GA News

Flying Magazine

1984 Piper PA-60-700P Aerostar highlighted as a rare, fast Ted Smith design

A 1984 Piper PA-60-700P Aerostar is the featured aircraft in an AircraftForSale top pick, noted for its rarity and speed. The Aerostar was among the designs of Ted Smith, whose career included designing World War II aircraft for Douglas before he turned to general aviation.

Flying Magazine

1964 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche reflects Piper’s move beyond its high-wing roots

Piper developed the Comanche as a sleek, modern competitor to Beechcraft’s Bonanza. The 1964 PA-24-250 marked a departure from the Cubs and other high-wing, rag-and-tube aircraft that had long defined Piper’s lineup, and is featured as an AircraftForSale top pick.

Flying Magazine

Arkansas pilot turns Cessna 182RG flight tracks into sky art

An Arkansas aviator is using ForeFlight and precision flying in a Cessna 182RG to create drawings in the sky. The resulting flight tracks turn routine general aviation operations into a form of aerial art, showcasing both careful flight planning and the creative uses of flight-tracking tools.

Flying Magazine

High activity

Students build Van’s RV-12iS, plan FAA inspection and sale to fund future projects

Students have built a Van’s RV-12iS kit aircraft, which will undergo FAA inspection and testing before it is sold. Proceeds from the sale are intended to support future projects, linking hands-on aircraft construction with continued funding for the work.

FlightGlobal

New Tecnam chief details private aviation push and US expansion plan

AeroTime

Civil Air Patrol orders 21 Cessna piston aircraft from Textron Aviation

Civil Air Patrol has ordered 21 new Cessna piston aircraft from Textron Aviation to support search and rescue, disaster response, pilot training and youth programs across the United States. The order adds capacity to a volunteer organization whose aircraft support both emergency operations and aviation education.

Aviation Week

High activity

Pratt & Whitney Canada unveils certified PT9 turboprop, claiming 33% more power at altitude and 20% lower fuel burn

Pratt & Whitney Canada has introduced the clean-sheet PT9, a certified turboprop in the 2,000-shp class aimed at next-generation single- and twin-engine aircraft. Transport Canada certification is in hand; the company says the engine delivers 33% more power at altitude and consumes 20% less fuel than previous-generation engines.

Flying Magazine

1946 Cessna 140 pairs a metal fuselage with practical taildragger utility

The Cessna 140, a 1946 taildragger, is presented as a polished, practical antique aircraft with a metal fuselage. Its construction and modern-feeling design set it apart from Cubs and other rag-and-tube competitors of the same era.