AOPA General Aviation News

What every pilot needs to know about leases and liability

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:32:00 -0400

For many pilots, flying isn't just a profession or hobby—it's a lifelong passion.

Passing the wrench

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:47:00 -0400

Fourth Front Aviation is tackling aviation's Airframe and Powerplant mechanic shortage by pairing experienced mentors with the next generation of technicians, including more women entering the profession.

Redbird dials up simulation fidelity

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:40:20 -0400

Flight schools have long faced a tradeoff when choosing a simulator. Devices that closely replicate a specific aircraft provide more realistic training but are limited to that airplane, while reconfigurable simulators support multiple aircraft using more generic controls and avionics. Redbird said its Redbird NXi is designed to narrow that gap.

Swift 100R unleaded STC expands as distribution ramps up

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:53:57 -0400

Swift Fuels announced a major update of its 100R unleaded aviation fuel supplemental type certificate approval, expanded by the FAA to cover 1,200 piston engine models and 1,600 aircraft. The Indiana-based company reported that distribution is also expanding according to plan.

AOPA asks New Jersey governor to intervene in hangar evictions

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:25:34 -0400

With pilots and business owners facing eviction from a New Jersey airport to make way for construction of one new hangar to be reserved for the state's firefighters, AOPA urged Gov. Mikie Sherrill to intervene.

Wally Funk belonged to the sky

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:55:22 -0400

From the time she was a small child in Taos, New Mexico, Wally Funk wanted to fly. For more than seven decades, she pursued that goal despite barriers that repeatedly limited opportunities for women in aviation and spaceflight.

AOPA, Coalition Urge Congress to Provide Additional ATC Modernization Funding

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:39:23 -0400

WASHINGTON—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), along with more than 50 other aviation organizations, sent a letter to congressional leaders, requesting an additional $20 billion be allocated toward the ongoing Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) initiative.

Disaster relief aviation group awards Texas pilots for flood response

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:39:29 -0400

Operation Airdrop awarded its first-ever Wings of Hope Award, one year after floods in central Texas killed 139 people during the Fourth of July weekend in 2025.

New display brings ForeFlight into the panel

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:32:00 -0400

Pilots who rely on ForeFlight for flight planning will soon be able to view the popular navigation app's display of charts, procedures, and flight information in the instrument panel.

Everybody called her 'Mama'

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:28:00 -0400

For nearly a century, women have raced small airplanes across the United States, testing their navigation, planning, weather judgment, and teamwork as much as stick-and-rudder skills.

An update from AOPA's chairman

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:01:00 -0400

By Luke Wippler,
Chairman, AOPA

At our AOPA Annual Member Meeting in May, we reaffirmed the Board of Trustees' commitment to strengthening AOPA through greater transparency, member engagement, responsiveness, and continued advocacy for general aviation.

Silver Wiiings: The Flying Bulls DC-6 returns to the US

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:12:38 -0400

Every year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, there’s an aircraft that captures the hearts of the crowd. The show hasn’t even started, but one of this year’s stars will certainly be the Flying Bulls' Douglas DC–6.

Training and Safety Tip: Maintain weather awareness

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:59:00 -0400

Most pilots can tell at least one story about a flight that did not go as planned because of unpredicted weather along the route. We all know that weather forecasts aren’t perfect, but that can lead to concerns regarding the safety of the flight.

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute Releases Accident Case Study: Night Falls on Final

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:48:07 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new episode of its popular Accident Case Study video series.

AOPA Foundation to add maintenance, manufacturing curriculum

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:16:06 -0400

The AOPA Foundation will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum as early as 2028.

Sharing aviation, changing minds

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:49:18 -0400

Just 30 miles apart, two very different Southern California airports welcomed thousands of visitors on the same day, in different ways, but with a shared mission: connecting with their communities.

NTSB confirms plug was Rob Holland's undoing

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:17:21 -0400

The final NTSB report on the April 24, 2025, landing accident that killed legendary aerobatic competitor and performer Rob Holland draws the same conclusion that was evident in the early stages of the investigation: A loose fitting, part of a custom modification, jammed the elevator in the final seconds of the fatal flight.

Socata GA pilots rendezvous with French aerobatic team

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:40:02 -0400

A spur-of-the-moment idea morphed into a one-of-a-kind get together between general aviation pilots flying Socata TB30 Epsilon piston-engine military trainers and their jet counterparts flying the blue-white-and-red livery of the French Air and Space Force during a stopover at Martin State Airport near Baltimore July 3.

AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:41:00 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016.

Aircraft Maintenance: Preparing for summer travel

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:30:00 -0400

With EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin around the corner, thousands of pilots are preparing to take their aircraft on long cross country trips. Inevitably, some of those pilots will find themselves facing a challenging maintenance issue far from home. Preparation is the key here, and a little advance planning can go a long way toward reducing your risk and salvaging your trip. Here are some of the most important do's and don'ts for your next cross-country adventure:

The A&P who built a business while logging flight hours

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:18:02 -0400

At 23, Philip Krzyszton owns a 1965 Mooney, flies cargo, operates a growing mobile aircraft maintenance company known as AircraftMD, and holds both his pilot and airframe and powerplant certificates. He did it all without taking on debt.

How to spot hard-to-find airports

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:16:18 -0400

In the era of GPS with “direct to” and “nearest” functions, it might be hard to believe that it could be difficult to spot your destination airport. You should see it at the end of the magenta line, right? However, some airports can be tricky to find, even with the latest technology. Old-school techniques can help you locate them more easily.

Training and Safety Tip: Clear the prop, properly

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:47:00 -0400

Your flight instructor surely covered the safety protocols for starting the engine during your first lesson and watches closely to make sure you remember the steps: First, turn the battery and beacon on to alert anyone nearby that your airplane is about to start. Then look forward, left, right, and rearward to visually “clear” the area. After that, crack the window open and shout “Clear prop!” in a loud and mighty voice before you engage the starter.

Cirrus announces clean-sheet trainer

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:28:26 -0400

Cirrus announced July 6 the forthcoming arrival of a three-seat trainer with a Rotax engine and a mission to fill flight school lines with what Pat Waddick, president of innovation and operations, called a "complete reimagining of the modern training aircraft."

When students lose confidence

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:44:24 -0400

One aviation family believes the industry's biggest challenge isn't just attracting future pilots—it's making sure they stay.

Eliminating the gamble from the 'impossible turn'

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:44:00 -0400

In the high-stakes cockpit environment, the margin between safety and disaster is measured in seconds and feet.

Aircraft renters insurance checklist

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:42:00 -0400

Many pilots who rent or borrow aircraft assume that the FBO, flight school, or aircraft owner’s insurance will protect them if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

AOPA's Rusty Pilots initiative passes milestone

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:36:00 -0400

In 2007, David Wing was just starting his commercial training when the economy turned, his flying club started selling off its airplanes, and work got too busy for him to fly regularly. Like many lapsed pilots, he hoped he would get back into the air, perhaps in retirement, or, he says “perhaps not, time would tell.”

FAA to reduce RCO network

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:01:13 -0400

Beginning September 3, the FAA will decommission and phase out 504 remote communications outlets and 170 VHF omnidirectional range voice outlets used by flight service stations within the conterminous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

'Necessary Turbulence,' necessary flight

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:54:00 -0400

Before retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eileen Isola could help tell the stories of 108 Air Force Academy women in Necessary Turbulence: Fifty Years, One Unbreakable Sisterhood Forged in the Crucible of the Air Force Academy, she had to write her own comeback story, one that began not in a military aircraft, but in a rented Cessna 172.

Bill addresses infrastructure needs at Pennsylvania airports

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:41:17 -0400

Pennsylvania lawmakers are debating a bill to relieve pressure on general aviation airports across the state by providing $32.5 million in funding to add hangars and fix infrastructure.

EFB offers second opinion

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:22:33 -0400

In the era of electronic flight bag modernization, a few products have emerged as frontrunners, and worked their way into cockpits from small general aviation trainers all the way to turboprops and jets.

AOPA Foundation Celebrates Helping 15,000 Rusty Pilots Return to Flying

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:40:55 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) celebrates helping 15,000 aviators, who have completed its Rusty Pilots course and returned to flying.

Training and Safety Tip: First things stick

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:09:00 -0400

Flight instructor candidates are typically taught a few fundamentals of education theory, including the laws of learning: readiness, exercise, effect, primacy, intensity, and recency.

AOPA, New Jersey pilots oppose hangar eviction effort

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:56:26 -0400

AOPA is working with local pilots at Aeroflex/Andover Airport after the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, which operates the airport, sent eviction notices to local pilots.

Come for the seminars, stay for the company

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:26:41 -0400

At this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin, AOPA is offering a big selection of seminars; get-togethers; and one-on-one time with its specialists to discuss topics including regulations, medical certification, and other issues at the AOPA Campus, booth No. 463, across from the Brown Arch.

Louisiana becomes third state to ban ADS-B-based billing

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:03:25 -0400

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed H.B.730 into law, joining the growing number of states moving to stop the use of ADS-B—a safety technology—to collect fees from pilots. AOPA views this action as an important recognition that ADS-B, a technology used by pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent midair collisions, should not be used as a revenue generator.

Flying low

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Agricultural pilots memorize fields as well as obstacles, study wind direction, track towers, and plan escape routes before descending at crop level onto fields. Increasing drone activities add new complexity to one of aviation's most demanding jobs.

Training and Safety Tip: Know your NORDO plan

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:42:00 -0400

Clear communication is essential to the safety of every flight. We communicate to announce our position and intentions at a nontowered airport, utilize flight following en route, receive clearance to land from air traffic control, and much more.

Keeping older popular training aircraft flying

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:55:13 -0400

McFarlane Aviation offers replacement and repair parts aimed at addressing both mechanical and structural concerns for several popular Cessna and Beechcraft models.

Louisiana Governor Signs ADS-B Billing Ban

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:00:32 -0400

WASHINGTON—Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB 730 into law, joining the growing number of states moving to stop the use of ADS-B—a safety technology—to collect fees from pilots. AOPA views this action as an important recognition that ADS-B, a technology used by pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent mid-air collisions, should not be used as a revenue generator.

A watch fit for spaceflight

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:48:00 -0400

In low Earth orbit, the sun rises and sets every 90 minutes, compressing a single day into as many as 16 cycles of light and dark. In such conditions, the usual cues that anchor our understanding of time break down, and a wristwatch’s standard 12-hour dial becomes less reliable.

GPS jamming active when King Air struck mountain

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:25:50 -0400

A Beechcraft King Air collided with a New Mexico mountain ridge while attempting an instrument approach shortly after midnight on a moonless May 14, killing four people and igniting a wildfire that took nearly a month to extinguish. GPS interference—an increasingly common event in recent years—figures prominently in the preliminary report released by the NTSB.

Training and Safety Tip: Seek crosswinds

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:38:00 -0400

When an airport is built (with few exceptions), its primary runway is aligned to the prevailing wind—the direction from which the wind most commonly blows—because airplanes and pilots (especially student pilots) are happiest taking off and landing into the wind.

LAPP Urges City Council to Schedule Burke Lakefront Hearing

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:51:12 -0400

CLEVELAND—In a letter to Cleveland City Council members, the Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP) is urging the Council’s Transportation and Mobility Committee to schedule a hearing on Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposed closure of Burke Lakefront Airport with airport proponents and stakeholders.

Coalition urges Cleveland council to schedule Burke Lakefront hearing

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:10:33 -0400

In a letter to Cleveland City Council members, the Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP) is urging the Council’s Transportation and Mobility Committee to schedule a hearing on Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposed closure of Burke Lakefront Airport with airport proponents and stakeholders.

Minnesota tribe returns airplane seven months after seizure

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:05:55 -0400

A Minnesota pilot, whose Stinson 108 was seized by the Red Lake Nation following an emergency landing on a state highway, got his airplane back on June 3 after months of effort by AOPA and others.

Building support for Vermont aviation

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:51:09 -0400

The Green Mountain State has a history of neglecting general aviation, but a homegrown effort to build electric aircraft combined with steady advocacy by pilots and AOPA has begun to thaw frosty attitudes in the capital, and beyond.

Solo before senior year

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:17:00 -0400

A student’s first solo is usually described as a mix of nerves and excitement. At just 10.1 hours of flight time 17-year-old Crio Jelsma completed his first solo flight at Skyview Aviation in Tracy, California.

Women Can Fly

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:33:21 -0400

When I arrived, there was one parking spot left and attendees were being directed to overflow parking in the grass. The packed Women Can Fly event at Warrenton/Fauquier Airport in Virgina on June 6 provided introductory aviation experiences to women and children of all ages.

New VFR procedure for Merrill Field

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:54:25 -0400

The FAA has developed a new VFR procedure for aircraft departing from or arriving to Merrill Field in Alaska.

'I'm always thinking where we would land'

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The first sign that something was wrong wasn't a loud bang or sudden loss of power; it was a smell.

Training and Safety Tip: Prepare your passengers

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:35:00 -0400

I recently flew with a first-time single-engine piston aircraft passenger. My plan was to do an hourlong local sightseeing flight, a route that I had done numerous times before and knew well.

Turns to make a point

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:51:01 -0400

Michael Bremner is calling on fellow general aviation pilots to help him raise awareness of elder abuse, including financial crimes, and he plans to resume circling the famous piers in Santa Monica and Huntington Beach, California, on June 15 to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Updated: Latest Mexico entry procedures clarified

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:01:22 -0400

Just as pilots were getting used to the "Single Entry Authorization" procedures implemented in early 2024, the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) now requires that every domestic and international flight receive prior authorization from its central office in Mexico City before it can operate. Unfortunately, users indicate this update is being applied inconsistently across different airports.

FAA asks Arizona city to delay Falcon Field fees

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:24:32 -0400

The FAA has asked the city of Mesa, Arizona—the airport sponsor of Falcon Field—to delay implementation of landing fees that local flight schools say would cost them and their students millions of dollars per year.

Aircraft Maintenance: Tools of the trade

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:48:00 -0400

Having the right tool for the job can save you time, money, and maybe even a little bit of sanity. More importantly, some tools help you stay ahead of the maintenance curve and improve your flight safety. Here are a few of my favorites:

From 'Tweety' to United

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:37:35 -0400

In 2016, AOPA awarded a refurbished Cessna 150 to the newly formed Nate Abel Flying Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The club's members nicknamed it "Tweety," and it became a frequent training aircraft for aspiring aviators.

Training and Safety Tip: Visualize, avoid vortices

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:57:00 -0400

In their role as choreographers of the sky, one factor air traffic controllers consider is adequate aircraft separation when wake turbulence may create a safety concern.

First Generation Student to Captain: How One CAU Alumni is Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviators

Fri, 29 May 2026 17:54:00 -0400

At six years old, Jesus Gallegos had the opportunity to sit in the captain's seat of a Boeing 737 while travelling from Ontario, California to Mexico City with his family. Years later, he became a captain himself at GoJet Airlines.

Flight schools file FAA complaint over Falcon Field fees

Thu, 28 May 2026 20:34:24 -0400

Two flight schools at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, have filed a Part 13 complaint challenging the city’s new landing fee program, which could go into effect as early as July 30. AOPA backed the flight schools’ position that the fees violate federal grant assurances in a letter to the FAA.

Hall of fame honors former AOPA executives

Thu, 28 May 2026 17:56:33 -0400

The National Aviation Hall of Fame will present former AOPA President Mark Baker, and former AOPA Foundation President and Air Safety Institute Executive Director Bruce Landsberg, for their "profound and lasting contributions to aviation safety, education, and pilot advocacy."

New York state bills would help, hurt GA

Thu, 28 May 2026 17:25:42 -0400

A mixed bag of pending legislation in New York includes one bill that would impose a limited state-level ban on using ADS-B data to bill pilots, while another bill (which AOPA strongly opposes) would scuttle the tax exemption that helps keep the state competitive—at the expense of airports and jobs.

Flight sim convention comes to Minnesota in June

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:16:07 -0400

Flight simulation enthusiasts, student pilots, and aviation professionals will gather in St. Paul, Minnesota, in June for FlightSimExpo 2026, a three-day convention showcasing how flight simulation can support pilot training, proficiency, and aviation education.

Training and Safety Tip: Tidy up after flight

Tue, 26 May 2026 20:39:00 -0400

“What, are we having a garage sale?” I asked the dispatcher. Behind his station were four large boxes. One was full of sunglasses. The second was full of gloves. The third was full of cables and connectors. The fourth, water bottles.

Florida law shifts Naples airport authority board selection to voters

Fri, 22 May 2026 16:31:18 -0400

A new Florida law will transfer control of the Naples Airport Authority board from city appointees to Collier County voters—a change that could benefit general aviation.

Why recurrent pilot training matters when renewing insurance

Fri, 22 May 2026 15:00:00 -0400

AOPA members understand that flying safely is about far more than meeting the minimum requirements—it’s about maintaining proficiency, protecting your investment, and being a responsible steward of general aviation. That philosophy carries real weight when it comes time to renew your aircraft insurance.

Part 141 overhaul: AOPA speaks up for small schools

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:29:18 -0400

A desire to leave room for small schools to operate under—and share the benefits of—an overhauled FAR Part 141, along with concerns about limiting FAA oversight capacity in ways that shift the burden to schools are themes woven through AOPA's detailed comments on industry-proposed changes to professional flight training.

FAA administrator opposes ADS-B-based billing

Thu, 21 May 2026 18:59:31 -0400

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the FAA dislikes the practice of using ADS-B to charge fees to pilots in a Senate Aviation Subcommittee hearing on May 19.

AOPA Continues Mental Health Initiative with New Interview, Education Material

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:56:00 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) continues to highlight the importance of mental health during its monthlong initiative with the release of a new interview with Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup and a new elective in the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s electronic Flight Instructor Refresher Course (eFIRC).

AOPA Applauds FAA Administrator’s Comments Opposing ADS-B Billing

Wed, 20 May 2026 20:42:00 -0400

WASHINGTON—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) welcomes and supports comments made by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford during a Senate Aviation Subcommittee hearing this week about the practice of using ADS-B to charge fees to pilots.

Driving support for GA

Wed, 20 May 2026 15:34:57 -0400

At a time when many pilots are worried about the rising cost of training, a group of Florida aviators is asking supporters to back a different kind of aviation initiative: a specialty license plate designed to help fund future aviation scholarships; Florida just launched an easier way to purchase the required presale voucher online.

Training and Safety Tip: Articulate your goals

Tue, 19 May 2026 20:49:00 -0400

While there are times when it’s fun to just go with the flow, flight training is not one of them. You are investing time, effort, and money, so your flight instructor should have a clear understanding of your goals and help you achieve them.

Understanding piston engine fuel system variability

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:39:00 -0400

During a long taxi on a warm day, or as power is reduced in a descent, many pilots notice small changes in how the engine feels. An idle that isn’t quite as smooth, a slight shift in RPM, or a need for minor mixture adjustment are all common observations.

AOPA members elect new trustees

Thu, 14 May 2026 21:01:44 -0400

AOPA's leaders briefed members on what is likely to become the most significant change to the association's governance in its history and listened to their feedback during a two-hour annual meeting May 12 in Frederick, Maryland.

Iridium purchases space-based ADS-B provider

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:57:12 -0400

Iridium Communications, a global satellite communications company, is acquiring the remaining stake in Aireon, bringing the world’s only space‑based ADS‑B surveillance system fully under its control in a move the company says will define the next era of global aviation safety.

Hal Shevers: Architect of aviation training and Sporty's legacy

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:28:11 -0400

Hal Shevers’s story is woven into the very fabric of American general aviation—a tale of resourcefulness, vision, and a relentless commitment to making the skies accessible to all who dream of flight. Born on June 27, 1935, Shevers’s journey from Purdue University to the skies above Batavia, Ohio, was marked by more than personal achievement; it was a legacy built for generations—generations who will continue to benefit from his lifelong emphasis on flight training and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, the entire GA community is mourning his death on May 12 at 90.

AOPA Holds Annual Member Meeting, Elects New Trustees

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:15:00 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) yesterday held its annual member meeting at the National Aviation Community Center in Frederick, Maryland, where it elected two new members to the Board of Trustees and heard feedback from 17 members.

Training and Safety Tip: Master the fundamental four

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:52:00 -0400

The flight training community has long recognized that when a student is struggling with a maneuver, the problem is usually a weakness in a precursor skill, rather than anything to do with the maneuver at hand.

Beyond bird strikes

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:04:44 -0400

As drones and other airborne traffic add to traditional bird strike risks, pilots face a growing challenge during the most critical phases of flight. A new iPhone app aims to provide real-time detection of hazards before they come into view.

Pass the vision portion of your medical

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:31:00 -0400

It's unbelievable how one simple change can dramatically improve your performance.

Sonex back in business

Thu, 07 May 2026 18:14:39 -0400

A new owner with a background in business and aviation announced May 1 that he has purchased Sonex LLC, resuming kitplane production just over a month after the company shut its doors.

AOPA Highlights Mental Health in May, Delivers Resources for Pilots

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:18:28 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has launched a monthlong initiative to highlight pilot mental health, bringing together educational content, expert guidance, and advocacy updates throughout May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Florida airport rescue documentary now streaming

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:10:47 -0400

Our City, Our Airport, a documentary that chronicles the successful effort to prevent the closure of Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida, is now available for streaming.

New Braunfels airport honored with award

Thu, 07 May 2026 14:24:23 -0400

In April, the New Braunfels National Airport in New Braunfels, Texas, was named the 2026 National/Regional Airport of the Year by the Texas Aviation Advisory Committee.

Aircraft Maintenance: Leaking propellers

Wed, 06 May 2026 17:03:00 -0400

At some point in the life of a constant-speed propeller, it happens: Tiny dots appear on the windshield. Your propeller is leaking oil. What you do—and when you do it—requires informed decision-making to protect both your safety and your wallet.

The unpredictable way aviation can shape you

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:55:05 -0400

Hayley Herberg didn’t start flying with a career in mind. There was no plan for regionals or majors, no predetermined timeline. She just wanted to fly—for the sake of flying.

Training and Safety Tip: Angle for the wind

Tue, 05 May 2026 18:49:00 -0400

Wind affects airplanes in flight as soon as they leave the ground, so pilots must constantly adjust their heading accordingly to maintain their desired track over the ground.

Waco Aircraft closes operations

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:10:12 -0400

On April 30, Dimor Group, the entity behind Waco Aircraft Corp. and Junkers Aircraft, announced the closure of its Battle Creek, Michigan, operations.

Breaking the silence in aviation

Mon, 04 May 2026 18:19:00 -0400

When University of North Dakota aviation student and instrument-rated private pilot Spencer King disclosed an anxiety diagnosis to the FAA, he expected paperwork, not more than 500 days of waiting and thousands of dollars spent trying to get back into the cockpit.

More than a scholarship

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:54:49 -0400

Scholarships can help a pilot start training, but money alone doesn't carry someone across the finish line.

AOPA Announces Slate of Trustee Candidates for Annual Meeting of Members

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:32:00 -0400

FREDERICK, Md.—The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) today announced the slate of candidates to be voted on as members of the Board of Trustees at the association's annual member meeting on Tuesday, May 12, in Frederick, Maryland.

Rhode Island airport board seeks runway closure

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:06:05 -0400

The move by the Rhode Island Airport Corp. to close the crosswind runway at Quonset State Airport and transfer ownership of the land caught pilots by surprise, though the fight to maintain the airport's safety and utility is not over.

Rushed runup, wind shift preceded power loss on takeoff

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:41:08 -0400

A Beechcraft F33A Bonanza crashed April 25 seconds after liftoff from a Minneapolis airport, killing two people following an apparent engine failure during takeoff—a difficult and dangerous scenario that shares the root cause of one in 10 fatal general aviation accidents.

Visionary Vern Raburn remembered

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:55:19 -0400

Vern Raburn, very light jet pioneer and founder of Eclipse Aviation, died April 25 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 75.

Florida becomes second state to ban ADS-B-based billing

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:16:52 -0400

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on April 23 signed S.B.422 into law, prohibiting the use of ADS-B for charging fees by airports to most general aviation pilots.

Training and Safety Tip: Check your expectations

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:07:00 -0400

I remember looking at the sectional chart before arriving at an unfamiliar airport and noticing that one of the runways had a right-hand pattern. I thought to myself, “Ah, I’ve got to remember that.” That, in itself, is no big deal; however, right-hand patterns are in the minority, and I know the danger of responding out of habit. I also knew that all my friends would be on frequency and listening, should I make a mistake.

Burke Lakefront supporters meet with FAA leadership

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:35:32 -0400

The Lakefront Airport Preservation Partnership (LAPP) met with FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Daniel J. Edwards on April 21 to express unified opposition to Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s proposed closure of Burke Lakefront Airport.