When he signed the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, President Donald Trump changed everything at SUN ’n FUN — at least for this year. That’s because included in the bill is a requirement that the FAA cover all costs […]
Buddies embark on an aviation trip of a lifetime
When buddies Trey Brewer and Shiloh Dudley took off from St. Augustine, Florida, Friday morning March 23, 2018, they knew they were embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. And they wanted to share that adventure with the world. To do that, they created Aviation Overland Adventures, a YouTube channel where they will document their […]
A museum that proves nothing is impossible
Imagine this: A woman who moved to Oklahoma in a covered wagon has a son who grows up to fly to the moon. It’s not the beginning of an epic movie, but the real life of one of the state’s shining stars, Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford. Now 87, Stafford finds time every day to […]
The magic of making dreams come true
This story was updated in 2023 to reflect the new name of the organization from Ageless Aviation Dreams to Dream Flights. Back in 2011, Darryl Fisher took a flight that changed his life — and the lives of thousands of veterans and senior citizens. On a cross-country trip in a Stearman with his father, Darryl […]
Love is in the air — and on the water
As Valentine’s Day approaches, men around the globe are preparing to ask the most important question of their lives: Will you marry me? And many who want to make the proposal unforgettable turn to the skies — and the seas. Seaplane tour operations around the country report an uptick in proposal flights around this time […]
New airport opens on a bet
Dianna Stanger opened her new airport in Texas on a bet. “It actually started out as a bet,” she said. “My husband has his own golf course, Wolf Point Club, and I’m not a golfer at all, but he wanted to make our primary residence at the golf course because he was there every day. […]
Pilots deliver good cheer to Michigan foster kids
The first weekend of December is marked on many pilots’ calendars every year in Michigan. That’s when Operation Good Cheer takes off. General aviation pilots join hundreds of other volunteers to ensure that children in foster care have a merry Christmas. This year, Operation Good Cheer delivered at least three gifts to 6,453 children — […]
Russia-based Stinson 108-1 project back on track after finding needed engine part
In October, Ask Paul columnist Paul McBride, who retired after 40 years with Lycoming, received this letter from Mike Stolyarch in far-off Russia: “In order to be completely confident in my engine, I decided to do a major overhaul of the O-435A on my 1947 Stinson 108-1. I have already found all the necessary spare parts, […]
10 things you don’t know about the Civil Air Patrol
While some missions may not be a surprise — including the rush of hurricane-related flying towards the end of the fiscal year — other missions are not what most of us traditionally consider when we think Civil Air Patrol.