Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Inn in Lake Wales, Florida, a paradigm of class and cuisine among airplane-accessible destinations, will be closing its doors Aug. 4. Looking for a buyer, third-generation owner Eric Hinshaw and wife Dee say it can be yours.... Continue Reading →
They reached for the stars
Posted on July 7th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
The pride of my small aviation art and poster collection is a glimpse into one of GA’s most daring – and star-crossed – new products. It’s time to dig out my prize Starship poster and look back on troubled times... Continue Reading →
Memorial Day: Early and late this year
Posted on June 19th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
Last month, it seemed that Memorial Day came early, didn’t it? Regardless of the calendar, it came early for some of my old buddies in aviation. And it came decades late for some World War II GA fliers I knew.... Continue Reading →
Was that cheering?
Posted on May 18th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
I’ve been a long-time skeptic about most General Aviation record-setting or publicity flights. Especially in this latter day of aviation, who is impressed? In any case, there’s a distinction between a flight purposefully pushing technology and the risky publicity stunt... Continue Reading →
Rockin’ the Runways
Posted on May 11th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
The passing of aviation’s glory days? Much has been said. Sure, people are now more fascinated with easier, trendier, more hedonistic things. So what’s a perennial air show to do after a 2011 performer fatality and subsequently cancelled air shows?... Continue Reading →
The Right Stuff for a post SUN ’n FUN trip, Part 2
Posted on March 27th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
As noted in yesterday’s post, taking one of the extra-cost “Up Close Tours” of the Kennedy Space Center can make this SUN ‘n FUN side trip worth the cost. For me, seeing the original Cape Canaveral was my ticket back... Continue Reading →
The Right Stuff for a post-SUN ‘n FUN trip
Posted on March 26th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
SUN ‘n FUN is coming up soon. If you are heading to the show in Lakeland, Florida, what else can you do while you’re in Florida? Of course, there’s always Disney World, but why not see the hub of America’s... Continue Reading →
Fantasy of Flight to close as tourist attraction
Posted on March 6th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
Kermit Weeks announced March 4 that Fantasy of Flight, his central Florida aviation-theme tourist attraction, will close to the public after April 6, the last day of this year’s SUN ‘n FUN airshow/fly-in just 20 miles down I-4. Continue Reading →
Tips for flying the media and other influencers
Posted on February 9th, 2014 by Drew Steketee
We often encourage activist pilots and airport advocates to engage the media and community leaders, including by flying them. For two-plus decades, that was part of my job. I had a few ironclad principles for this. A potential disaster with... Continue Reading →
GA’s ‘Voice in the Newspaper’ turns 90
Posted on January 23rd, 2014 by Drew Steketee
Today, a mailbox in Warren, New Jersey, should be overflowing with birthday cards and good wishes. The occasion? It’s the 90th birthday of Jack Elliott, longtime aviation columnist for The Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger. Longevity did not win this praise; it... Continue Reading →
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