In aviation, improper aircraft maintenance can cost owners more time and money in the long run. When safety is a priority, regular upkeep is essential for ensuring optimal performance and protecting the lives of passengers and crew.  Neglecting maintenance leads to dire consequences, ranging from safety hazards to unexpected financial burdens. When essential upkeep is overlooked, the risks escalate, potentially resulting in costly repairs and operational disruptions.  Want to talk to an expert? Contact VREF today. 8 Critical [...]

Year-round aircraft maintenance might feel overwhelming when considering the time available to manage and maintain an aircraft or fleet. And throughout the year, you may encounter budget constraints, making prioritizing maintenance challenging. With so many challenges stacking against aircraft owners and operators from maintaining their fleets, we’ve acquired 10 essential tips for improved maintenance year-round. Get ready to uncover strategies to enhance upkeep, avert potential issues, and maintain peak performance throughout every season. Talk to a VREF expert [...]

Beechcraft Aircraft Born out of the Great Depression, Walter Beech founded the Beech Aircraft Corporation in 1932 out of Wichita, Kansas. With the demand for aircraft during World War II, Beech Aircraft boomed into one of the top three general aviation manufacturers. This continued until Walter Beech’s untimely death in 1950.  His late wife, Olive Ann Beech, was instrumental in the company’s development on the financial and operational side. She assumed leadership as President and Chairman of the [...]

Piper Aircraft Before it became Piper Aircraft, Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company was founded in 1927. Following the passing of one of the Taylor brothers, operations transitioned under the guidance of engineer William T. Piper in 1937. Piper Aircraft earned the title of the "Henry Ford of Aviation" during the Great Depression, thanks to Piper’s vision of an affordable, user-friendly private aircraft. The company introduced its first twin-engine model in 1954. It then established its headquarters in Vero [...]

Artificial intelligence (AI) in aviation is projected to reach a value of $90.38 billion globally by 2031 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.2%. The aviation industry is on the brink of advancements to enhance operational efficiency, boost safety, and elevate the overall passenger experience. And AI is simply a catalyst for the innovation we’ll see in the upcoming years.  Airlines and manufacturers are ramping up investments in AI-driven technologies, particularly in predictive maintenance as it [...]

Piper Aircraft In the early 1960s, Cessna Aircraft Company began refining its utility aircraft designs. Their versatile flying freighter line, exemplified by models like the Super Skywagon, gained popularity for its adaptability to various missions. After witnessing the success of these aircraft in cargo operations, many sought to capitalize on the growing market for rapid transportation services. Cessna's engineering team, led by experienced designers, worked to create aircraft that could serve multiple roles. During the development of the [...]

Cessna By Textron Aviation Clyde Cessna, who later founded Cessna Aviation, first became fascinated with aircraft at an aviation show in 1911. Leveraging his experience in mechanics and automobile sales, he built his own plane from a kit and eventually became an accomplished pilot. In 1916, Cessna was offered space in J.J. Jones Car Co.'s warehouse to construct aircraft under one rule – the first plane's wings display the name "Jones-Six". Despite challenges during World War I, he [...]

20 Questions To Ask When Buying A Pre-Owned Aircraft Using Information Online Where do I start researching aircraft information online…? You can start by joining VREF Online – a database of thousands of aircraft with historical information, aircraft specifications, and more. You can also: Look up the exact aircraft serial number Watch YouTube videos Listen to popular aviation podcasts Research aircraft manufacturers for valuable resources As you dive deeper into your research, you may want to jot down [...]

Comparing two of Piper’s most popular aircraft ever is hard to do without going into its lengthy history spanning nearly a century. Despite the early death of Gordon Taylor in 1928 and several bankruptcies, Piper still managed to be a top producer of American planes during World War II with the Piper Cub.  The Cub aside, many still enjoy discussing the differences between Piper’s Cherokee and Warrior models, tracing both model developments from the early 1960s to today. [...]