One summer day North Carolina teacher Jana Brown got to thinking about what her students were doing with their summer off. Then her thoughts wandered to a story her husband told her about being given a helicopter ride one summer at the beach when he was 8 years old. “While he didn’t pursue his pilot’s […]
SUN ’n FUN volunteers remember one of their own
Ask anyone at SUN ’n FUN about Albert Borchik and a smile immediately comes over their faces, followed by the slight glistening of tears in their eyes. That’s because for the first time in more than two decades, he’s not at the fly-in. He passed away suddenly Jan. 30. To commemorate his memory, several volunteers […]
Sequestration’s silver lining
The news last week that the FAA will delay closing 149 contract control towers should come as a bit of a relief to the folks at SUN ’n FUN, since Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport was among the first slated to close. That meant SUN ’n FUN had to come up with the money to pay controllers […]
Sequestration’s silver lining
The news last week that the FAA will delay closing 149 contract control towers should come as a bit of a relief to the folks at SUN ’n FUN, since Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport was among the first slated to close. That meant SUN ’n FUN had to come up with the money to pay controllers […]
Texas airport looks to become seaplane haven
Joey Baker says he never met a pilot who didn’t want a seaplane rating. Working off that premise, he’s hoping that Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport (SLR) in Texas will become a destination for seaplane pilots across the United States. “There’s a big gap in the middle of the United States,” he says he’s been told […]
Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision becoming reality
After years of stagnation, development of Cirrus Aircraft’s Vision SF50 jet is full steam ahead. Introduced at AirVenture in Oshkosh in 2006, the jet’s first flight was in 2008. Then came the economic collapse and the company’s search for new capital, resulting in the sale of Cirrus to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA). With […]
Amendment protects private airstrip owners in Arkansas
The 89th General Assembly of Arkansas recently passed House Bill 1020, which protects private airstrip owners throughout Arkansas from litigation from non-commercial aviation activity on their land. The bill added “aviation” to the other recreational activities listed in the state’s existing Recreational Use Statute. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joe Jett (D) of Clay […]
Beechcraft emerges from Chapter 11
WICHITA, Kan. – Beechcraft, formerly Hawker Beechcraft, has formally emerged from the Chapter 11 process as a new company. The company’s Joint Plan of Reorganization (Plan) was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Feb. 1, and became effective Feb. 15. Beechcraft exits the restructuring process with a dramatically […]
DuPage Airport completes runway extension project
WEST CHICAGO — After six months of construction and a five-year FAA approval process, DuPage Airport has completed construction to extend its secondary runway. The 1,343-foot extension strengthens capabilities at the general aviation facility that serves corporate flight departments and national security operations. Completed in January, the project brings the length of the airport’s secondary […]