At this year’s SUN ‘n FUN, visitors saw a fuel truck with Swift Fuels emblazoned on its side. It was there to promote the company’s unleaded UL94 avgas, the first of the company’s products to make it to market. “We introduced the 94 fuel two and a half years ago to make it clear that this stuff is […]
The Sherpa saga
More than two decades ago — in 1994 — the Sherpa made its Oshkosh debut. Heralded as a “Super Cub on steroids,” the airplane drew a lot of attention. But not much action. The first design, a five-place STOL aircraft powered by a Lycoming IO-720 400-hp engine, morphed five years later into an eight-place version […]
Michael Goulian kicks off 30th year as airshow star
When Michael Goulian took to the skies on opening day of SUN ‘n FUN, it was a performance he’ll remember. As he kicked off this year’s airshow season at SUN ’n FUN, he also kicked off his 30th anniversary of performing in airshows. Goulian’s first airshow flight was a home affair at Hanscom Field in […]
Celebrating the Bonanza
It’s an iconic airplane that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. About 17,500 Bonanzas have been produced over the past seven decades, with production still continuing, but at a much lower rate. In 2016, 25 Bonanzas were produced by Textron Aviation, which bought the Beechcraft brand in 2014. The Bonanza is also a plane […]
The Doctor Killer
While the Beechcraft Bonanza has a loyal following, it also has an infamous moniker: The Doctor Killer. It gained that name decades ago following a spate of high-profile crashes, with many of the pilot doctors. In fact, that spate of accidents was part of the reason for the creation of the Beechcraft Pilot Proficiency Program […]
Teen flies around the world in a Bonanza
For his next challenge, Guthmiller, a student at MIT, has launched a new series on YouTube to share some of his most interesting flights and experiences, with the ultimate goal of “spreading aviation even further.”
Beech homecoming
As the Bonanza celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, there’s another big celebration in the works: The 50th anniversary of the American Bonanza Society (ABS). ABS officials are planning an “epic” event in September to commemorate the Golden Anniversary in — where else? — Wichita, where the Bonanza was born seven decades ago. “We call […]
Two is better than one
When looking at the American Bonanza Society’s offerings, you have to wonder: How can they do all that with membership dues at just $70 a year? It comes down to two organizations working hand in hand: The ABS and the ABS Air Safety Foundation. “The American Bonanza Society is the membership organization,” explains Thomas P. Turner, […]
Debate over privatizing ATC: Us vs. Them?
In the space of one week in February, a report calling for sweeping changes to Air Traffic Control, including taking control of ATC from the FAA and putting it in the hands of a non-profit organization funded by user fees, was released, just days after a survey was released showing that most voters oppose privatizing […]