Patrick Desgens submitted the following photo and note: “Having recently passed my private pilot checkride, I picked up my two sons at Bromont Airport (CZBM) and flew them back to my home in Quebec City (CYQB). We landed just as the sun was setting. I finally achieved my goal of flying with my boys. The experience was memorable!”
America’s first warplane the belle of the ball at Oshkosh 2018
By MARTY STEINER
As has happened frequently in our nation’s history, we were not ready for a war that we entered. This was particularly true with aviation in World War I. It is ironic that the country that claimed the invention of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft did not have a single conflict-ready warplane.
But our friend and ally, England, did have such a design, but lacked the production capability to get many into the air. The deHavilland 4 was a state-of-the-art aircraft bristling with effective weapons that could truly be called a warplane.
Fast forward 100 years and the only totally restored DH-4 in the hemisphere made its public debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018, capturing an enthusiastic following in the aviation world that rivals that of a rock star. [Read more…]
Fifth anniversary for world record
It has been five years since Alexis Reichert broke the human-powered rotorcraft world record for women, according to officials with FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, which is the world governing body for air sports and for certifying world aviation and space records. [Read more…]
Video: Density altitude and the triple H effect
What causes density altitude and how does it affect your airplane?
You can find the answers to these questions and more in a new video from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute.
Here are the main takeaways from the short — just a little over four minutes — video: [Read more…]
ASTM releases new standards for seaplanes
A new ASTM International standardized practice will help determine “water loads” that occur during landing, taxiing, and takeoffs for water-based aircraft.
These planes must be able to safely react to the water loads, which are based on an aircrafts’ operating characteristics, ASTM officials explain. [Read more…]
New edition in AMT series released
The third book of the the Dale Crane AMT Series, Aviation Maintenance Technician: Powerplant, has been updated in the fourth edition to meet modern practices and procedures, according to officials with ASA. [Read more…]
Fuel mismanagement leads to forced landing
The airline transport pilot reported that, before the flight preceding the accident flight, he added 19 gallons of fuel to the Piper PA-30’s auxiliary and main fuel tanks.
He noted that he did not add fuel to the tip tanks and that he had used all the fuel in those tanks during the flight before the accident flight.
He then departed. During the flight, he only used the auxiliary and main fuel tanks and that, while on final approach for landing, he switched from the auxiliary to the main fuel tanks for landing.
Shortly thereafter, the right engine lost power and then the left engine lost power. [Read more…]
Picture of the Day: On cloud nine
Gord McNulty submitted the following photo and note: “Shown in their classic nine-plane ‘Big Diamond’ formation, the famous Snowbirds of the RCAF 431 Air Demonstration Squadron were among the highlights of the 2018 Community Charity Air Show at Brantford, Ontario, in August. The Snowbirds, flying the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, are now into their 48th season of thrilling audiences in Canada and the United States.”
Standing still too long
In my June column “Concern for the bottom line hurts general aviation,” I talked about the bottom line concerns of GA manufacturers. I received a significant amount of feedback, both positive and negative. I appreciate both types of feedback and I would like to address one of the comments.
Gbigs wrote: “There was never a time when the bottom line was not first order for a real business. Sure companies blow money on R&D if they can afford it, but make no mistake — there is no R&D without a bottom line.” [Read more…]
Czech Republic’s Sonka clinches hat trick in latest Red Bull Air Race
Crowds of Czech fans were cheering madly among the 40,000 spectators at the first-ever Red Bull Air Race in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Sept. 15-16, 2018. Their hero Martin Sonka won the race — his third in a row — and in doing so, climbed to the top of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship standings.
Defending World Champion Yoshihide Muroya of Japan was just 0.036 seconds behind in second place, while Australia’s Matt Hall claimed the third-place trophy on his birthday. [Read more…]