LeRoy Brown should hate me, but he doesn’t. He should at least be mad at me, but he isn’t — and for that I’m eternally grateful. You see, I met LeRoy in the worst of circumstances for an editor. We had published a story from a freelancer that told of the long-ago exploits of a […]
Aviation legend Evelyn ‘Mama Bird’ Johnson dies
Aviation legend Evelyn Bryan Johnson of Morristown, Tenn., died May 10, according to a report in the Knoxville Knoxville News Sentinel. She was 102. Known as “Mama Bird,” Johnson is said to have logged more flight hours — more than 57,000 — trained more pilots, and given more FAA exams than any other pilot on […]
DWI charge against former FAA administrator dismissed
The Driving While Intoxicated case that led to Randy Babbitt’s abrupt resignation as the FAA’s leader has been dismissed, according to a report at AOPA.org. Babbitt told reporters he bears no ill will against the police officer who arrested him for driving while intoxicated in December, after a Fairfax, Va., judge ruled May 10 that […]
Senate passes CAP Gold Medal bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A major step in the campaign to secure a Congressional Gold Medal recognizing Civil Air Patrol members’ service to the country during World War II was taken May 11 when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved S. 418, introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. “This legislation will offer long overdue recognition to a […]
Air Tractor joins GAMA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The board of directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has approved Air Tractor as its newest member. GAMA’s membership currently stands at 77 manufacturers. Air Tractor got its start as the Snow Aeronautical Co. in 1951. In 1958, Leland Snow moved the production facilities to Olney, Texas, where Air Tractor […]
Sporty’s Fly Away Cleaning Kit debuts
Sporty’s has assembled a pint-sized cleaning kit to keep in your airplane. One pint containers of an assortment of cleaning supplies will ensure your airplane gleams even after a long flight. The small size of the containers makes sure your weight and balance won’t be thrown off with bulky gallon bottles, company officials note. The […]
New Customs office in works at FAR
Hector International Airport in Fargo, N.D., (FAR) has broken ground on a new U.S. Customs office. The new facility is being built on the North general aviation ramp between two of Fargo Jet Center’s main hangars. “We are committed to a high level of service for our visiting international flights and a part of that […]
When can your AME make the call?
Did you know that there are five medical conditions that your AME doesn’t have to defer to the FAA prior to granting medical certification? That’s a fact that can make your path as an aviator easier to navigate if you develop one of these conditions, says Warren Silberman, former manager of the FAA’s Aerospace Medical […]
Mixed performance for general aviation in first quarter
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the industry’s shipment and billings figures for the first quarter today, showing a mixed performance across the different segments of general aviation. In the first three months of 2012, total worldwide general aviation airplane shipments fell 2.1%, from 377 in 2011 to 369 this year. […]