In 1998 Charles Spence – our beloved Capital Comments columnist – was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the National Business Aviation Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. We played a part in making sure Charlie (as we call him) and his lovely wife Majel could be on hand to accept the awards […]
Archives for 2014
Podcast looks to year ahead for GA
Even as the general aviation industry continues its gradual recovery from the Great Recession, the new year brings challenges both new and old for business aviation, according to a new podcast on the National Business Aviation Association website. Some of the considerations for the coming year include: Reconstituting the General Aviation Caucus on Capitol Hill; […]
A different kind of flying
Just released is this video of Red Bull Air Force member Miles Daisher, along with JT Holmes and Andy Lewis, base jumping off Fisher Towers near Moab, Utah. The Red Bull Air Force is made up of skydivers, BASE jumpers, wingsuit fliers, and paraglider pilots. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3HuRFLjT3U&w=560&h=315]
Living Legends of Aviation slated for Jan. 16
John Travolta, the “Official Ambassador of Aviation,” will host the Living Legends of Aviation, an annual aviation recognition event on Jan. 16, 2015 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. Kiddie Hawk Air Academy recently announced that Michimasa Fujino, founding president and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company, will receive the “Aviation Industry Leader of […]
Thorp destroyed in flight
Aircraft: Thorp T-18. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Pahokee, Fla. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: Family members notified authorities when the airplane was overdue. The wreckage was found in pieces along the route of flight the next day. It was determined that the pilot was operating under visual flight rules while receiving radar traffic advisory […]
Picture of the day: LSA in flight
Dave Fleming from Scottsdale, Ariz., submitted this photo of him flying in a 2013 SportCruiser from Czech Sport Aircraft over the Tonto National Forest area northeast of Phoenix, Arizona.
What is causing bent rods and sticking valves?
Q: I am acquainted with two IO-540 engines with 1,000-plus hours that have bent rods in the #5 cylinder and stuck valves in the #2 cylinder. One aircraft was manufactured in 2007 and the other in 2009. The oil has always been changed at 50 hours using Exxon Elite 20/50. Any particular thoughts? RICHARD WEICHMAN, via […]
Outlook good for third-class medical overhaul bill in 2015
As the year draws to a close, bipartisan support continues to build for congressional legislation to remove the third-class medical requirement for operating a variety of general aviation (GA) aircraft. Introduced last December by House GA Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-4-IN), the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2013 […]
Sensurion’s MP-1 opens Nevada UAS test site
BOULDER CITY, Nevada – Sensurion Aerospace‘s Magpie MP-1 officially opened Nevada’s UAS Test Range on Friday, Dec. 19. The Magpie MP-1 holds a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA and carries U.S. registration N106MP. “This is a great day for the State of Nevada, the FAA, and Sensurion Aerospace,” said Sensurion CEO Captain Joe Burns. “This is an important […]