Back in 1903, the Wright brothers made history with their first successful flight in a self-powered airplane at Kitty Hawk, N.C. In the years that followed, they made great progress in the air, but getting back on the ground remained challenging. Their sled-runner style of landing gear – not to mention rough landing fields – […]
New CAP squadron named for President George H.W. Bush
Former President George H.W. Bush attended the chartering of the Civil Air Patrol Texas Wing’s newest squadron on March 31. The George H. W. Bush Composite Squadron is the first CAP unit to be named for a U.S. president right from the start. The Independence Composite Squadron in Independence, Missouri, was renamed the Harry S. […]
Safari Air’s luxury private jet adventure
It may be the worst of financial times in recent memory, but that isn’t stopping Safari Air from introducing “the first green, luxury private jet charter service…21-day Around the World Grand East Africa Safari,” an eight-passenger, 25,450-mile jaunt aboard a Gulfstream IV. The journey is scheduled to take flight on October 15th from John Wayne […]
New airport for Chicago – but there’s just one problem…
Illinois businessman Jim Bult did what every governor has found humanly impossible. He built an airport — in the same area targeted by Illinois Department of Transportation officials for decades as the spot for the next major metropolitan airport in the Chicago area, according to a recent report at SouthTownStar.com. “I’ve been waiting and waiting […]
Repo Man
A recent report in the New York Times chronicles the booming business of Ken Hill, who repossesses airplanes for a living. The downturn in the economy has him repossessing a record number of airplanes – 27 on his last trip alone. Read the story at: NYTimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14repo.html?ref=business
Construction begins on new hangar at VQQ
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority has begun construction on a new 21,000-square-foot aircraft hangar at Cecil Field (VQQ) to meet the aviation needs of Northeast Florida. The $2 million spec hangar is the first new hangar built by the JAA since it took ownership of Cecil Field from the Navy in 1999. Completion is expected in […]
SAFE honors Sparky Imeson’s legacy
As the aviation community mourns the loss of renowned mountain flying instructor Sparky Imeson, the Society of Aviation & Flight Educators (SAFE) has honored Imeson’s legacy by bestowing on him the designation of SAFE’s first official member, number 001. Imeson advocated for a member-centric flight instructor organization, including member elections of the board of directors. […]
Recession? Air shows expect record attendance
With each day delivering more news of economic despair, the air show industry begins its 2009 season this month under a sky of optimism, with all indicators pointing to an attendance surge as families search for low-cost, high-value, local entertainment, according to John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. Initial reports on […]
ATA urges aviation infrastructure priority
Air Transport Association Chairman Glenn Tilton, speaking Mar. 27 at the Phoenix Aviation Symposium, stressed the critical role of air transportation in economic development across the nation. “We are asking that the administration take the lead, working with Congress, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, to partner with us to develop what […]