iFlyCoast

Royal Bahamas Police force pin down Barefoot Bandit

coastflighttraining — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:46:37 +0000

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has Colton Harris-Moore in custody after the latter’s attempt to escape. Harris tried to getaway with a boat whose engine was reportedly shot out by the authorities after leaving a $600,000 Cessna Corvalis which he stole from Indiana.

The Cessna was the fourth aircraft Harris allegedly stole together with two Cirrus SR22s and a Cessna 182. Harris has never had a formal flying lesson and it’s said that he learned only from Online Manuals and resource materials. He is currently held in Nassau pending an extradition hearing and it’s most likely he’ll face charges in the U.S.

Aircraft Expo in Arizona

coastflighttraining — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:12:52 +0000

Leading Aircraft dealers in Arizona are working together to for a 2nd Annual Airrcaft Expo to showcase the latest models of general aviation aircraft in one venue. For this to be feasible, three dates were set for prospective buyers to set their eyes on new models from Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond, Hawker Beechcraft, Mooney and Piper. The events would also provide an opportunity to speak with representatives from NationAir Insurance, Aero Credit Corp., Aviation Tax Consultants, and Airport Property Specialists on the details of aircraft ownership.

June 25th-26th
Prescott, Arizona – Legend Aviation
Ernest A. Love Field (KPRC)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

September 10th-11th
Tucson, Arizona
Todd’s Restaurant
Ryan Field Airport (KRYN)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

November 5th – 6th
Scottsdale, Arizona – Landmark Aviation
Scottsdale Airport (KSDL)
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Representatives form to address fuel issue

coastflighttraining — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:07:12 +0000

The US is said to consider adopting 94UL as replacement fuel to the 100LL fuel. Leaders of owner groups of Cirrus, Twin Cessna, Malibu/Mirage and Mooney have banded together to form the Clean 100-octane Coalition to address this fuel issue. Adopting the 94UL as a fuel source should mean expensive engine modifications, power de-ratings or quite possibly both, thus making owners of above mentioned aircraft vulnerable. The Coalition met with AOPA President Craig Fuller last Saturday to voice out their grievances against the issue. The meeting lasted a good four hours. What should’ve been a confrontation of opposite fronts turned out to be a collaborative effort towards a common goal.

AOPA President Craig Fuller says that the AOPA is committed to a solution that should work for all its members.

Cirrus uncovers new turbocharged model

coastflighttraining — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:04:02 +0000

Cirrus has introduced a new turbocharged model called the SR22T. The model which was rolled out in Dayton, Ohio at the Cirrus owners and Pilots Association Migration was a follow-on to the previous SR22TN. The SR22TN is a turbonormalized version of the IO-550-N installed in the normally aspirated SR22. With a ground-boosted TSIO-550-K with 315HP, the SR22T has five more HP than the previous TN Model. Cirrus also sees to it that it is fuel efficient by having low compression pistons with 7.5 to 1 (lower than 100 octane).

According to Cirrus, the SR22T is quieter and smoother than other models and possesses a new cowling design plus an oleo cylinder for the front landing gear. The SR22T’s prop is fixed at about 2500 RPM unlike the previous models’ retained cam-and-cable design for prop control.

Cirrus says that both the TN and T model shall be offered with the current model line with similar equipment and comparable prices.

Cirrus says the SR22T is also smoother and quieter than previous models and it has a new cowling design and an oleo cylinder for the front landing gear. While previous Cirrus models retain the cam-and-cable design for prop control, the SR22T’s prop is fixed at about 2500 RPM, sans the cam control.

Cirrus told us that both the TN and T model will be offered in the current model line with similar equipment and at comparable prices.

Why should I buy a plane?

coastflighttraining — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:02:27 +0000

For aviation enthusiasts, the fancy and pleasure of owning a plane is everything. That’s why it can be considered a burden to come up with a reason why one should buy a plane despite the high cost of the airplane itself and maintenance. However, there may be more benefits to buying a plane than one might think. Here are a few reasons why:

*The airplane can be a source of income.
*Flying saves time, time is money, thus flying actually saves more money. This is because it increases a business’productivity. Waiting for precious time to flutter by at the security gate is never wise, plus, most regioanl trips can be completed in a shorter period of time than flying commercially.
*Learning to fly is a personal challenge. Aviation enthusiasts have one goal in common: to learn to fly. While many people only dream to fly, not many people can fly mainly because of the lack of motivation. A good motivation to learn to fly is to buy an airplane, and it works vice versa too.
*There’s always a possibility for weekend vacations.
*An airplane purchase can be a depreciable asset. New tax laws have given more tax benefits to aircraft owners.
*Children’s learning experience are enhanced. Your child’s learning experience can be enhanced by flying. After all, the best teacher is experience. Even better than a good book.
*Flying and its therapeutical benefits. Flying can lessen stress and other physiological disorders. As the plane goes higher, the weight of life’s problems seems to go lighten up as well.
*Airplanes carry themselves as good status symbols. Everyone looks up to pilots, not only in a literal sense. An airplane is a symbol of a positive flow of cash.
*The fulfillment of the human spirit. Everyone has to fulfill their desires at one point in time. So what better way to fulfill the desires of being an aviation enthusiast than to buy your own airplane and get up there?

The Basics: Ground School

coastflighttraining — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:10:20 +0000

In ground schools, students learn about pilot license requirements, basic aviation terms and definitions, and federal aviation rules. Weather and reading weather forecasts made by the National Weather service are things that are also taught in Ground School. Cloud formations, different kinds of fog, are very important in terms of learning weather in ground school.

There’s also learning different types of airspace. Students must know the difference between uncontrolled airspace and an airspace with a control tower. Students must also know the different types of airports. While most airports have rotating beacons and runway lights. Small airports or private landing strips however, have special runway markings which students must eventually learn to read. for easy landing. The analysis of sectional graphs are also taught. These graphs are basically just aerial maps that tell the pilot about certain land markers, identify the type of airspace he’s into and the heights of objects in case they might come into his flight path.

Learning about aeromedical factors is vital in order to be ready for emergency situations in the cockpit is important and is also taught in ground school. Students would learn conditions such as vertigo, hypoxia and spatial disorientation anbd shall experience such especially when taking their own aircraft out for a spin.

Ground school will also teach students Aerodynamics, radio navigation, radio communication, aircraft performance, flight instrument and the use thereof, and weight and balance. The planning of cross country flights is paid special attention to by flight instructors. Instructors usually recommend study sessions and reviews before sending a student to take the written exam.

Airline pilots will be in short supply for the future

coastflighttraining — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:24:05 +0000

Airline Pilots will be in short supply and have lesser experience in the near future. NTSB exprts also said in a Safety Forum on Professionalism that they will also be less ethical. however, Paul Rice, pilot and spokesperson for Air Line Pilots Association was very skeptical about it given the current generation of nely hired pilots having no regard for authority of breaking the rules as compared to previous generation ones.

Former recruiter for American Airlines, Judy Tarver informed the panel that around 54,000 pilots are working in th emajors with about 19,000 in the regionals and 2,500 qualified pilots that are ready for hiring in the US. She also says that trends such as military, social, economic and industry trends suggests that demands will be met with lesser qualified candidates.

Input needed from GA Pilots for in-cockpit weather technology

coastflighttraining — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:46:50 +0000

General aviation pilots are welcome to contribute their knowledge and opinions about weather technology and the cockpit. NextGen researchers created an online survey that can collect information as to how general aviation pilots use weather technology and what options and functions they would like to have available for future versions. This should help the researchers based at the University of North Dakota integrate user needs and preference to different phases of flight. The University of North Dakota will have a report submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for the design and implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Click here to take the short and completely anonymous survey.

The University of Alaska and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are working side by side with the University of North Dakota to explore the best ways to implement and educate pilots of in-cockpit weather technology use.

FAA Bill stalled by FedEx Issue

coastflighttraining — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:30:47 +0000

After the Senate agreed to fund a Federal Aviation Administration bill, it seemed that the agency would end a long time of short-term extensions dating from 2007, but the bill remains stalled because of union rules. The bill has a provision that changes the status of FedEx workers now regulated under the Railway Labor Act, which also covers airlines. The bill would place the workers under the same rules that govern UPS Workers, the National Labor Relations Act. The Senate version of the bill doesn’t include the provision and both sides haven’t been able to accept their differences, thus the delay in sending said bill to the whitehouse. The Federal Aviation Administration has extended its funding to July 3.

Disputes seem unlikely to affect the main provisions of the bill and was welcomed by General Aviation groups. The railway act, FedEx argued, makes it harder for workers to go on strike or unionize.

Cirrus trends improves according to GAMA

coastflighttraining — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:10:13 +0000

The General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association says that Cirrus shipments have increased to 39 percent in the 1st quarter of 2009 with first quarter billings up by more than $6.7 million- 22 percent higher than last year’s.

Cirrus Aircraft has reportedly increased its airplane deliveries and market shares every year during the first quarter. Brent Wouters, Cirrus president and CEO says in a company news release: “We are obviously still working through a period of variable demand, even on a month-to-month basis. But these new numbers are the clearest signs yet that Cirrus is making sustained and measurable progress in spite of the inherent challenges in today’s market place.”

More information here.