Fewer pilots are checking in with Flight Service specialists about the weather before a flight, with more and more using apps and online resources, according to the latest Weather Survey from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Other key findings show the importance of the FAA’s Weather Camera Program, and the reasons why pilots don’t file PIREPs.
Massachusetts Senate tables $1,000 landing fee proposal
The proposed bill, which drew strong criticism from the general aviation and business aviation community, has been “reported to study,” which means it won’t advance any further in the current legislative session.
New hangar in the works at KHZL
Half of the new hangar will be home to a charter company, while the other half is still available to lease.
Picture of the Day: Lift-off from Harper International Airport
Robert “Bob” Bement submitted this photo and note: “I sometimes fly out to visit a friend who runs the Harper service station. There is no airport, so I just land on the road. It is fairly level but has a little dog leg in it. A fellow at the station took this picture of me in my 1969 straight-tailed 182 Cessna taking off from road. I thought he did a great job of getting this lift-off picture.”
Pandemic puts dent in outlook for pilots and technicians
An uneven recovery from the market turndown cause by the pandemic means a 20% drop in the predicted demand for pilots in the next 20 years and a 15% drop. Even so, Boeing’s annual outlook notes that opportunities for aspiring aviators “abound” while companies will face “stiff competition in recruiting and retaining top tier talent.”
Piper teams with International AeroTech Academy for next generation of workers
Students get the chance to interview for a job at Piper Aircraft’s manufacturing facility in Vero Beach, Florida, before they begin training for their Airframe and Powerplant ratings.
Companies team to develop technology to warn of potential mid-air threats
The collision avoidance safety system will use computer vision and machine learning to “see” when another aircraft is approaching from outside the pilot’s field of view and poses a risk, issuing 3D audio warnings.
Pictures of the Day: Lonely plane
Gary Lanthrum submitted this photo and note: “My Maule MX7-180C parked on the Alvord Desert in Southeast Oregon. I went for star gazing and the quiet of the desert. When unpredicted storms rolled in, there were no stars and the howling winds killed the quiet. It was still an adventure to remember.”
New advocacy group, Friends of Aviation, takes off
“Our goal is to build a grassroots community of aviators to help prevent airport crisis and closure,” Friends of Aviation founder Andrew Crider said. “After COVID, the aviation industry is in crisis. Airports all around the country are facing more threats than ever before.”