Preliminary figures released by the National Transportation Safety Board this week show aviation deaths decreased from 574 in 2008 to 538 in 2009. Nearly 90% of aviation fatalities occurred in general aviation accidents (471), but they still represented a decrease from the previous year (494).
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Approved Model List expansion for AvTek’s Pulsar
The Pulsar-MOSFET Landing Light Flasher System from AvTek has received an expanded Approved Model List from the FAA. The AML expansion (which includes nearly all popular certificated aircraft) is applicable to either the one-light or two-light system. See the AvTek website for pricing.
Maverick first to market with LSA “Flying Car”
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft.
Terrafugia has been getting tons of press and no wonder. The MIT brain trust developing the Transition is breaking new ground in numerous ways. While we await their sophisticated “roadable airplane,” a simpler flying car concept won its SLSA approval Sept. 28. Entering the SLSA List at #110… welcome I-tec Maverick. Like Transition, this is one clever critter.
Unlike Transition, Maverick does not need to meet federal motor vehicle standards. It’s classified as a kit car and is thereby exempt from those onerous requirements. Though I-tec Design Manager Troy Townsend drove it 1,400 miles from central Florida to Oshkosh, Maverick was created to be more of an off-road vehicle. Company videos appear to show Maverick is well suited to this role (plus they’re well edited and fun to watch).
“The Orlando office of the FAA issued a historic Special Light Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate to I-tec,” stated the company. Troy clarified, saying this was “the first-ever certificate issued for a vehicle that drives and flies.”
Maverick is the culmination of six years of R&D by I-tec — the Indigenous Peoples’ Technology and Education Center — a Christian non-profit humanitarian organization based in Dunnellon, Florida. I-tec is lead by Steve Saint, who spent his youth in the frontier regions of Ecuador. He identified many of the primary requirements for what he calls a “frontier vehicle”: It must be rugged, and be easy to service in remote areas; use widely available automotive fuel; and be able to fly over terrain when the roads fail. Maverick fits the bill.
Maverick’s patented “Dual Drive System,” with “Integrated Controls” means it drives and flies using the same steering wheel and gas pedal. Powered by a 128-hp engine, the 900-pound Maverick can reach 80 mph on pavement. For pilots, the “Wing Deployment System” makes Maverick distinct. A carbon fiber mast telescopes up and by crossing the mast with a span bow at the leading edge, Maverick can maintain its parachute aloft after landing.
This permits the flying dune buggy to land in a tiny space with rough terrain that would not allow conventional lay out of a parachute canopy. The project aimed to fill a need for frontier transportation. The organization didn’t set out to become a manufacturer, so I-tec is entertaining the possibility of licensing production to an outside entity in order to concentrate on its “engineering ministry” focused on health care for people beyond the reach of medical services. Priced at $84,000, a few early buyers can qualify for $79,000.
For more information: Itecusa.org/Maverick.html or ByDanJohnson.com
View the original article here
Terrafugia has been getting tons of press and no wonder. The MIT brain trust developing the Transition is breaking new ground in numerous ways. While we await their sophisticated “roadable airplane,” a simpler flying car concept won its SLSA approval Sept. 28. Entering the SLSA List at #110… welcome I-tec Maverick. Like Transition, this is one clever critter.
Unlike Transition, Maverick does not need to meet federal motor vehicle standards. It’s classified as a kit car and is thereby exempt from those onerous requirements. Though I-tec Design Manager Troy Townsend drove it 1,400 miles from central Florida to Oshkosh, Maverick was created to be more of an off-road vehicle. Company videos appear to show Maverick is well suited to this role (plus they’re well edited and fun to watch).
“The Orlando office of the FAA issued a historic Special Light Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate to I-tec,” stated the company. Troy clarified, saying this was “the first-ever certificate issued for a vehicle that drives and flies.”
Maverick is the culmination of six years of R&D by I-tec — the Indigenous Peoples’ Technology and Education Center — a Christian non-profit humanitarian organization based in Dunnellon, Florida. I-tec is lead by Steve Saint, who spent his youth in the frontier regions of Ecuador. He identified many of the primary requirements for what he calls a “frontier vehicle”: It must be rugged, and be easy to service in remote areas; use widely available automotive fuel; and be able to fly over terrain when the roads fail. Maverick fits the bill.
Maverick’s patented “Dual Drive System,” with “Integrated Controls” means it drives and flies using the same steering wheel and gas pedal. Powered by a 128-hp engine, the 900-pound Maverick can reach 80 mph on pavement. For pilots, the “Wing Deployment System” makes Maverick distinct. A carbon fiber mast telescopes up and by crossing the mast with a span bow at the leading edge, Maverick can maintain its parachute aloft after landing.
This permits the flying dune buggy to land in a tiny space with rough terrain that would not allow conventional lay out of a parachute canopy. The project aimed to fill a need for frontier transportation. The organization didn’t set out to become a manufacturer, so I-tec is entertaining the possibility of licensing production to an outside entity in order to concentrate on its “engineering ministry” focused on health care for people beyond the reach of medical services. Priced at $84,000, a few early buyers can qualify for $79,000.
For more information: Itecusa.org/Maverick.html or ByDanJohnson.com
View the original article here
ADS-B stalls on takeoff
An FAA memorandum is causing severe turbulence for the early implementation of ADS-B equipment. The Aug. 30 memo mandates that all ADS-B equipment must be installed via a supplemental type certificate (STC).
In the memo, FAA officials state: “The FAA feels that TC, ATC or STC design approval is more appropriate to ensure consistent performance. It is expected that as both the FAA and the industry gain experience on these initial installations, that the FAA will allow other approvals, including field approvals.”
In a letter sent Oct. 4 to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, the Aircraft Electronics Association points out the unintended consequence of this action, and states the policy likely will kill not only early implementation, but also any innovation and new products that were expected to be brought to market to provide low-cost solutions for general aviation aircraft.
The policy specifically addresses the installation of products that meet TSO-C166 Revision “B” or TSO-C154 Revision “C.” This policy does not apply to Mode S transponder products that were certified to earlier revision levels of these TSOs.
AEA officials say they continue to work directly with the FAA concerning this issue, but notes that the association “cannot encourage or support the early implementation of ADS-B technology until this flawed policy has been resolved.”
For more information: AEA.net or FAA.gov
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