Top 10 stories that captivated your attention
An aircraft debut, phased-out piston singles, lowered training costs, a harrowing P–51 emergency, and a solved aviation mystery were among the top stories that enthralled pilots in 2018.
Go to just about any airport, and you’ll probably see a Cessna 172 on the ramp, in a hangar, or taxiing out for takeoff. The Skyhawk is a popular trainer, but it’s also in demand for owners and renters. The value of Skyhawks produced between 1968 and 1976 jumped about 20 percent in just a few months in 2018. Industry insiders credit the spike to a strong economy, more pilots flying under BasicMed, and demand for training pilots to fill the professional pilot shortage.
Cessna’s fastest piston sold too slowly to stay
Cessna’s good news in the used Skyhawk market didn’t carry over to its fastest piston single, the Cessna TTx. Textron Aviation ceased production of the Cessna TTx in 2018 because of slow sales.
Cessna discontinues turbo Skyhawk JT-A
Cessna continued to dominate headlines in 2018. Less than one year after Cessna received certification of its diesel Skyhawk, the company abandoned production. AOPA had featured a fly-off between a traditional Cessna 172 and the JT-A Skyhawk in the May 2018 issue of AOPA Pilot. Those who want a Skyhawk with a diesel engine can install a Continental CD-155 engine on an existing Cessna 172 through a supplemental type certificate.
ERAU historian solves JFK flight mystery
Everyone loves a good mystery. Pilots were enthralled with the outcome of the mystery of where President John F. Kennedy soloed a seaplane. An Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University archivist put years of speculation to rest this year when he combined some investigative work, forensic evidence, and even luck to find out where and when the thirty-fifth president soloed a Piper Cub on floats.
FAA cuts cost of training, proficiency
Pilots who need to maintain instrument proficiency received good news from the FAA in June. The agency allows “instrument-rated pilots who use approved aviation training devices (ATDs) to satisfy flight experience requirements to enjoy up to six months of currency rather than two.” In addition, a flight instructor no longer needs “to be present while instrument-rated pilots use flight simulators and ATDs to satisfy currency requirements.” The FAA also is allowing “sport pilots to credit their flight experience toward higher certificates and ratings.”
The Vashon Ranger made waves when it debuted in early 2018, and not just because its production had been a well-kept secret. What makes the Vashon Ranger stand out is its ability to soar as a primary trainer as well as an adventure airplane for backcountry operations. It easily won over AOPA Editor at Large Dave Hirschman—and it might you too!
Threat of so-called privatized ATC
The threat of a so-called privatized air traffic control system rallied pilots, and the threat was ultimately defeated. In October, President Donald Trump signed a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill that did not include “ATC privatization.”
STC makes more Piper PA–32s BasicMed compliant
Piper PA–32 pilots and owners who want to fly them under BasicMed received good news. A seating option on the singles had prevented them from being included in the list of aircraft pilots can fly under the new medical qualification. However, now owners can get “a copy of the supplemental type certificate (STC) and letter of authorization from AOPA that allows certain PA–32 models, certified with an option for seven seats, to be flown as six-seat-restricted aircraft.”
AOPA announces scholarship programs
AOPA expanded its scholarship offerings in 2018, much to the delight of pilots. Two scholarship programs were aimed at helping student pilots in their training to earn an initial pilot certificate, while a new program was launched to help certificated pilots achieve an advanced certificate or rating. Generous donations to the AOPA Foundation made the scholarships possible.
Alyssa J. Cobb
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