Archive for the ‘Pilots’ Category

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!

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.

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

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

There is FAME in your jet fuel

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Okay so this is classic!  Newest SAIB from the FAA is regarding FAME, yeah FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) in jet fuel.

Yeah a SAIB Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, that means what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right?

No it means that thank the Lord it is not an AD to cause you more billable hours at the mechanic, but according to the FAA it is “the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39″ so now that we cleared that up if you use Jet A, you might oughta read this one…

NE-09-25 – e Air – All/ All Models
NE-09-25 – lane – All/ All Models
NE-09-25 – lane – All/ All Models