There's still a big gap between the number of male and female pilots, but Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University makes sure all students are welcome and given every opportunity for success. AVweb's Mary Grady speaks with Susan Sharp, ERAU's program coordinator for aeronautical science and advisor for the campus chapter of Women in Aviation.
The credit market is still tight, but those who want to buy an airplane and have the financial credentials to match should have no trouble. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli talks with Jim Blessing of AirFleet Capital.
Lack of capital is slowing development of the Cirrus SF 50 jet, but progress is being made. AVweb's Mary Grady speaks with Cirrus Aircraft CEO Brent Wouters.
If you don't need all the bells and whistles, PS Engineering's new $995 certified audio panel might be what you're looking for. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli speaks with Gary Picou.
Expanding its services to members, AOPA is offering medical screenings at the AOPA Summit, provided by Cook Medical. Specifically, abdominal aneurysms are a concern for pilot medical issuances, according to AOPA's director of medical certification services, Gary Crump. At the Summit, Cook Medical has set up several private examination booths, and members can get their results before leaving the show. In this podcast, Crump tells AVweb about additional medical services being offered this year at the association's health section.
AOPA's annual meeting in Tampa has a fresh look, and it's challenged its presenters to come up with some fresh ideas on the future of general aviation. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with AOPA President Craig Fuller.
Looking for Efficiency? Try a Propeller By Paul Bertorelli At NBAA in Orlando, AVweb's Paul Bertorelli spoke with Hartzell's Mike Disbrow about new developments in the world of turboprops. Conceding that it has a bit of self-interest, Hartzell is pushing the idea that for efficient travel, you can't beat an airplane pulled through the air with a prop rather than pushed with a turbofan. And the market agrees with Disbrow. Turboprop flight activity hasn't taken near the hit that jet ops have, indicating that owners and operators are finding definite advantages in props.
Ferecla's Paint Restorative Products By Paul Bertorelli Faded and chalky paint is a fact of life for any aircraft owner, and, given the current economy, a fresh paint job isn't necessarily high on the to-do list. At NBAA 2009 in Orlando, Florida, AVweb caught up with Michael Pearson of Ferecla, a UK company with a full line of aircraft compounds, polishes, and waxes.
EAA Continues Search for President By Russ Niles It was hoped that a successor to Experimental Aircraft Association President Tom Poberezny would be announced at AirVenture 2009, but that attempt has failed. EAA is now planning to hire a headhunting firm to find him or her, and AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with the current president about the process.
Susan Larson, President of the 99s, on Amelia Earhart By Mary Grady As a new biopic about Amelia Earhart opens nationwide, 99s President Susan Larson talks with AVweb's Mary Grady about what the film means to her organization, how they got involved with helping to promote it, and Earhart's role in creating the 99s in the first place.
Crownair, of San Diego, is like hundreds of FBOs across the country in that they are living the downturn day to day. AVweb's Russ Niles speaks with Crownair CEO Ray Richmond about how FBOs are adapting to a new market and a new culture.
When birds see a pulsing high intensity light, they apparently get out of the way. Scott Philiben of Precise Flight speaks with AVweb's Paul Bertorelli about how Pulselite works.
The unique pusher twin from Italy offers an alternative to turboprops and jets. AVweb's Russ Niles talks with John Bingham about the company's new plan.
NBAA President Ed Bolen Sets the Tone for 2009 Convention By Russ Niles After a year in which business aviation has taken a public relations beating, National Business Aviation Association President Ed Bolen says the theme of this year's convention, which starts in Orlando on Tuesday, is to "demonstrate the value of business aviation." He talked to AVweb's Russ Niles about this year's meeting.
IFR Magazine Looks at Ice Flying with Jim Okanek By Jeff Van West IFR's Jeff Van West talks with Jim Okonek, the former owner of K2 Aviation in Talkeetna, Alaska, about what it's like to fly in seriously cold weather, his favorite way to get ice off the wings, and the perils and pleasures of landing on glaciers.
Above and Beyond By Russ Niles FBOs are in the service business, but what Pacific States Aviation (of Concord, Calif.) did for Shannon Biggs and Bryan Liang in September was pretty special. AVweb's Russ Niles speaks with everyone involved in a terrible situation that had a big bright spot.
No More Charts for Your FBO? By Glenn Pew When the FAA on October 5, 2009, changed the rules that determine to whom they'll sell aeronautical charts, the number of distributors shrank from about 2,000 to less than 300, overnight. Along with that came the very real possibility that your local FBO would be both regulated and priced out of the chart business. The folks behind ChartDealer.com fell into that category, but saw opportunity where many others saw an end. Now co-founders Kevin Laufer and Andrew Hartman believe they've found a way not just to keep their own chart business open, but to use the FAA's new rules to increase the number of physical, non-internet chart sellers available to you. AVweb's Glenn Pew caught up with ChartDealer.com's Hartman for details.
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