Cessna must be feeling optimistic about the future. The company just opened the world’s largest GA maintenance facility, the Wichita Citation Service Center. The center, which took three years to build, has more than 443,000 square feet and can service more than 100 Citations simultaneously. The 1,600-foot-long building is equivalent to 2-1/2 city blocks or […]
FAA grounds entire T-34 fleet
The FAA grounded the entire T-34 fleet after it discovered that cracks on the wing spar led to the crash of a Texas Air Aces T-34 earlier this month. An Emergency AD, issued Dec. 10, grounds about 320 Beech A-34 and T-34 aircraft. The AD allows aircraft to be flown back to home base or […]
An easier approach
A stand of fir trees that partially blocked the final approach path to the city-owned airport at Blaine, Wash., was removed in October after more than two decades of struggle with descendants of the original landowner. It’s not just a victory for airport users, but helps ensure the airport’s future as well. The airport, designated […]
Continuing problem?
GAN has been one of the easiest to read. I enjoy the stories and letters to the editor, etc., until a few months ago. For some unknown reason, articles are being continued in other parts of the paper. I read part of an article and by the time I wade through the paper to find […]
High-flying book sales
Thought you’d enjoy this: My phone rings and the conversation goes like this: “Hi, I’m calling you from my airplane, I’m at 8,000 feet. My passenger is sitting here reading the review of your book in GA News (The Cessna 150 Primer, Nov. 12 issue), and he says I really need to buy a copy […]
More to the story than meets the eye
The first time I saw Sam Lyons’ print “”Shellightning,”” it got my attention. It is vividly colorful and it depicts one of the famous Lockheed planes, specifically one made notable by Jimmy Doolittle. Little did I know then the fascinating story of this plane, which was to unfold as I investigated its history. The plane, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Improper maintenance contributes to crash that kills one
These December 2002 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Rockwell Commander 114. Location: Hot Springs, Ark. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The airplane was en route to […]