Blue Sky Network, a global provider of satellite tracking and communication solutions, has created a new service, software, and hardware plan designed specifically for pilots flying for the Department of Interior (DOI) in Alaska. As of May 1, the DOI requires that all aircraft flying any of its personnel or cargo be equipped with Iridium […]
Archives for 2011
‘The Pilots’ Guide to the Airports of Historic Massachusetts’ published
Just released is “The Pilots’ Guide to the Airports of Historic Massachusetts” by John Fiske. The book covers the history, area attractions and aviation lore of the Commonwealth’s 38 airports. Says Fiske, “I came up with the idea for the Pilots’ Guide when making plans to fly into every airport in Massachusetts. While working on […]
PowerNap Inventor offers to help controllers fight fatigue
Jonathan Husni, MBA, IT expert and inventor of PowerNap audio products, has offered the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), 100 PowerNap CDs and a 50% discount on his company’s PowerNap Machine, if it will try his technology as a solution to the fatigue problem that has caused […]
House promoted to Sierra Industries GM
Sierra Industries has promoted Jamie House to General Manager. In her new role, House will take over day-to-day corporate management for the South Texas business jet maintenance and modification facility. House brings a broad portfolio of management experience to her new role, having held a variety of positions at Sierra since originally joining the company […]
Failure to follow checklist puts plane in park
This May 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Cessna 210. Injuries: None. Location: Seattle. Aircraft damage: Minor. What reportedly happened: During the descent for landing, the pilot did not use the checklist, […]
The allure of Warbirds, Part II
In the first part of this story, I chronicled my flight with the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team at this year’s Sun ’n Fun. At the end of the flight, Steve Gustafson, who flies the left wing slot for the team, sighed and said, “And back to reality.” I was struck by Gustafson’s remark because I’d heard […]
FAA to modify knowledge exams
The FAA will immediately reverse some of the changes made to the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) knowledge test, review others, and regrade tests taken since February when pass rates plummeted. The reversal comes after FAA officials met in early May in Oklahoma City with officials from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the National […]
SwiftFuel meets new ASTM standard
Swift Enterprises, Ltd. has been developing an unleaded replacement for aviation gasoline for the last five years, called 100SF. One of the milestones in the path to commercialization of the new fuel is the publication of a specification by ASTM International that defines their fuel. That happened in early May when ASTM International approved a […]
Senators back move to protect GPS
A coalition of 33 senators, including 13 who are members of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, have asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to rescind wireless network operator LightSquared’s approval to expand until the company can demonstrate that signals from tens of thousands of ground stations won’t interfere with GPS reception. The letter comes after […]