FreeFlight Systems has debuted its line of RANGR 978 MHz ADS-B products including ADS-B transmitters, transmitters with WAAS GPS, transceivers and transceivers with WAAS GPS. The final FAA rule dictates that an ADS-B compliant system must have a high integrity position source and a radio that sends specific information from that position source to ATC. [...]

The Aircraft Electronics Association issued an update today that clarifies some of the issues surrounding the FAA recent announcement about phasing out 121.5 MHz ELTs in aircraft. The August date listed in the AEA Regulatory Update dated June 21 is the absolute earliest date the FCC rule could have become effective. Thanks to the efforts [...]

The Federal Communication Commission on June 15 published its Third Report and Order. In it, the agency said that, “After reviewing the comments [prompted by an earlier order], we conclude that we should prohibit the certification, manufacture, importation, sale or continued use of 121.5 MHz ELTs.

The Aircraft Electronics Association issued a press release on June 1 confirming that the FAA had published the ADS-B final rule on May 28. This final rule establishes equipage and airspace requirements and performance standards for Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out, which by 2020 will be required for aircraft operating in airspace now requiring a [...]

When a Lancair IV-P lost power, began leaking oil over the windscreen and eventually landed on a Florida beach, the subsequent crash set off a surprising chain of events. The pilot’s calm under fire has been overshadowed by the freakish outcome of the forced landing; a runner on the beach was struck and fatally injured [...]

This just in from the Through the Fence Organization. *** The “Community Airport Access and Protection Act of 2010” was introduced yesterday to Congress by the Honorable Sam Graves (R MO) and Honorable Leonard Boswell (R IA) to correct the FAA’s recent policy to prohibit “through the fence” access at any airport receiving Airport Improvement [...]

All paper Airman Certificates will expire on March 31, 2010, except for some temporary certificates and student pilot certificates. Otherwise, those who hold paper certificates will not be able to legally exercise the privileges of those certificates after March 31.

UPDATE, Monday November 9, 2009: Zenith has published the Safety Alert for the CH 601XL and CH 650 aircraft. On Saturday November 7, the FAA published a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin warning pilots and builders of CH601XL and CH650 aircraft to look for and adhere to a Zenith safety directive that should be published shortly. [...]