Saturday at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebing, Florida, dawned sunny and warmer. The show itself seemed sunnier with a weekend crowd. I can’t understand why organizers scheduled so many weekdays and omitted the Sunday of a three-day holiday weekend. The trade show element (industry meetings, et. al.) can surely be done on Thursday and Friday, leaving Saturday and Sunday for good weekend crowds. [Read more…]
Is the glass half empty or half full?
I finally got to the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, this year. I had two distinct impressions of the event — known by most as the Sebring LSA Expo — and, by extension, the state of the LSA industry. Perhaps it was because I hung out with two very different friends over two days — one con, one a believer. [Read more…]
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…]
One dicey noise flap
A flying buddy emailed me about the big noise flap at East Hampton Airport near the tip of New York’s Long Island. In fact, I’ve been watching since The New York Times covered it this summer. Now, with federal grant assurances set to expire Dec. 31, there may be a tricky crossroads ahead for general aviation.
AOPA regional fly-ins: The votes are in
It’s in the record books: The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s sixth and last new regional fly-in — seven if you count the heavily-attended Homecoming to AOPA HQ in Frederick, Md. How did it go, this change from one big annual convention? What was gained and what was lost?
Bob Hoover honored
The National Business Aviation Association convention draws aviation’s elite and honors a few each year. This time, heartfelt kudos were laid on Bob Hoover as NBAA presented him its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, its highest honor. A five-minute video included tributes from Clay Lacy, Harrison Ford, astronaut Gene Cernan and many others to explain why.
NBAA14 also highlights utility GA, innovation
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention in Orlando Oct. 21-23 was termed a “massive success” by NBAA President Ed Bolen. Always is. Despite some down years, corporate aviation is booming (comparatively) and attention and spending follow the money. But there’s always more to NBAA than corporate jets.
Answering a kid’s question
“How can you fly visually, just looking out the window?”
So asked our smart-beyond-his-years 13-year-old friend back home in Virginia. The question really set me off. In his devotion to computer flight sims, he was starting at the top and working his way down! Sure, he could “land” a virtual 757, but was clueless about basic realities.
VFR sectional? There’s more to know
One way to avoid mid-air surprises is to know where likely traffic is coming from. That’s easier said than done outside your local area. It’s really tough for new pilots still learning the ropes.
When I was a student in the mid-1960s, I already knew the FAA said to watch out around VORs, where traffic converges. But on a solo stint out to a “distant” VOR, the lesson came in spades.
Flying the Searey
I’m retired, so officially every day is a day off. But I do a lot of writing and lately, I’ve been looking for a little more fun in my new home state of Florida. Last week, I kicked around some boat clubs and breezed through the sailboat ads. Then, my EAA chapter emailed that Searey was bringing its seaplanes to the Spruce Creek Fly-In community.
I loved the pilots-eye video of flying this most successful LSA seaplane. I wanted to know more. So I went to the company, based in “America’s Seaplane City” of Tavares, Florida.