The Wright brothers taught themselves to fly. So did other pioneers such as Glenn Curtiss, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Casey Baldwin and many whose names are barely noted in aviation history. Some, notably the Wrights and Curtiss, quickly decided to pass along their hard-earned knowledge and the first flight schools were established. Every flight instructor since then […]
Micro Aerodynamics upgrades STC’d Vortex Generator kits for Cessna 180/182/185 models
Micro Vortex Generator kits have been approved by the FAA for an upgrade to the Cessna 180, 182 (including A & B models) and 185 series. The STC improvement, obtained by Micro Aerodynamics, involves mounting 18 VGs on each side of the vertical fin of each of the models and is now a standard feature […]
Part of “Winnie Mae” returns to Oklahoma
A piece of the famous “Winnie Mae,” flown around the world on a record-setting flight by Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post in 1931, was returned to Oklahoma City Aug. 23 during a welcome home party and reception at Wiley Post Airport.A wheel cover, or pant, from Post’s Lockheed Vega, it will be the largest piece of […]
A-maze-ing!
Pilots flying over western Washington State can see the future of Boeing carved in the local landscape. Boeing partnered with Stocker Farms to feature its 787 Dreamliner, the latest in a long line of airliners, as the design of the farm’s annual corn maze. The maze uses a series of trails throughout the 10-acre field […]
Sierra Stallion receives FAA approval
With the June 14th first flight only nine weeks old, Sierra received its STC for the Stallion. A Cessna Citation 500/501SP with more powerful Williams FJ44-2A engines, the Stallion is the latest in Sierra’s Citation product improvement program. Preceded by innovations such as the Eagle II, the Eagle 400 and Eagle SP, the Stallion enjoys […]
Takeoff
One of the best parts of AirVenture is when seasoned pilots are reunited with their former aircraft. For Roy J. Griesbach of Appleton, Wis., that reunion took the form of a ride in the EAA’s B-17 “Alumnium Overcast.” During World War II Griesbach was a member of the 91st bomb group and flew a B-17 […]
Aviation Benefits Everyone
The next time you hear someone disparage aviation, point out that everyone depends on it. Don’t believe that? Think about it. The food we eat now comes from all over the world. Delicate fruits and vegetables don’t arrive by slow boat; they are flown in, fresh daily, from places such as Chile, the Netherlands, Israel, […]
Oklahoma Senator takes on ADIZ but hearing is behind closed doors
U.S. Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), a long-time general aviation pilot, said in an interview at EAA AirVenture that the FAA “must justify continuance of the Washington, D.C., ADIZ” before his Environment and Public Works Committee will reauthorize it. Inhofe called a Sept. 12 meeting which top FAA, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security and […]
Must have books: 10 books to treasure
There are certain books that every pilot should own, read and treasure. Some are fiction, some fact, some seem to be a bit of both, but all are worth reading again and again. Most of us have favorite books on our favorite subjects. This list includes some of mine, along with reasons why I like […]