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Straight outta Compton or Fly-in!

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

A hidden gem of an airport in the gangland of Southern California Compton-Woodley Airport (KCPM) is doing its part to both survive and promote a healthy love for aviation along with a healthy outlet for today’s youth.  Read the LA Times article

Compton Woodley Airport KCPM

Compton Woodley Airport Bret Hartman/For The Times / 12-10-2009

http://airnav.com/airport/KCPM

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FAA AD 2009-CE-039 Proposed for Piper Aircraft will affect 42,000 Aircraft

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

The FAA is proposing an AD related to the miss drilling of holes in the control wheels of several models of Piper Aircraft (PA-28 AD, PA-34 AD, PA-44 AD, PA-32 AD SEE BELOW) affecting nearly 42,000 aircraft.  Oops!

According to the FAA it is a mistake in manufacturing that has now been corrected.  FAA estimates $40 to inspect the problem, however their estimate to fix the problem for repair/replacement cost to involve 16 hours of labor at a total cost of about $1430 per airplane and oh yeah $150 for the part.

This AD  is not a rule yet and the FAA is accepting comments until 12/29/09 so if you own one I would comment! Go here to find out where to send your comments and more text of the AD.

Read more on FAA Site

Below is a list of affected aircraft

This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:

Models Serial Nos.
PA–28–140 28–20001 through 28–26946 and 28–7125001 through 28–7725290.
PA–28–150 28–03; 28–1 through 28–4377; and 28–1760A.
PA–28–160 28–03; 28–1 through 28–4377; and 28–1760A.
PA–28–180 28–03; 28–671 through 28–5859; and 28–7105001 through 28–7205318.
PA–28S–160 28–1 through 28–1760 and 28–1760A.
PA–28S–180 28–671 through 28–5859 and 28–7105001 through 28–7105234.
PA–28–235 28–10001 through 28–11378; 28–7110001 through 28–7210023; 28E–11 and 28–7310001 through 28–7710089.
PA–28–236 28–7911001 through 28–8611008 and 2811001 through 2811050.
PA–28–151 28–7415001 through 28–7715314.
PA–28–161 2841001 through 2841365; 28–7716001 through 28–8216300; 28–8316001 through 28–8616057; 2816001 through 2816109; 2816110 through 2816119; and 2842001 through 2842305.
PA–28–180 28–E13 and 28–7305001 through 28–7505260.
PA–28–181 28–7690001 through 28–8690056; 28–8690061; 28–8690062; 2890001 through 2890205; 2890206 through 2890231; and 2843001 through 2843672.
PA–28–201T 28–7921001 through 28–7921095.
PA–28R–180 28R–30002 through 28R–31270 and 28R–7130001 through 28R–7130013.
PA–28R–200 28R–35001 through 28R–35820; 28R–7135001 through 28R–7135229; and 28R–7235001 through 28R–7635545.
PA–28R–201 28R–7737002 through 28R–7837317; 2837001 through 2837061; and 2844001 through 2844138.
PA–28R–201T 28R–7703001 through 28R–7803374 and 2803001 through 2803012.
PA–28RT–201 28R–7918001 through 28R–7918267 and 28R–8018001 through 28R–8218026.
PA–28RT–201T 28R–7931001 through 28R–8631005 and 2831001 through 2831038.
PA–32–260 32–03; 32–04; 32–1 through 32–1297; and 32–7100001 through 32–7800008.
PA–32–300 32–15; 32–21; 32–40000 through 32–40974; and 32–7140001 through 32–7940290.
PA–32S–300 32S–15; 32S–40000 through 32S–40974; and 32S–7140001 through 32S–7240137.
PA–32R–300 32R–7680001 through 32R–7880068.
PA–32RT–300 32R–7885002 through 32R–7985106.
PA–32RT–300T 32R–7787001 and 32R–7887002 through 32R–7987126.
PA–32R–301 (SP) 32R–8013001 through 32R–8613006; 3213001 through 3213028; and 3213030 through 3213041.
PA–32R–301 (HP) 3213029; 3213042 through 3213103; 3246001 through 3246217; 3246219; 3246223; 3246218; 3246220 through 3246222; and 3246224 through 3246244.
PA–32R–301T 32R–8029001 through 32R–8629008 and 3229001 through 3229003.
PA–32–301 32–8006002 through 32–8606023; 3206001 through 3206019; 3206042 through 3206044; 3206047; 3206050 through
3206055; and 3206060.
PA–32–301T 32–8024001 through 32–8424002.
PA–32R–301T 3257001 through 3257483.
PA–32–301FT 3232001 through 3232074.
PA–32–301XTC 3255001 through 3255014; 3255026, 3255015 through 3255025; 3255027; and 3255051.
PA–34–200 34–E4 and 34–7250001 through 34–7450220.
PA–34–200T 34–7570001 through 34–8170092.
PA–34–220T 34–8133001 through 34–8633031; 3433001 through 3433172; 3448001 through 3448037; 3448038 through 3448079; 3447001 through 3447029; and 3449001 through 3449377.
PA–44–180 44–7995001 through 44–8195026; 4495001 through 4495013; and 4496001 through 4496251.
PA–44–180T 44–8107001 through 44–8207020.

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Posted in Aircraft, Airworthiness Directives AD's, FAA & Government, Flight Training, Insurance, Maintenance, Manufacturers, News & Stories, Ownership, Pilots | Comments Off

FAA finalized 51% percent rule on aircraft building

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

The FAA fortunately left the limiting language out of the new 51 percent rule that applies to aircraft owners building their own planes.

Here is the FAA rules for amatuer built aircraft

Here is the link to the FAA Advisory Circular 20-27G, on Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, which tells amateur builders on how to properly certify each step of the building process and help those guys, like me who would have to do the builder assist program to not only finish, but to get it right!   According to the rule existing kits will be grandfathered in under the new rules.

Thanks to our GA lobbists at AOPA and EAA for getting these things done right for us pilots and aircraft owners!

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Gulfstream Rolls out G250

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Gulfstream rolled out its new business jet in Isreal on Wednesday October 7, 2009 and it is now part of our performance and operating cost database as well.  Read more on the jet on Gulfstream’s site.

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Dassault Falcon 7x certified for steep Approaches

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

The Dassault Falcon can now get into to more international airports in London and Switzerland just to name a few now that it has certification for steep approaches or approaches with slopes of more than 6 degrees. This furthers the utility and convenience of general aviation travel for the business executive or personal traveler.

Link to Press Release

Photo below from Manufacturer

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Posted in Aircraft, Buying Or Selling, FAA & Government, Flight Training, Manufacturers, News & Stories, Pilots | Comments Off

Advertising for Private Jets brought to you by Oprah!

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Well this may be the one and only time you will ever see me blogging about Oprah Winfrey, much less giving her props.  That is not to say I don’t like harpO, but hey I am a male so generally speaking I am not her demographic so I guess it is okay huh?

Well Miss harpO did give a nice speech to the listeners at Duke University Commencement about the ‘American Dream’ and benefits of owning a corporate jet.  I think as a non pilot, but certainly as an avid aviation user and beneficiary Oprah conveyed what all we pilot types know.  Aviation, specifically general aviation and plane ownership, provides not only and incredible freedom and control of travel, but also can be a great business tool and an object of reward and pleasure from the fruits of your labor.

Thanks again Oprah for the ‘boost for GA’ although I wish my wings were a Bombardier Global Express, I will settle for just being able to get a Cherokee or Bonanza to get me there for now.

See to News Reference to her speech

Listen to an interesting story on the “American Dream” from national public radio here is the link, I listened to the broadcast on NPR

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