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 […]
Feature
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 […]
Bidders ‘dividing the spoils’ of Epic Air
Executives at China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. find themselves “dividing the spoils” of Epic Air with pilots who were assembling kit-built aircraft at the Bend company’s plant when it went bankrupt last year. According to a report in The Oregonian, U.S. bankruptcy Judge Randall Dunn put the odd bedfellows together Friday when he ruled […]
Gulf Coast Avionics celebrates 25th anniversary
Gulf Coast Avionics, headquartered at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in Florida, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The company, which opened as a two-man office in Tampa, Florida, has gone through a “remarkable 25-year period of continuous growth, expansion and recognition as a true one-stop shop for avionics, instruments, and pilot supplies,” according to company […]