Flying is a life-altering experience and many see it as a precious gift. Tim Suereth and his wife Dianne Thorne decided that no one deserves this gift more than veterans who have been injured in the line of duty. The Miami couple created Veterans Retreat, a not-for-profit corporation that provides a flight training experience for veterans. […]
Arlington Fly-In slated for July
The annual Arlington Fly-In and Sport Aircraft Convention is slated for July 8-12 at the Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO) north of Seattle. Among the highlights of this year’s event are a presentation by aviatrix Arty Trost, a long-distance ultralight pilot, who recently flew her open cockpit ultralight from her home in Oregon to Lakeland, Fla., […]
Cessna 150 rudders series focus of AD
The rudders on Cessna 150s and 152s are the focus of a new Airworthiness Directive. The AD, issued May 13, is the result of two accidents caused by aircraft entering a spin and the pilots not being able to recover because the rudders traveled past the normal limit. One of the accidents occurred in Canada, […]
Santa Monica jet ban may head to federal court
The FAA has determined that a city ordinance banning jets from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) in California “unjustly and unreasonably” discriminates against certain aircraft. City officials are expected to appeal the FAA decision. If the decision is not reversed, the city will likely file an appeal in federal court. Santa Monica officials contend the […]
That’s not an airplane, it’s my mistress
Pilots who are fond of their airplanes often speak about them in dulcet tones, using endearing phrases that are usually reserved for wives or girlfriends. Roy Prugh of Peoria, Ill., is one of these pilots. He owns a 1959 Ercoupe he named “Kate.” The Ercoupe, said Prugh, is one of the more enduring designs in […]
Departure into storm proves fatal
This May 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Zenith Zodiac 601 XL. Location: Canadian, Texas. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who held a Sport Pilot certificate, […]
Kitfox debuts ready-to-fly LSA
The Kitfox Special-Light Sport Aircraft, a ready-to-fly model, was unveiled at Sun ‘n Fun. “It is a refinement of our series seven design,” explained John McBean, Kitfox president. “We were able to make changes to lighten the design and meet the ASTM standards for Light Sport Aircraft.” Kitfox has been making kit aircraft since the […]
Angel 7 gives final performance
Sun ‘n Fun 2009 was especially poignant for air show performer Peter Jacobs. After 12 years on the circuit, the 72-year-old Daytona Beach resident said it’s time to retire. “You can’t keep doing everything,” he said with a laugh as he wiped down the skin of his Czech-built L-39, dubbed “Angel 7.” The airplane bears […]
The Flying Car makes its Sun ‘n Fun premiere
Timing is everything, especially when you are introducing a new flying machine. Anna Dietrich, chief operating officer of Terrafugia, the makers of the Transition, a roadable aircraft, note that interest in the so-called “flying car” is at an all-time high after a successful test flight a few weeks ago. The actual flying prototype was on […]