Dave Stevens submitted the following photo and note: “My co-pilot, a poodle mix, is always ready, mutt-muffs on, in my 1959 Forny F-1.”
[Read more…]Do LSA make good trainers?
One of the controversies surrounding Light-Sport Aircraft has to do with that first word in that term: “Light.”
Early on, one LSA importer lobbied to remove the word as it was negatively viewed, he believed.
Indeed, outside of the LSA community, many pilots I’ve spoken to often say these aircraft are too lightly built to withstand the rigors of flight training, one of the more demanding of all aviation activities.
“Yes, an experienced pilot may love a LSA,” they may concede, “but these aircraft cannot hold up to regular flight instruction duty.”
Enthusiasts may be biased in favor of LSA, but what would an actual flight school operator say?
[Read more…]For the love of OSH
Dan Pimentel, the force behind the Airplanista Aviation Blog, has launched the new “For the Love of OSH” essay competition to help the Experimental Aircraft Association celebrate its 50th anniversary at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
New for this year, the competition seeks 500-word essays from people who have attended the big show to explain what AirVenture means to them. Besides conveying their admiration for the event, those who enter also will get a chance to win part of the $3,200 in prizes, Pimentel said.
[Read more…]KISM provides $190M annual economic impact
The Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) has an annual total economic impact of more than $190 million, according to a Florida DOT study.
The 2019 Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study reports an annual total economic impact of $190,943,000, which is an increase of $81.8 million from findings in a similar report published in 2013.
[Read more…]Japan’s Muroya wins Red Bull Air Race in Russia
More than 80,000 spectators at the Red Bull Air Race stop in Kazan, Russia, over the weekend of June 15-16, 2019, saw Japan’s Yoshihide “Yoshi” Muroya win his second race of the season.
Muroya also won the first race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
[Read more…]US Sport Planes expands
US Sport Planes, the U.S. importer for Jabiru Aircraft, has expanded its facilities at Denton Enterprise Airport (KDTO) in Texas.
The expansion includes more office area and increased hangar space, company officials report.
[Read more…]Non-certificated pilot crashes into house
According to a local news report, after the accident, the non-certificated pilot stated, “The wind got the better of me and the near-death experience is pretty interesting.”
[Read more…]Picture of the Day: My first solo in the R-22
Lindsay Petre submitted the following photo and note: “After many, many months of struggle and weeks of weather delays, it was finally a perfect day for my first solo in the Robinson R-22. Photo is by my CFI Mike DeMarchi.”
[Read more…]When 82 is more than two times 51
The belle of the ball at SUN ‘n FUN 2019 in Lakeland, Florida, had to be Tom Reilly’s XP-82 Twin Mustang. It’s one of just over 270 built, one of only five extant, and the only one flying in the world.
Conceptually, it looks like two P-51 Mustang fuselages sharing a common wing. But the truth is a bit more complicated, as almost no parts from a P-51 interchange with the longer and somewhat reshaped P-82.
Tom Reilly, who restored this gem in his shop in Douglas, Georgia, knows that all too well.
[Read more…]Video: Got questions about ADS-B?
A new video from the FAA is from a live presentation with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association delving into the ADS-B mandate. Issues covered include which aircraft must be equipped and much more. It’s more than an hour, but worth it to find out all you can about ADS-B.
[Read more…]