There are many aviation records still to be broken. In fact, the National Aeronautic Association has a “10 Most Wanted” list of records, several of which go back to the 1930s. The oldest, from May 1937, is for distance flown over a closed circuit — without landing, of course — by a piston powered seaplane. […]
To Conquer the Air (Book Review)
“To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and The Great Race for Flight” by James Tobin. Tobin, who holds a Ph.D. in history, is a writer whose work has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. He traces the work of the Wrights and interweaves it with the efforts of others who were […]
Pneumatic luggage door approved for Pipers
Knots 2U, Ltd. has a new STC’d product for all Piper PA-28 models. Lift the luggage door a few inches and a strut will automatically open the door the rest of the way. Installation can be accomplished in less than an hour and the kit comes with all of the parts and hardware necessary. Introductory […]
Aircraft Spruce lists new wheel jack
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty has added a new wheel jack to its list of items in stock. Designed to be portable and stored in GA aircraft, the jack weighs just 4.5 pounds and makes it easy to raise an aircraft gear for tire replacement. Price: $94.50. For more information: 877-4-SPRUCE or AircraftSpruce.com.
New laser scanner improves portability and accuracy
NVision introduces the ModelMaker Z series laser scanner, which offers better portability and accuracy for inspection and reverse engineering. A new camera provides higher accuracy by resolving details half the size of those that could be captured by the previous model. The scanner can be powered by a battery for up to two hours of […]
Simple Structure: The SA-1 was designed to be simple, almost to the point of being crude
By PETER M. BOWERS. A major design objective of the Naval Aircraft Factory SA-1 of late 1918 was to have as simple a structure as possible. This was achieved, but almost to the point of being crude in some areas. The structure, particularly in the fuselage, has some features well worth considering for today’s ultralights […]
What’s up doc?
How important is your choice of Aviation Medical Examiner? Very important, it seems. I recently received two e-mails from a newspaper requesting information about a doctor who had lost his medical license, but continued to do FAA medicals. Apparently, the doctor lost his privileges at a couple of hospitals due to a head injury he […]
Teresa Arredondo: Former chili picker worked her way up the aviation food chain
By RUSS HULET When Teresa Arredondo tells you that every day is a new challenge, she isn’t just repeating a cliché from pop philosophy. She has faced a lifetime of challenges and persevered through all of them. One of 10 children and fatherless at age 5, she quit school, came to the United States from […]
Radio Flyer, Part 3: It’s in the plane, but how do I really use it?
In the past two issues, I have covered the decision process leading to selection and installation of the UPSAT Apollo Full IFR system in my airplane. My installation includes the GX60 IFR GPS/COM and dedicated indicator and associated annunciator panel, SL30 Nav/Com and dedicated VOR/ILS indicator, SL15 stereo audio panel with marker beacon and ICS, […]