Gene Lee sent int this screen shot from his Go-Pro camera of a recent aerobatic flight he took with former SR-71 Blackbird and F-4 Phantom pilot Colonel Richard Graham. [Read more…]
Picture of the day: Over the top
Ferry flight to Florida
Bay Bridge Airport, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore across the Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis, is a special place to fly. It’s even more attractive now with two flight schools specializing in light-sport aircraft (LSA). One recently posted an opportunity that can arise from time to time. When you see one like this, grab it if you can. [Read more…]
FAA halts night flights into Daniel Field
Daniel Field in Augusta, Georgia, has some big problems with trees, light poles and other structures getting in the way of safe landings for planes at night, according to a report from The Augusta Chronicle. Daniel Field, managed by operations company Augusta Aviation, has spent more than $30,000 conducting land surveys, removing 30 trees and installing red blinking lights on top of the Newman Tennis Center clubhouse and light poles, the report quotes Becky Shealy, vice president of business development for Augusta Aviation. But until the FAA says planes can land on runways without flying dangerously close to trees and structures, the agency has halted night flights into the GA airport.
Aviation in the movies
Aviation in the movies will be the focus of the Living History Flying Day Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, Calif.
Museum to host Discover Your Future in Aviation
HONOLULU — Young people interested in aviation as a career, as well as school groups, Scouts, and families are expected to attend Discover Your Future in Aviation at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Saturday, March 7, from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
Lapizta premieres aviation-inspired watch
Super Decathalon weathervanes on landing
Aircraft: Super Decathalon. Injuries: None. Location: Melbourne, Ark. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, the accident happened during a landing attempt. He intended to perform a three-point landing.
Picture of the day: Reflections
Penny Hamilton from Colorado sent in this “artsy” photo — as she calls it — of a plane’s “own reflection in its shiny nose.” [Read more…]
It’s called Expo, y’all
As I sit down to write this morning the thermometer is nudging its way toward 80°. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the breeze is slight enough to be refreshing without mussing even the most carefully coiffed hairstyle. Welcome to central Florida. This is winter at its finest.
I mention this meteorological trivia because at this exact moment it is well below freezing in Chicago, Cincinnati is frigid, New York is brisk, and I’m not even going to mention the forecast for Minneapolis/St. Paul. It’s too cold for a resident of the Sunshine State to ponder. All of which adds up to very little general aviation activity happening in the northern climes, while an abundance of snowbirds and locals find a way to get into the air today down south.
General aviation activity is so prevalent here during this otherwise inclement time of the year, in only a matter of days the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo will get underway in Sebring, Florida.
Minter Field: A nest of eagles
By TRACY THURMAN
When you fly into Minter Field (KMIT) in Shaftner, Calif., you notice a sprawling, fairly quiet airport situated in the heart of California’s central valley. It is flanked to the east by industry and Highway 99. The other three sides are surrounded by farm lands and orchards. Keep your eyes open for crop dusters who work on and around the airport.
It doesn’t look like much as you make your downwind, but under the veil of dust is a nest of eagles. There’s lots of history and some really cool aviation stuff going on here.