DUPAGE, Ill. — A federal plan to impose across-the-board spending cuts by closing 149 active control towers nationwide will compromise air safety and “should not stand,” according to Craig Fuller, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “The White House does not understand the consequences of these actions, or they do […]
Dynon employees building Glasair Sportsman
ARLINGTON, Wash. — Since there are quite a few pilots among the 60 employees of Dynon Avionics, it seemed natural that seven of them would come together to create a flying club. Calling themselves the “Swamp Creek Flyers,” they pooled their resources and purchased a Sportsman aircraft kit, which they will assemble through Glasair’s Two […]
Rare helicopter on exhibit at Oakland museum
Oakland Aviation Museum in Oakland, Calif., now has on display the Hiller Ten99, aka Hiller 1099, helicopter. This one-of-a-kind helicopter was loaned to OAM by the Hiller Aviation Museum of San Carlos, Calif. The Ten99 was built in 1961 as an experimental helicopter by Hiller Aircraft. The helicopter seats six and is similar in design […]
AEA convention opens in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — Nearly 1,500 avionics manufacturers, dealers, installers and other general aviation professionals have converged at the 56th annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show, which opened Monday, March 25, at the MGM Grand Hotel & Convention Center. The four-day event, which takes place March 25-28, is the largest gathering of avionics […]
New name for Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
POOLER, Ga. – The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum has a new name: The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. The new name is designed to reflect the museum’s role of telling the story of the Eighth Air Force to a larger audience. “What we do is all about education,” said Henry Skipper, […]
Construction begins on newest Goodyear Blimp
AKRON, Ohio — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has begun construction of the first of a new generation of airships to replace its fleet of blimps. The new Zeppelin LZ N07-101 airship, manufactured by Germany’s ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, will be assembled at Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake Hangar near Akron, Ohio. An agreement with ZLT Zeppelin […]
FAA to close 149 towers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA will close 149 federal contract towers beginning April 7 as part of the agency’s sequestration implementation plan. FAA officials made the decision to keep 24 federal contract towers open that had been previously proposed for closure “because doing so would have a negative impact on the national interest.” An additional […]
Lawmakers question choice to close towers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lawmakers are not happy with the FAA’s decision to close 149 contract air traffic control towers. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) wrote Friday to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, expressing concerns about the potential impact […]
Century of flight in Alaska to be celebrated
The Alaska Airmen’s Association’s Great Alaska Aviation Gathering will take place Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5. This is the 16th year for Alaska’s premier event for flying enthusiasts and families, as well as the state’s largest aviation tradeshow. One of the highlights of the show will be a celebration of a century of […]