Mac Little sent us these photos taken at the National Championship Air Races in Reno in 2017. [Read more…]
Pilot Perspectives: Rich Stowell
Visualize for a moment that you’re high above the ground, nose pointed skyward, throttle in one hand, control stick pulled into your lap with the other.
As the aircraft slows you peer over the engine cowl while working to maintain a steady altitude. In tandem a muted horn bleats with a blinking red light cautioning you, the pilot in command, that you are getting closer and closer to the edge of the aircraft’s flying envelope.
Just as the wings give in to the stall, you prod the airplane with full rudder and in an instant, it happens. [Read more…]
An unexpected package
An unexpected package was recently delivered to the FBO at Wautoma Municipal Airport (Y50) in Wisconsin.
“Upon opening it, we found a very nice framed “Thank You” collage from someone we provided emergency maintenance support to a couple flying their RV6A to Oshkosh for the 2017 EAA Airventure,” reports Larry Stencel. [Read more…]
Racers fly for Hurricane Harvey victims
Hurricane Harvey impacted the Texas coast and the city of Houston in unimaginable ways. The devastation was monumental and the coming together of people from all across the U.S. to lend aid was something even the movies could not have scripted.
The 2017 Galveston Island 150 Air Race was scheduled to run Sept. 9, 2017. It was rescheduled for Sept. 30, 2017, at Galveston’s Scholes International Airport.
All race entry fees are pledged to help hurricane victims, according to officials with the Sport Air Racing League. A raffle and silent auction will raise more money. One family has been chosen to receive all the donations. This is a family in dire need of assistance and it is a great pleasure to come to them in their time of need, officials noted. [Read more…]
Pilot shortage boosts enrollment at Embry-Riddle
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When Peter Wagner’s uncle introduced him to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds when he was in the fifth grade, he became hooked on learning to fly.
Recent stories about the commercial pilot shortage and a tour of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus while he was in high school helped finalize his decision to live out his dream.
The 18-year-old aeronautical science major from Mays Landing, N.J., is now part of the largest incoming freshman class in 15 years in the university’s flight-training program in Florida. [Read more…]
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum director to retire
Gen. J.R. “Jack” Dailey, director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, will retire in January 2018. With 18 years as head of the museum, he is its longest-serving director. [Read more…]
New officers and directors for NASAO
Members of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) elected new officers and regional directors for 2018 during its 86th annual convention and trade show held in Point Clear, Alabama.
Ronnie Mitchell, Aviation Division Director for the Nebraska Department of Transportation, was named Chairman of the NASAO Executive Board of Directors for 2017/18. [Read more…]
Missing bolt brings down Howard DGA
The pilot was en route to his destination when three to four miles before reaching the runway, he lost elevator authority. He used elevator trim and power settings to control pitch and descended over the runway in Englewood, Colo.
He was able to level off over the runway and tried to get the airspeed to decrease. The Howard DGA 15P descended, hit the runway, and sustained substantial damage to a wing strut. [Read more…]
The golden hour
Megan Vande Voort, whose husband, Shane, owns Classic Aviation at Pella Municipal Airport (KPEA) in Iowa, sent us these photos of a Cub at sunset. [Read more…]
Wielding the power to heal by air and sea
Historically, adversity brings out the best and the worst in humans. That’s certainly been true throughout America’s history.
Lately, we’ve had plenty of adversity on our plate, a sad reality that presents the opportunity for individuals to show grace and generosity — which they did. [Read more…]