The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has published its 2010 annual survey report of general aviation service employee compensation. The report includes salaries and benefits for pilots, line-service personnel and maintenance technicians. Compensation is broken down by geographic region of the country, the company’s gross sales, the size of the town or city in which […]
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Harrison Ford boosts GA on Capitol Hill
Star power met political power Tuesday, April 27, when actor Harrison Ford came to Capitol Hill to talk with members of Congress and staff members. The popular star, who is an avid general aviation supporter, drew an estimated 160 persons who heard him tell how he uses his several aircraft and what general aviation means […]
Who was really the first to fly?
GUEST EDITORIAL By JOHN BECK Who was the first person to fly? Was it that snappy dresser from Brazil, Alberto Santos Dumont? His countrymen fervently think so. His first flight was Oct. 23, 1906. It was recognized by Brazilians and by the French and other Europeans to truly be the first controlled flight of a […]
Preventing bird strikes
According to audiotapes released by the FAA, US Airways Flight 1549, known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” suffered a “double bird strike.” A formation of birds had approached the aircraft while it passed through an altitude of about 3,200 feet. When the aircraft hit the birds, the windscreen quickly turned dark brown and both engines […]
NextGen: Aviation’s smart phone
In a speech to the Wings Club, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt calls NextGen — the Next Generation Air Traffic Control system — “aviation’s smart phone.” In the April 21 speech, Babbitt said: “NextGen matches any of a number of technological breakthroughs that are familiar to us. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that […]
Need continues for Haitian relief
There is still a need for pilots to help in Haiti, reports Rick Garcia, president of Gulf Coast Avionics at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport in Florida, who made a relief flight to the earthquake-stricken island March 6. Accompany Garcia were Greg Newlun, who served as co-pilot, and John Loute, a Haitian acquaintance of Garcia’s who had […]
Pilot’s Report: Piper Matrix
BY J. DOUGLAS HINTON, For General Aviation News What company would build a single-engine, cabin class, unpressurized aircraft when virtually every other airframe in its class is pressurized? Piper Aircraft would, based on extensive interviews with customers and a “comprehensive market research study second to none,” according to Kevin Gould, president and CEO. “We talked […]
Dominican Republic rolls out red carpet for U.S. pilots
The Dominican Republic (DR) is rolling out the red carpet for U.S. private pilots who want to explore the Caribbean island, which is located 650 miles south of Miami. “With 13 airports that do not charge any fees, it’s easy for private pilots from America to come and explore Dominican scenery and culture, including our […]
Discovering common ground
Airshow season has begun. At least it has in Florida, where the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo is in full bloom. The skies are blue, the winds are brisk, and the rain is at least a time zone away. All in all, the conditions are perfect for the central focus of this auspicious […]