About 55% of the civilian pilots in the United States require some sort of vision correction to meet the FAA’s requirements for medical certification, according to the FAA. While glasses are the most common choice, a growing number of pilots are choosing laser refractive, or LASIK, surgery. The procedure alters the curvature of the cornea […]
Go online to speed up the process
The FAA is expected to launch MedXPress, an online system that will allow pilots to electronically complete their applicant information on FAA Form 8500-8 before going to their AME’s office, sometime soon. Yet another effort to speed up the medical process, the system is designed to be as user friendly as possible. While initially slated […]
Toxo: Soaring into the second century of flight
It was a decade ago that Composite Aeronautic Group of Spain was founded with one goal in mine: design and produce a Light Sport Aircraft that would bring together the simplicity and low cost of an LSA with the performance and utility of a more complex and expensive airplane. The Toxo is the culmination of […]
‘Diamond Lil’ undergoes extreme makeover: Reconfiguation may bring name change
The Commemorative Air Force’s “Diamond Lil” may be no more. The B-24, the oldest in existence, is in the midst of a restoration that will return it to its original B-24A status. Based at the B-29/B-24 Squadron at the CAF’s Midland, Texas, headquarters, “Diamond Lil,” was put in the paint scheme and markings of the […]
Wiley Post Spirit Award presented to international aviator for first time
This month the Wiley Post Commission will present Jon Johanson with the Wiley Post Spirit Award. Johanson, a nurse and midwife from Australia, is the first international award recipient. His accomplishments include being the first person to fly solo over the South Pole in a single-engine aircraft and the first person to circumnavigate the world […]
ANOTHER TRIBUTE
On July 26, 2003, the town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, (pop. 1,100) honored its most famous resident, Janusz “Zura” Zurakowski, the first test pilot to fly the Arrow, by dedicating a park and future museum to him. The arrow-shaped park, located across from the town’s railroad station, contains a large-scale replica of the Avro Arrow […]
Airports install DigiWX AWOS
Two Montana airports have installed the DigiWx II AWOS automated weather observation system manufactured by Belfort Instrument Co: Libby (S59) and Red Lodge (RED). Both airports use the DigiWX II as the primary weather reporting station supporting flight operations. The DigiWX II reports wind speed, wind direction and wind gusts, temperature, relative humidity, FAA certified […]
Light the way with FLITELite
FLITELite, a hands-free LED flashlight custom fit to your specific aviation headset microphone, is now compatible with the new David Clark X-11 Headset. FLITELite also has a full line of wire boom adapters for David Clark, AVCOMM, and Soft Comm headsets. For more information:
New exhaust systems for Van’s unveiled
Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc., has unveiled its Enhanced Performance “4 INTO 1” exhaust systems for Van’s RV series of aircraft. “These exhaust systems will provide homebuilders with the enhanced performance and economy they seek,” says AWI President Tom Heid. These “4 INTO 1” systems provide increased performance and closer EGT temps between cylinders, he adds. […]