Frequent contributor Jim Roberts sent us this photo he took at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 of a Howard DGA spinner. N1785H is owned by Jim Kreutzfeld, he added.
[Read more…]Miscommunication common at airshows
For three years in the 1990s, I co-chaired a committee that put on an annual airshow at Compton/Woodley Airport (KCPM) in California.
Actually, it was an “air faire” because 99% of the planes that flew in to participate were put on static display. A lone army helicopter always performed an aerial demonstration.
One year a private pilot offered to give kids free rides in his plane. Another year a local helicopter flight school offered free rides to kids.
Otherwise, the only reason a plane was in the air was because it was arriving for the festivities or getting straight outta Compton en route to a home field.
[Read more…]Tips for that first flight after maintenance
As part of the FAA’s #FlySafe campaign, the agency recently released some guidance on incorporating safety into that first flight after your plane comes out of maintenance.
Do you know how to properly preflight your aircraft after maintenance? According to FAA officials, many pilots secretly admit that they don’t quite know what they are looking for. As a pilot and aircraft owner, it is in your best interest to know and understand every component of your aircraft.
And you may think you have even less to worry about after your aircraft comes back from the shop. It should be in great shape, right?
Actually, aircraft just out of maintenance are more likely to have safety-of-flight issues than an aircraft in good condition flown on a daily basis, according to FAA officials.
[Read more…]Video: The nicest Zenith 701 ever built
The Experimental Aircraft Channel recently released a two-part video series on YouTube featuring Jon Humberd of Cleveland, Tennessee, and his Zenith Aircraft CH701 “SUPER 701,” as he has named it.
That was followed up a video from Sebastien Heintz, Zenith Aircraft‘s president, that features Humberd’s SUPER 701 competing at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association STOL competition in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Sept. 14. Check out all three videos below:
[Read more…]Piper apprenticeship program takes off
VERO BEACH, Florida — Piper Aircraft‘s first group of apprentices have begun their two-year program.
The first nine apprentices, who started work in August, shadow skilled aircraft assembly workers and learn all aspects of fabrication and assembly of aircraft during the two-year initiative.
Additionally, they attend technical classes and receive hands-on training designed to qualify the participants as a Journeyman in Aircraft Assembly. Each apprentice is a paid employee of Piper Aircraft and receives a full benefits package.
[Read more…]Failure to remove engine cowl plugs results in crash
The FAA aviation safety inspector reported that, during a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that, during the climb, he noticed the engine cylinder heat temperature gauge exceeded 500°F.
He immediately turned back to the departure airport in Orange, Massachusetts. While in the downwind for the landing runway, the engine lost power.
[Read more…]Picture of the Day: A true warbird
Brittany Sena submitted the following photo and note: “A 1946 L-16 at the 2019 Dayton Airshow. This L-16 is a true warbird that is still fully functioning and was used as an Army Air Force plane before becoming used as a plane for the Civil Air Patrol.”
[Read more…]A treasure awaits in the White Mountains
Let’s get right to the point. Ron Carlson would like to give you $30,000. Really. If not you, then someone very much like you. And he’s dead serious. All you have to do is find the location of his TBM Avenger, N337VT. That’s it.
Admittedly, collecting on the reward will be a little tougher than heading down to the airport, flinging open a hangar door, and shouting, “Ta da.”
7VT is truly lost. She’s deep in the mountain forests and valleys of northeast Arizona. But there are clues to its likely whereabouts. Tantalizing clues that narrow the search field considerably.
[Read more…]Video: Lessons from the Draco crash
Mike Patey just posted a video to YouTube shot just moments after he crashed Draco, his short takeoff and landing aircraft at Reno/Stead Airport Sept. 16.
“I’m heartbroken. I will learn from my mistake, maybe showing where I failed others may learn as well,” he says, adding the accident was “100% his fault” and that “this is going to haunt me for a long time.”
[Read more…]Limited edition watch commemorates AOPA 80th anniversary
Mühle-Glashütte has released a limited-edition watch to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Just 500 of the AOPA AeroSport Limited Edition watches will be sold.
[Read more…]