Back in 1949 Don Sly was a recent high school graduate and had what he thought was the opportunity of a lifetime. “A friend had an uncle who owned an old biplane that he used to do airshows,” Sly, now 83, recalls. “Through my friend I got to ride in that biplane.” That ride ignited […]
Call to action issued over ATC privatization
GA advocates are sounding the alarm about a plan to create a privatized Air Traffic Control system funded by user fees. The plan was unveiled last month by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), when the Congressman said he intended to introduce legislation to create an independent ATC corporation that would […]
GA rallies to save ‘That’s All Brother’
A Kickstarter campaign launched by the Commemorative Air Force to raise $75,000 to buy the Douglas C-47 “That’s all, Brother” — the airplane that led the massive paratroop drop on D-Day — was an overwhelming success. In the first two days after launching the Kickstarter campaign, CAF raised the $75,000 it needed to acquire the […]
Groundbreaking held for new KLAL tower
There was a lot happening on opening day of this year’s SUN ’n FUN, including a milestone for Lakeland Linder Regional Airport: A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the airport’s new air traffic control tower. The new tower will be 141 feet, significantly higher than the 50-foot tower now in operation. “That was built in […]
Are you ready for ADS-B?
In his opening remarks at the Meet the FAA forum during this year’s SUN ’n FUN, FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker, a new pilot, noted that he came in a day early to the show so he could take some time to walk around the grounds and see everything. “I was encouraged to see all the […]
Burt Rutan’s latest project: The SkiGull
Legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan’s latest project is the SkiGull, a seaplane that’s currently undergoing initial hydro testing. Mike Kincaid, a seaplane expert who has written often for General Aviation News and happens to live near Burt’s retirement home in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, reports that the SkiGull “will land very slowly, takeoff quickly, cruise fast, […]
GA’s long-term outlook ‘favorable’
The long-term outlook for general aviation is favorable, according to the FAA’s recently released Aerospace Forecast. The near-term looks especially good for piston aircraft activity, according to the forecast through 2035, because of declining fuel prices. “After growing rapidly for most of the past decade, and then slowing over the past few years, the most […]
App eases search for airport courtesy cars
On his annual trip to Oshkosh last year, long-time pilot Glenn Brasch flew his newly completed RV-9A, aptly named “10-10-22” for the years, months and days it took him to build the airplane. Flying from Arizona, he made it in one day, but initially planned an overnight stop. As part of that planning process, he […]
GA contributes $219 billion and 1.1 million jobs to U.S. economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the general aviation industry girds itself for the upcoming reauthorization of the FAA, eight alphabet groups joined forces to commission a study to show exactly what GA contributes to the U.S. economy. Using data from 2013, the study, released Feb. 11, shows that GA supports 1.1 million jobs in the U.S., […]