owner, H3 Aerospace, plans to restart production soon.

LONDON OUT OF RED BULL SERIES

03/02/2009 00:00:00

LONDON and the UK have been left out of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship in a slimmed down series.

NEW BRITISH LIGHT AIRCRAFT COMPANY

09/02/2009 00:00:00

A NEW company has been formed in Cambridge, UK to develop and sell the innovative e-Go light aircraft.

ICON COMPLETES FIRST FLIGHT TESTS

10/02/2009 00:00:00

THE amphibious ICON A5 aircraft being developed in California has completed Phase I Flight Testing.

CESSNA OR BELL UP FOR SALE

10/02/2009 00:00:00

Textron, the umbrella company which owns both Bell Helicopter and Cessna Aircraft may have to sell one of them within the next year to raise cash, Chief Executive Officer Lewis Campbell told an investment group this week.

McRAE'S LICENCE HAD EXPIRED

12/02/2009 00:00:00

RALLY driver Colin McRae did not have a valid pilot's licence when he crashed his helicopter near his home in Scotland in September 2007, according to the AAIB report just released.

ON LOOP TV NOW!

16/02/2009 00:00:00

WATCH it now! The latest edition of the LOOP TV show is available now and stars aeros ace Alan Cassidy and round the world helo pilot Jennifer Murray.

RECESSION HITS GA - OFFICIAL

18/02/2009 00:00:00

THE credit crunch has officially hit general aviation according to figures issued yesterday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. GAMA announced worldwide shipments of GA aircraft in 2008 decreased for the first time in five years.

FLY TO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN SHOW

24/02/2009 00:00:00

PILOTS plannng to fly their own aircraft into Bodensee-Airport to attend AERO Friedrichshafen 2009 from 2-5 April will require prior permission (PPR).

ROBINSON SHOWS OFF THE R66

26/02/2009 00:00:00

ROBINSON Helicopters has given its new turbine powered R66 helicopter its public debut. LOOP was at the factory party for the five-seater's world launch and has the first video of the aircraft.

GA IS EYES AND EARS OF THE POLICE

04/03/2009 00:00:00

GENERAL and business aviation should become "the eyes and ears" of the police and other agencies when it comes to protecting the UK from possible terrorism and other security breaches, said Lord Carlile yesterday.

LAA RALLY SCALED DOWN

10/03/2009 00:00:00

THE proposed relaunch of the annual Rally and Fly-in of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) is to be scaled down because of the current economic climate.

AVOID THE RED ARROWS!

10/03/2009 00:00:00

THE Red Arrows will be out practising display routines over the next few days and various Restricted Areas (Temporary) will be established.

BID FOR AEROS FLIGHT FOR RED NOSE DAY

12/03/2009 00:00:00

FLY a Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft with world land speed record holder Andy Green as your instructor! That's one of the amazing auctions taking place online for Red Nose Day.

NEW ATS GOES LIVE TODAY

12/03/2009 00:00:00

THE new Air Traffic Control Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS) went live throughout the UK today (12 March 2009), with both military and civilian air traffic control units providing the services.

FLYING CAR FLIES!

18/03/2009 00:00:00

THE Terrafugia flying car has made its maiden flight successfully. Video available!

LATEST LOOP TV SHOW LIVE

20/03/2009 00:00:00

THE latest edition of the LOOP TV show is live at www.loopTV.aero It's a special edition featuring all the stars of the recent Heli-Expo in the US.

HUDSON HERO PILOTS AT OSHKOSH

29/03/2009 23:00:00

THE pilots from US Airways Flight 1549, involved in one of the most riveting aviation events in recent years, will share their experiences at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, held at Oshkosh, USA on 27 July 27 - 2 August.

DIAMOND UPBEAT AS AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN OPENS

02/04/2009 23:00:00

THE brand new Austro AE300m turbodiesel engine developed by Diamond Aircraft is spearheading the Austrian company's fight to survive in the current worldwide recession. On the opening day of the AERO 2009 Show held at Friedrichshafen, Germany, Diamond showed off three new aircraft equipped with the 168hp Mercedes-based engine.

EASA DELAYS AFFECT TECNAM’S LATEST

02/04/2009 23:00:00

CONFUSION and delay by EASA over the new European Light Aircraft airworthiness proposals is delaying the progress of Tecnam's newest aircraft, the P2008. The sleek and stylish Italian aircraft will be flying this summer and is aimed at both the US Light Sport Aircraft and European Ultralight classes.

FLIGHT DESIGN LAUNCHES GREEN HYBRID

02/04/2009 23:00:00

GERMAN Light Sport Aircraft manufacturer Flight Design today unveiled its hybrid engine concept, which combines a piston engine with a 40hp electric motor, at AERO 2009 being held at Friedrichshafen, Germany.

THIELERT BOUNCES BACK

03/04/2009 23:00:00

INSOLVENT Thielert has been re-created as a new company called Centurion Aircraft Engines. The announcement was made at AERO 2009, on now at Friedrichshafen, Germany.

SYNCRO LAUNCHED AT AERO

03/04/2009 23:00:00

ITALIAN company FlySynthesis yesterday launched a brand new aircraft at AERO 2009 - the Syncro. The aircraft is a funky shaped two-seat high-wing Light Sport Aircraft which will also be available as a microlight.

HUGE SUCCESS FOR AERO 2009

03/04/2009 23:00:00

TAKE a photo tour of AERO 2009, Europe's leading General Aviation show, held in Friedrichshafen, Germany last week. The organisers say there were 625 exhibitors, 12% up on the previous show, and 46,400 visitors.

ALL CHANGE FOR SPORTCRUISER

04/04/2009 23:00:00

THERE is a complete change of management at Czech Air Works which produces the popular SportCruiser two-seat, metal, Light Sport Aircraft.

BOSS HAS FIRST FLIGHT IN ICON AMPHIB

06/04/2009 23:00:00

KIRK Hawkins, founder and CEO of ICON Aircraft, had his first flight in the prototype A5 recently: "Wow! This thing rocks!" was his instant reaction!

CAA SUPPORTS EURO LICENCE

06/04/2009 23:00:00

THE UK CAA says it "strongly supports the proposed Leisure Pilot Licence and associated Medical Certifications" as proposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

FOUR-SEAT FACTORY AIRCRAFT FROM DYN AERO

06/04/2009 23:00:00

THE four-seat Dyn Aero MCR4S kitplane is to go into production as a factory-built, ready-to-fly aircraft.

LEARN TO FLY A HELO - FREE

07/04/2009 23:00:00

WOULD you like to learn to fly a helicopter? Are you looking for a career in aviation? Are you aged between 18 and 23, a British national, and healthy enough to pass a Class 1 medical? If you answer yes to all these questions, you are eligible to apply for the 2009 Dennis Kenyon Helicopter Scholarship. Apply now!

LOOPTV SHOW NOW ON

13/04/2009 23:00:00

SPRING has well and truly arrived so it's time for another LOOPTV Show - and as ever we have a packed line-up for you!

ARCH BEATS BONHOMME IN RBR OPENER

14/04/2009 23:00:00

Hannes Arch of Austria came from behind to win the first Red Bull Air Race World Championship race of the year in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

CESSNA BIZJET LANDS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

25/04/2009 23:00:00

A Cessna Citation XLS landed and took off earlier this year at Qamdo Bangda Airport in Tibet, demonstrating the aircraft's capability to operate at the world's highest airport at 14,219 feet.

CESSNA TAKES TOUGH DECISIONS

29/04/2009 23:00:00

CESSNA is taking radical steps to save money during the recession. First, it is to close the former Columbia factory in Oregon where the 350 and 400 Corvalis aircraft are built. Second, it is suspending development of its new Columbus bizjet.

PIPER AIRCRAFT SOLD

03/05/2009 23:00:00

PIPER Aircraft has changed ownership. The new owner is Imprimis, a corporate finance and investment management firm that operates the Middle and Far East in Bangkok.

IVANOFF VICTORIOUS IN SECOND ROUND OF RBAR

10/05/2009 23:00:00

Nicolas Ivanoff of France took the spoils in San Diego yesterday after current champion Hannes Arch suffered a bird strike in the finals that tore a football-sized whole in the back of his aircraft and set him in third.

FIRST FEMALE PILOT TO JOIN RED ARROWS

12/05/2009 23:00:00

A FEMALE pilot is one of two candidates selected to join the world famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, for the 2010 display season.

NEW AMPHIBIAN FLIES

13/05/2009 23:00:00

A NEW twin-engine amphibian loosely based on the famous Grumman Widgeon has made its first flight.

GA PREPARES FOR LONDON OLYMPICS

13/05/2009 23:00:00

THE CAA has started to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics, and wants the aviation industry to get involved.

UK BEATS US IN ROCKET CONTEST

19/05/2009 23:00:00

STUDENT rocketeers from Romford, Essex have beaten a US team to win the Second Annual Transatlantic Rocket Fly-Off.

TWO-PART SPECIAL LOOP TV SHOW NOW LIVE

19/05/2009 23:00:00

SEE new aircraft and products on show at last month's AERO Friedrichshafen on LOOP TV. The latest two-part LOOP Show is now live at www.loopTV.aero

HENSHAW'S RECORD BEATEN

21/05/2009 23:00:00

ALEX Henshaw's 70-year-old speed record flying London-Cape Town-London has finally been broken. South African pilot Chalkie Stobbart slashed 18 hours 59 minutes off the record, flying his homebuilt single engine aircraft.

RED ARROWS DATES PUBLISHED

26/05/2009 23:00:00

THIS summer’s aerobatic displays by the Red Arrows throughout the UK, and the resulting temporary airspace restrictions, have been published by the CAA in an effort to avoid pilots 'busting' the events.

BOOK DEAL FOR LOOP READERS

09/06/2009 23:00:00

IF you've not read Bob Davy's book, In Case of War Break Glass, set in WW2, here's a great chance to get it at a bargain price.

GOLD FOR BRITS IN WORLD AIR GAMES

09/06/2009 23:00:00

THE British Microlight Team has won Gold and Silver Medals at the 2009 World Air Games being held in Turin this week.

BONHOMME WINS RED BULL RACE IN CANADA

14/06/2009 23:00:00

PAUL Bonhomme is now just one point behind series leader Hannes Arch in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship after a thrilling win in Canada at the weekend. The LOOP columnist beat Arch into second place.

ITALY TOPS WORLD GAMES MEDALS

18/06/2009 23:00:00

The FAI World Air Games being held in Turin this month have now drawn to a close. The home nation, Italy, topped the medals table, with France second and Russia third. The UK was 8th.

SKYSPARK SETS SPEED RECORD

18/06/2009 23:00:00

AN Italian team has set a new world speed record for an electric-powered aircraft. A Pioneer 300 powered by a 75kW electric motor has reached 250km/h (135kt).

CHINESE LAUNCH ELECTRIC PLANE

23/06/2009 23:00:00

AN electric aircraft designed and built in China has taken to the air. The E430, designed and built by a company called Yuneec International, has made two series of short flights and is now on its way to the EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh.

'SULLY' AND 'JETMAN' AT THE PALACE

24/06/2009 23:00:00

HUDSON River hero Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger and 'Jetman' Yves Rossy were at Buckingham Palace earlier this month to collect awards from the UK's Air League, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

BELL CERTIFIES LATEST 429 HELICOPTER

01/07/2009 23:00:00

Bell Helicopter has just announced the certification of its newest light twin engine helicopter, the 429. First deliveries are scheduled to begin this month.

CAA: FINAL DECISION ON MODE S

01/07/2009 23:00:00

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published its final decision on proposals for a second phase of expansion in the use of Mode S transponders in UK airspace.

DOWNDRAUGHTS KILLED STEVE FOSSETT

09/07/2009 23:00:00

AN inadvertent encounter with downdraughts was the probable cause of the aircraft crash that killed adventurer Steve Fossett.

HELICOPTER OWNERS URGED TO FIGHT EASA PROPOSALS

14/07/2009 23:00:00

HELICOPTER owners are being urged to comment on new Euro proposals for mandatory floats over water, automatic ELTs and night flight restrictions. Act now! The deadline is 31 July.

BRITAIN TOP AT EURO GLIDERS

14/07/2009 23:00:00

BRITAIN won the Team Cup at the recent European Gliding Championships and also took 1st place in two of the three classes. Pete Harvey, pictured right, head of the UK's Light Aircraft Association, won the Open Class and Russell Cheetham took the 18m Class.

CHECK BEFORE YOU FLY TO BLERIOT FUN

20/07/2009 23:00:00

THINKING about joining in the Bleriot Centenary celebrations this weekend? Well, there are temporary airspace restrictions in place around the Dover and Channel area - including on the French side. Check before flying.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR AERO CHAMPS

24/07/2009 23:00:00

TICKETS have gone on sale for the FAI World Aerobatic Championship, being staged at Silverstone motor racing circuit on 17-29 August 2009.

STANSTED TMZs APPROVED

24/07/2009 23:00:00

'TMZ' is a new trem for UK flyers to get used to. It stands for Transponder Mandatory Zones and one is to be established around Stansted Airport from 24 September 2009.

UNLEADED AVGAS FOR CONTINENTAL ENGINE

26/07/2009 23:00:00

TELEDYNE Continental Motors (TCM) is introducing a range of aero engines certified to operate on unleaded avgas. It was one of the first announcements at the EAA AirVenture aviation show at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA which runs from 27 July to 2 August.

CARTER AUTOGYRO UNVEILED

26/07/2009 23:00:00

THE first prototype of a new range of two and four-place Personal Air Vehicles (PAV) using a combination of autogyro and fixed-wing aircraft technology was unveiled at the EAA AirVenture today (Sunday, 26 July).

HONEYWELL LAUNCHES ACE GPS

26/07/2009 23:00:00

HONEYWELL has launched a new GPS system, the AV8OR ACE, a new seven-inch touch screen handheld, at the EAA AirVenture show.

VIRGIN EVE ARRIVES AT OSHKOSH

27/07/2009 23:00:00

EVE, the mothership of the Virgin Galactic space program, landed at Oshkosh Airport today and went on display at the EAA AirVenture show currently taking place.

WILKSCH DIESEL IN LIBERTY XL2

27/07/2009 23:00:00

LIBERTY may become the first manufacturer to use the Wilksch WAM120 turbodiesel aero engine in a factory-built certified aircraft.

NEW GARMIN EFIS

27/07/2009 23:00:00

GARMIN has launched a new electronic flight information system called the G500, at the EAA AirVenture.

OK FOR CESSNA SKYCATCHER

27/07/2009 23:00:00

CESSNA will start deliveries of its new 162 SkyCatcher Light Sport Aircraft by the end of the year.

ELECTRIC PLANE TO GO ON SALE

28/07/2009 23:00:00

THE electric-powered Yuneec E430 will go into production in a brand new factory later this year and go on sale around the world in early 2010 costing around $89,000, the Shanghai, China-based company announced at the EAA AirVenture.

ASPEN LAUNCHES NEW PFD FOR HELOS

28/07/2009 23:00:00

HELICOPTER operators have another possible choice of glass cockpit - the Evolution Flight Display System from Aspen Avionics. The US company announced at the EAA AirVenture its first offering for the rotary market – the EFD1000H Pro Helicopter PFD.

A JET FOR £30K

28/07/2009 23:00:00

MOST pilots would love to fly a jet... and US kitplane manufacturer Sonex could be making that dream a reality. The company showed off a single-seat jet-powered aircraft at EAA AirVenture priced at "well under $50,000".

ROTORWAY LAUNCHES TWO-SEAT TURBINE HELO

29/07/2009 23:00:00

KIT manufacturer Rotorway has launched its first helicopter to be sold only as a type-certificated aircraft – a turbine-powered two-seater called the Eagle 300T.

LOPRESTI FURY INTO PRODUCTION

30/07/2009 23:00:00

IT'S taken almost 20 years but the LoPresti Fury is finally going into production.

FIRST FLIGHT FOR NEW BIPLANE

02/08/2009 23:00:00

THE first of the new generation Sherwood Ranger kitplanes had its first flight recently.

CAA GUIDANCE ON LSAs

09/08/2009 23:00:00

LIGHT Sport Aircraft currently being sold with a temporary EASA Permit to Fly are restricted in their use, according to guidance just issued by the UK CAA.

WAC KICKS OFF AT SILVERSTONE

19/08/2009 23:00:00

After a 23-year absence the World Aerobatic Championship has returned to British soil and it promises to be the best event so far in the competitions 49-year history.

GOULIAN BREAKS HIS DUCK AND BONHOMME GOES TOP

19/08/2009 23:00:00

AMERICAN Mike Goulian took his first win of the 2009 RBAR series with a thrilling flight over the Danube in Hungary earlier today.

FRANCE TOP AT WORLD AEROS

27/08/2009 23:00:00

FRENCHMAN Renaud Ecalle has won the 2009 World Aerobatic Championship, held at Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit over the last two weeks. France won the Team Award, and Ecalle also took the final Freestyle event

SUCCESS FOR SYWELL REVIVAL

07/09/2009 23:00:00

AROUND 500 aircraft flew into the Sywell Revival Rally last weekend to make the joint Sywell Aerodrome and Light Aircraft Association event a total success.

BRITISH WOMEN SET BALLOON RECORD

07/09/2009 23:00:00

BRITISH pilots Janet Folkes and Ann-Ruth Rich have broken the women's world record for hours flown in a gas balloon. They are competing in the Gorden Bennett Coupe event which started in Switzerland on Sunday.

FRENCH PILOTS WIN GORDON BENNETT

08/09/2009 23:00:00

THE French team of Sébastien Rolland and Vincent Leys have won the Gordon Bennett Coupe race for gas balloons, flying 1,587km in just over 85 hours non-stop.

BONHOMME WINS AGAIN, EXTENDS LEAD

13/09/2009 23:00:00

Britain's Paul Bonhomme won a thrilling Red Bull Air Race at the weekend in front of a record-breaking crowd of 720,000 in Porto to widen his lead to 4 points over defending champion Hannes Arch of Austria.

PIPER EYES UP SPORTCRUISER

14/09/2009 23:00:00

If you have your heart set on the beautiful Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser, but hanker for the service network of a giant US manufacturer, your prayers might be about to be answered.

FIRST FLIGHT FOR UPGRADED LYNX

15/09/2009 23:00:00

THE British Army's first Lynx AH Mk.9A fitted with more powerful CTS800 engines, has had its first flight just 10 months after contract award.

BID FOR JETPACK FLIGHT ON EBAY

16/09/2009 23:00:00

LIKE to fly the Martin Jetpack first seen at last year's Oshkosh? Glenn Martin, inventor of the Jetpack, is offering flights in an ebay auction.

CHINESE CESSNA SKYCATCHER FLIES

17/09/2009 23:00:00

THE first Cessna Skycatcher made at the Shenyang factory in China made its first flight yesterday (Thursday, 17 Sept).

FLYING FREEDOM FOR FERRETS

28/09/2009 23:00:00

FERRET owners rejoice! You can now take your pet abroad by air and bring it home via Oxford! Oh, and dogs and cats can do the same too.

BONHOMME WINS RED BULL TITLE

04/10/2009 23:00:00

BRITAIN'S Paul Bonhomme won the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Sunday with a thrilling victory in the final race of the season.

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING

06/10/2009 23:00:00

THE first Russian helicopter for general civilian use has been certified for sales in Europe. Up til now, Russian helicopters have been restricted to state and military operations in Europe.

ACT NOW TO EXPLOIT DANISH VAT LOOPHOLE

27/10/2009 00:00:00

THE loophole which allows aircraft to be imported into the European Union VAT-free via Denmark will close on 31 December this year.

MOVIE STARS FOR SALE

27/10/2009 00:00:00

A PAIR of vintage WW2 aircraft carefully restored to star in a movie have been put up for sale.

HUGE PIPER AD PROPOSED

01/11/2009 00:00:00

A VITAL Airworthiness Directive (AD) affecting a huge number of Piper aircraft is being proposed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

UK IMC RATING IMPORTANT SAYS EASA

04/11/2009 00:00:00

AN official from the European Aviation Safety Agency has said the UK IMC Rating "is as important to the UK as the Mountain Rating is to Switzerland" leading to hopes that it will be saved. However, support for a 'lite' Instrument Rating for GA pilots appears to be ebbing away.

LAA RALLY CONFIRMED FOR 2010

05/11/2009 00:00:00

HOORAY! The popular annual rally and fly-in of the Light Aircraft Association will return next year. The dates will be 3-5 September 2010.

AIRCRAFT DELIVERIES DOWN ALMOST HALF

06/11/2009 00:00:00

NUMBERS of general aviation aircraft delivered so far in 2009 are almost half the number over the same period a year ago, according to figures released yesterday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

JOIN THE FIGHT TO SAVE UK'S IMC RATING

06/11/2009 00:00:00

THE man in charge of fighting for UK pilots’ rights in discussions to keep the IMC Rating says he fears the battle to save it is being lost – and is asking for LOOP readers’ help in the fight.

LOOP PILOT POWER SURVEY - NEW PILOTS

06/11/2009 00:00:00

LOOP likes to find out what British pilots think, and now it’s time to get official with the first of our Pilot Power surveys which will give YOU the chance to talk about your opinions on flying.

WATCH THE HUDSON RIVER DITCHING

11/11/2009 00:00:00

AN amazing animated 3D reconstruction of the Hudson River ditching shows the flight from takeoff to hitting the flock of geese to the actual landing on water.

JETMAN TO FLY FROM AFRICA TO EUROPE

13/11/2009 00:00:00

SWISS pilot Yves Rossy - the JetMan - is to attempt to fly from Morocco across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain later this month.

GOVTS AGREE ON AIRLINE REFORM

17/11/2009 00:00:00

A HISTORIC agreement has been reached between the European Union, the US and six other countries that could revolutionise the troubled worldwide airline industry.

TURBO AIRVAN CERTIFICATED

23/11/2009 00:00:00

BOTH Europe and US aviation authorities have type certificated the turbocharged version of the Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 - known as the 'Airvan'.

RAF PILOT HAS BEST JOB IN THE WORLD

23/11/2009 00:00:00

A ROYAL Air Force Flight Lieutenant has become the first pilot in the world to reach 1,000 flying hours on the Eurofighter Typhoon.

VIRGIN SHOWS OFF SPACESHIP

07/12/2009 00:00:00

SIR Richard Branson and SpaceshipOne designer, Burt Rutan, have revealed SpaceShipTwo. SS2 has been designed to take many thousands of private astronauts into space after test programming and government licensing has been completed.

COVENTRY AIRPORT CLOSED

11/12/2009 00:00:00

COVENTRY Airport has closed and a NOTAM issued by the Aeronautical Information Service to that effect.

SIKORSKY DELIVERS FIRST S-434s

17/12/2009 00:00:00

SIKORSKY Helicopters has delivered the first two S-434 helicopters to Saudi Arabia. The S-434 is a new version of the former Schweizer turbine S-333.

MBE FOR ALAN CASSIDY

01/01/2010 00:00:00

LOOP writer and former British national aerobatic champion Alan Cassidy has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List. The award was "for services to aerobatics and to charity".

CAA LAUNCHES GENERAL AVIATION SAFETY AWARDS

18/01/2010 00:00:00

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is now inviting nominations for its General Aviation Safety Awards.

PIPERSPORT LAUNCHED

21/01/2010 00:00:00

RUMOURS first aired in LOOP last year about Piper embracing the Czech SportCruiser into its range are TRUE! At the Sebring Sport Plane Expo in Florida this week, Piper launched the PiperSport.

ROBIN BACK IN PRODUCTION

29/01/2010 00:00:00

AN agreement has been signed this week between Finch Aircraft and CEAPR, owner of the Robin Aircraft brand, which it is hoped will lead to the revival of production of the Robin DR400.

PART M HANDBOOK PUBLISHED

01/02/2010 00:00:00

EASA has published a complete Part M manual, both as a printed handbook and as a PDF, explaining its rules on maintenance.

CAA BACKS IMC CAMPAIGN

01/02/2010 00:00:00

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has thrown its weight behind Britain's IMC rating, making its preservation a matter of policy.

CHANGE FOR CROSS CHANNEL VFR ROUTE

02/02/2010 00:00:00

THE UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced an amendment to the Recommended VFR Route between the Solent control area and the Channel Islands.

NEW ADVICE FOR MATZ

08/02/2010 00:00:00

NATS and the CAA have issued new guidance for pilots wishing to transit Military Air Traffic Zones (MATZ).

HAWKER BEECHCRAFT UPS WEB PRESENCE

08/02/2010 00:00:00

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today unveiled a new, interactive website.

ROBINSON R66 TURBINE GOES ON SALE

09/02/2010 00:00:00

ROBINSON has announced the price of its eagerly-awaited turbine powered R66 helicopter and is taking orders for the aircraft. *UPDATED*

PISTON AIRCRAFT SALES HIT HARDEST IN 2009

17/02/2010 00:00:00

AS expected, figures released yesterday show sales and deliveries of General Aviation aircraft in 2009 were down across the board - with piston engine aircraft suffering the biggest decline.

FLY A BIZJET

18/02/2010 00:00:00

Stapleford Flight Centre in Essex, is offering the opportunity for members of the public to have a go at flying a Citation II business jet in a simulator.

FIRST NEW TWIN OTTER FOR 20 YEARS

18/02/2010 00:00:00

THE first new-production de Havilland Twin Otter for more than 20 years has had its initial flight.

BIG CHANGE FOR PPL TRAINING

19/02/2010 00:00:00

FLIGHT training for a Private Pilot's Licence for aeroplanes, helicopters and gyroplanes is to be allowed at unlicensed airfields from April.

CRASH KILLS TESLA MEN

19/02/2010 00:00:00

THREE men who worked for electric sports car company Tesla have been killed in an aircraft accident just after take-off.

WEST CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF FLYING

19/02/2010 00:00:00

AN easyJet Airbus A319 has been named "Sir George White" to commemorate 100 years of aerospace design, engineering and manufacturing in the Bristol region.

CESSNA'S LATEST BIZJET

15/03/2010 00:00:00

Cessna's Citation CJ4, the newest and largest member of the CJ family of business jets, has completed its US type certification.

LIFELINE FOR JETPACK

18/03/2010 00:00:00

THE Martin Aircraft Company has signed a $12 million joint-venture deal to start production of the world's first commercially available jetpack, bringing relief to the cash-strapped company.

CIRRUS UPBEAT FOR 2010

18/03/2010 00:00:00

CIRRUS Aircraft has given an upbeat view of how business is picking up for the American manufacturer - producer of the best-selling single-engine piston aircraft in the world.

BIG DROP IN NEAR-MISSES

19/03/2010 00:00:00

WHETHER it was the recession cutting the number of people flying or a combination of all the safety measures taken, we may never know, but there was a welcome big drop in the number of airprox incidents last year

GOVT OK FOR SOUTHEND PLANS

19/03/2010 00:00:00

THE Government has OK'd London Southend Airport's development plans which include a runway extension and new terminal. Both will be completed in time for London 2012 Olympics.

VINTAGE WEEKEND TICKETS

19/03/2010 00:00:00

EUROPE'S biggest gathering of vintage and classic aircraft, the Great Vintage Flying Weekend (G-VFWE), will be on 8-9 May at Cotswold Airport (Kemble) - tickets have just gone on sale.

NEW BIZJET RECORD

21/03/2010 00:00:00

Swiss aviator Riccardo Mortara and his crew have set the record for the fastest flight around the world in a 9,000-12,000kg aircraft. They had to add a 12th leg to their trip, after plans to land in Keflavik, Iceland, were aborted due to a volcanic eruption.

UK PILOT'S AUTOGYRO BID

22/03/2010 00:00:00

AUTOGYRO pilot Norman Surplus took off this morning (Monday, 22 March) from Larne, in Northern Ireland in an attempt to fly around the world. He left just before 11:00 and made his first stop at 14:07 near Fleetwood, Lancs.

VIDEO FLYING GUIDES FOR TRICKY AIRSPACE

24/03/2010 00:00:00

A NEW interactive website that plays video flying guides of key GA routes has been launched by the Airspace & Safety Initiative.

IRISH EYES NOT SMILING

25/03/2010 00:00:00

ANOTHER of those pesky Transponder Mandatory Zones has been set up around Belfast Aldergrove Airport and will come into effect on 22 April.

FIRST BLOOD TO ARCH

26/03/2010 00:00:00

IT'S first blood to Hannes Arch in the opening event of the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship being held in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Arch posted the fastest time in Qualifying, scoring one point.

CALL TO RESPOND TO RADIO CHARGING PROPOSAL

26/03/2010 00:00:00

RESPOND now! is the call being put out by the Light Aircraft Association following OFCOM's second attempt at charging for radio use. The deadline for responses has been extended to 22 April.

BONHOMME WINS RED BULL OPENER

27/03/2010 00:00:00

Defending champion Paul Bonhomme of Britain won the first Red Bull Air Race of the 2010 season in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with a hard-fought victory in scorching heat, finishing just ahead of compatriot Nigel Lamb (2nd) and Hungary's Peter Besenyei (3rd).

ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT TO DEBUT AT AERO 2010

29/03/2010 23:00:00

AN ELECTRIC aircraft designed and built in Europe will have its World Premiere at the AERO 2010 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany next week.

ROBIN BACK MAKING AIRCRAFT

29/03/2010 23:00:00

ROBIN Aircraft is back in business making aircraft! The French manufacturer ran into problems when supplies of the Thielert aero-diesel engine stopped during that manufacturer's problems, but now Thielert is back with an improved 2.0 litre engine.

TOP UK AWARD FOR YUNEEC

30/03/2010 23:00:00

THE Yuneec E430 electric aircraft being developed and built by a Chinese company has won a top British design award and will be shown at next week's AERO 2010 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

EVEKTOR LAUNCHES NEW TWIN

30/03/2010 23:00:00

CZECH manufacturer Evektor has rolled out its new twin turboprop, the EV-55 Outback. The aircraft is set to have its first flight later this year.

RULES OF THE AIR TO CHANGE

31/03/2010 23:00:00

THE European Parliament has tasked Eurocontrol to develop standardised rules of the air as part of the Single Sky programme, reports the LAA (Light Aircraft Association).

DYN AERO LAUNCHES NEW TWIN AT AERO

07/04/2010 23:00:00

THE LOOP team is at AERO 2010, Europe's biggest General Aviation show, and already we've seen a brand new twin engine aircraft from French manufacturer, Dyn Aero. It is called the Twin-R and just a few details have so far been released.

PHOTO REPORT FROM AERO 2010

07/04/2010 23:00:00

IT's been a packed opening day at the AERO 2010 show being held at Friedrichshafen, Germany. Among the highlights were Diamond announcing the DA40 NG has just received certification, Finch Aircraft showing the Robin DR400 with new 155hp Centurion engine... and much more.

EXTRA LIFE FOR CENTURION ENGINES

07/04/2010 23:00:00

GOOD NEWS announced at AERO 2010 for CENTURION aero turbodiesel engines - the company has delivered the first clutches designed for extended operation of up to 600 hours to its customers, while the life span of the fuel feed pump has been doubled.

ASHTAM ISSUED FOR WHOLE OF UK

14/04/2010 23:00:00

A HUGE cloud of volcanic ash is drifting southwards across the UK and many airline flights have been cancelled. Many airports have stopped operations and others are running a limited service. The UK Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) has issued a rare 'ASHTAM'.

BONHOMME TAKES PERTH RED BULL QUALIFYING

16/04/2010 23:00:00

Britain's Paul Bonhomme extended his lead in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship by winning 1 point for posting the fastest Qualifying time in the latest round this weekend in Perth, Australia.

BONHOMME THIRD AS ARCH WINS

17/04/2010 23:00:00

Hannes Arch of Austria won the Red Bull Air Race on Sunday with Matt Hall of Australia getting a career-best second place in front of an enormous crowd of 140,000 watching from the banks of the Swan River in Perth, Australia. Championship leader Paul Bonhomme of Great Britain took third place.

CAA & EASA ISSUE ASH ADVICE

20/04/2010 23:00:00

BOTH the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued advice documents for pilots on volcanic ash - just as the ban on IFR flights over the UK and much of Europe was lifted.

BEGINNING OF THE END FOR AVGAS

21/04/2010 23:00:00

THE moment General Aviation has been dreading has arrived - the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun the process of introducing new regulations that will ban leaded aviation gasoline - ie, 100LL Avgas.

CAPE RECORD BID OFF

03/05/2010 23:00:00

STEVE Noujaim's attempt on the London - Cape Town - London speed record has been postponed because of lack of fuel in the Belgian Congo.

LSA RULES THE WORLD

25/04/2010 23:00:00

LIGHT Sport Aircraft manufacturers around the world are banding together to persuade aviation authorities to adopt the US-inspired Light Sport regulations on a global basis.

AUTO GYRO BID DITCHES IN THAILAND

29/04/2010 23:00:00

UPDATE: Round-the-world pilot Norman Surplus has ditched his MT-03 auto-gyro in a shallow lake in Thailand.

COVENTRY AIRPORT SOLD

27/04/2010 23:00:00

PATRIOT Aerospace, owned by entrepreneur and pilot Sir Peter Rigby, pictured right, has acquired Coventry Airport.

GULFSTREAM G650 FLIES AT MACH 0.925

02/05/2010 23:00:00

THE Gulfstream G650 flew at its proposed top speed of Mach 0.925 for the first time on Sunday, 2 May, and looks set to take the crown of world's fastest civil aircraft away from the current holder, Cessna's Citation X.

UK EYES UP FUTURE IN SPACE

04/05/2010 23:00:00

A NEW report sets out how an incoming government could grow the UK's space industry.

THE MERC THAT HOVERS

05/05/2010 23:00:00

THE Silver Arrows can fly! Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Eurocopter to produce the first Merc-styled helicopter.

LAA RALLY MICROSITE LAUNCHED

06/05/2010 23:00:00

A micro website has been launched to promote the UK's top event for light aircraft, the LAA Rally.

WASH-OUT FOR RED BULL IN RIO

08/05/2010 23:00:00

TORRENTIAL rain made a farce of the weekend's round of the Red Bull Air Race Series. The race itself was called off and positions allotted according to Qualifying results.

SERVICE BOOST FOR CENTURION

09/05/2010 23:00:00

CENTURION says it is launching a 'service offensive' for its latest 2.0 litre turbodiesel aircraft engine including an extension of the TBO to 1,500 hours.

GETTING THE BIRD

10/05/2010 23:00:00

THUMP! What was that? Have you been involved in a birdstrike? The UK CAA has just launched a campaign to identify birds involved in such incidents.

CONTINENTAL GOES DIESEL

11/05/2010 23:00:00

A US aviation news website is reporting that US engine company Teledyne Continental - who supply Cirrus among others - has bought an interest in the French SMA SR305 turbodiesel.

TRY AEROS WITH LOOP

12/05/2010 23:00:00

FANCY trying competition aerobatics? The simplest and safest way to start is with one of the LOOP Beginners Days run with the British Aerobatics Association. Entries are being taken for the next event.

AUTO-GYRO BID BACK ON

15/05/2010 23:00:00

Norman Surplus, attempting to be the first person to fly an auto-gyro around the world, plans to get back in the air after his recent forced landing in a shallow lake in Thailand.

STELIO FRATI DEAD

15/05/2010 23:00:00

ITALY'S most famous aircraft designer, Stelio Frati, has died aged 91. Frati designed some of the prettiest and best handling light aircraft including the Siai Marchetti SF260 and Falco F8L.

GOODWOOD'S NEW BIG AVIATION SHOW

18/05/2010 23:00:00

FLYING will have a major presence at this summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed with many of the major aircraft manufacturers taking part in an all-new Aviation Show to be staged alongside the prestigious motor racing event.

AUSSIE'S GREAT ESCAPE

21/05/2010 23:00:00

TWO Aussie pilots have set off on a flight around the world to celebrate the Centenary of Aviation in Australia. Guess who made the first flight back in 1910? There's a clue in the headline.

ENGINE TO RUN ON BIO FUEL

23/05/2010 23:00:00

SOUTH African company ADEPT Airmotive has launched an engine claimed to run on a range of fuels including bio fuel and liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

BRITTEN-NORMAN OPENS UK FACTORY

24/05/2010 23:00:00

AGAINST all trends, British manufacturer Britten-Norman has decided to bring production of its famous aircraft back to the UK from eastern Europe.

DON'T BUST THE REDS THIS SUMMER

28/05/2010 23:00:00

AVOID busting airspace being used by the Red Arrows this summer. That's the message from the CAA which has just published a list of events where the RAF display team will be flying.