Lombardo covers business aviation maintenance-related issues. He is also a writer and on-air reporter for AINtv. He has over 3000 articles published and is the author of several books on aircraft systems for pilots and on the topic of flight simulation.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Illinois, has taught aviation for over 35 years in industry and as a university professor and academic dean at three different universities. He is also a frequent seminar and after-dinner motivational speaker.&nbsp;
Lombardo holds an A&amp;P Certificate, ATP, CFI and Ground Instructor ratings. He was a corporate pilot and was a research pilot and flight instructor at the University of Illinois. An FAA Safety Counselor for over 25 years, he was one of the original 13 Counselors appointed to the FAA’s Airworthiness Safety Program for maintenance technicians.&nbsp;

Contributor

David A. Lombardo

Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) has announced that he and Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) are working on legislation to provide general aviation parts manufacturers with common-sense protections against lawsuits. “These lawsuits are driving up insurance costs and forcing some manufacturers to stop production on parts certified by the FAA,” Ehlers said.&nbsp; 
Ehlers’ announcement comes a month after Precision Airmotive, a general aviation parts supplier based in Washington, shut down production of its float carburetor because the cost of insurance exceeded total sales revenue. The company had manufactured carburetors since the 1930s, but despite what it describes as an excellent safety and sales record, it could no longer afford liability insurance to defend its product in lawsuits.
“The risk of frivolous lawsuits is making it nearly impossible for many aviation-parts manufacturers to stay in business,” said Ehlers. “We must tighten up current law to protect these manufacturers from damaging lawsuits while still providing safeguards to consumers. 
A common-sense reform will do both without driving manufacturers out of business, just as the original protections in the 1994 law restored growth in the airplane manufacturers industry,” he concluded. Ehlers noted that numerous manufacturers have cited rising costs related to litigation as a major impediment to their future operations.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Congressional protection proposed for parts OEMs

Rep.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul group has 52 line stations in the U.S. and Europe

FEAM Aero Will Support SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft Operators

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

40,000-sq-ft hangar allows company to expand aircraft maintenance services

Jets MRO Moves into New Digs at Dallas Executive Airport

Curt Epstein

The online tool helps operators find suitable service for aircraft

Aviation Heaven Rolls Out Global MRO Map

Projects were handled over a four-month span

ExecuJet Haite Pulls Off Embraer Legacy Triple Play

AmyWilder

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New probes will be available in early 2025

New Fuel Probes for Cessna Caravan to Launch in 2025

Matt Thurber

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Industry experts believed the FAA letter overstepped bounds

FAA Rescinds Burdensome Maintenance Interpretation

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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