April 6, 2021, marked the 97th anniversary of the official start of the Douglas World Cruiser’s historic flight around the world. To mark the occasion, the Seattle World Cruiser Team put together a video that highlights events from that 1924 flight, as well as some milestone events from the project’s timeline.
Sport League racing season prepares for takeoff
The 2021 Sport Air Racing League season kicks off May 1, with races slated throughout the year. Billed as “racing for the rest of us,” the races are open to all pilots “who want to fly fast.”
Picture of the Day: Hells Canyon doesn’t look like hell
Alan Toy submitted this photo and note: “A view of Hells Canyon in Oregon from 10,500 feet.”
FAA video series gives GA pilots a preview of airports before they arrive
The FAA has produced a series of short videos — four to five minutes long — of actual approach, landing, and runway taxi scenarios at small and medium-size airports using Go-Pro cameras in a Cessna to create the GA pilot viewpoint. Graphics, animation, and runway diagrams have been added, along with a voice-over, to fully describe and educate about runway and intersection “hot spots” at specific airports across the United States.
Tuskegee Airmen to receive Clifford Henderson Trophy
The trophy is awarded to “…a living individual, group of individuals, or an organization whose vision, leadership or skill made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and advancement of aviation and aerospace in the United States.”
500 and counting…
Wipaire delivered its 500th set of 2100A floats in March 2021. They were installed on an Aviat A-1C-180 Husky.
Picture of the Day: How my blind son watches an air show
Joanne Greco submitted the following photo and note: “My son is totally blind. This is how he watches an air show. We bring a bunch of different planes that are usually at air shows. He holds them up in the air and I describe what they are doing. He tries to mimic the moves. He is learning all the correct names for the stunts. He is already flying planes and does a great job.”
If only…
Get-home-itis was the biggest link to the faulty judgment in this tragedy. It is a powerful force, so powerful that both men aboard were willing to risk single-engine flying over unlit mountainous terrain. In the middle of the night. Without an instrument rating. In smoke, clouds, and turbulence. With the moon adding all sorts of visual illusions — and with embedded thunderstorms along their route.
National effort needed to encourage students to pursue aviation careers
Inspiring young people and providing a clear pathway for students to choose a career in aviation is the goal of the task force, which recently held its second public meeting to discuss recommendations and strategies to encourage students to pursue a career in aviation or aerospace. The task force is made up of individuals from the aviation industry and the academic community.