Just published is “Lost in Heaven,” the story of World War II Tuskegee Airman 1st Lt. James Polkinghorne by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University aviation history expert Dr. Leo F. Murphy.
The book recounts Polkinghorne’s journey from his days as a bellhop at a Pensacola, Florida, hotel, to his service taking enemy fire over the skies of Italy. [Read more…]
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is now taking applications for its Edward W. Stimpson “Aviation Excellence” Scholarship Award, which comes with a $2,000 cash prize.
Named for founder and past president of GAMA, Edward W. Stimpson, the scholarship goes to a graduating high school senior [Read more…]
The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight, the Cessna 182 encountered ice that began to accumulate on the wing and landing gear. He then attempted to divert to another airport.
Ice continued to accumulate rapidly on the windshield and obscured the pilot’s vision.
He maneuvered the plane near the diversion airport for about 45 minutes, however the weather deteriorated, so he diverted to another airport. [Read more…]
Jim Gill submitted the following photo and note: “This little fella may someday become a pilot.”
By TED LUEBBERS
Members of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 534 had to learn how to rib stitch a wing by doing it. This was done at the chapter’s hangar at the Leesburg International Airport (KLEE) in Leesburg, Florida, Jan. 3, 2019 — a good way to start out the new year.
Most of the pilots and aircraft owners had never done this before as they had either built aluminum or composite aircraft. [Read more…]
CATALINA ISLAND – The Catalina Island Conservancy welcomed more than 70 U.S. Marines and Navy Sailors (Seabees) to Catalina Island on Jan. 9, 2019, as the troops arrived via helicopters at the Airport in the Sky to begin work on repairing the aging main runway at Catalina’s only airport.
They joined about 30 other Marines and Sailors who arrived the week before to work on the 3,000′ runway at the airport owned and operated by the conservancy.
The non-profit organization has entered into an innovative partnership with the US Marines and Navy to repair the runway to ensure the airport remains open while also providing the troops with valuable training in a remote location with difficult logistics. The partnership is part of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training Program (IRT), which matches community needs with military training opportunities. [Read more…]
Recently posted to YouTube by the Experimental Aircraft Association is an interview with airshow pilot Jeff Boerboon, who talks about what it took to build the remarkable Yak-110, and what it was like to fly it at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. [Read more…]
Rene Wilson of Columbia, South Carolina, has been selected to receive the Sporty’s Flight Crew Scholarship. Rene plans to use the $2,500 scholarship to complete his private pilot training. [Read more…]
Five new members will be inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in May 2019.
“In 2019, Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame will honor five individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Canadian aviation,” says Rod Sheridan, chairman of the board for the hall. “Honored this year are two fighter pilots of the Second World War who post-war continued in aviation development for the rest of their lives. As well, we will honor three individuals whose accomplishments in civil aviation have made advancements in the industry from the design and development of aircraft to building airlines.” [Read more…]
The sport pilot of the experimental, amateur-built, amphibious Buccaneer IIB flew to meet a friend to camp for the night along a river in Mayo, Florida.
He landed on the river to the north, flying over power lines during the landing approach, and pulled the airplane onto the shore. The pilot then offered to help his friend search for a life vest that had floated downstream after he finished unloading the gear from the airplane. [Read more…]
