World War II fighter pilot Robert “Punchy” Powell is used to people asking him to share his tales from the war, so he readily agreed when a group of pilots asked him to come to the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant at DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta earlier this month. What Powell didn’t know is […]
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Behind the scenes at Reno
Heroes abound, while initial races featured international flavor By ANITA C. INFANTE By now, news of the Sept. 16 crash at the Reno National Championship Air Races has made its way across the country and through the international media. The flurries of reports, video and photographs from the scene have resulted in off-the-cuff opinions and […]
‘Red Dog’ slated to return to Copperstate
By RAEANN SLAYBAUGH A generous airplane collector — and the chief pilot for his cadre of stunning World War II aircraft — are helping to make the Copperstate Fly-In, which kicks off today, a world-class destination for aviation enthusiasts, both on the ground and in the air. One of the most consistent attractions at the […]
Harrison Ford goes to Washington to boost GA’s image
General aviation and its contributions to the United States are often misunderstood or unknown, and actor, pilot, and GA advocate Harrison Ford told members of the Senate General Aviation Caucus this week that he is going to do his part to bring the community’s efforts to the public’s attention. “It really has brought great value […]
Museum to host US Senate Committee
On Monday, Oct. 24, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Subcommittee, will hold a U.S. Senate field hearing at Seattle’s Museum of Flight titled, “The Aviation Workforce: Training Needs and Challenges.” The hearing is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater, and is […]
Dulles Jet Center back in business
Less than two years after a February 2010 record snowfall severely damaged three of its four hangars and part of the fourth one, Dulles Jet Center has re-opened with two new hangars at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). Dulles Jet Center is scheduled to complete construction on the final two hangars next month. “We took an […]
FAA dedicates new tower at MEM
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt today dedicated the new $72.6 million air traffic control tower and radar approach control at Memphis International Airport (MEM). “This tower is a symbol of the FAA’s commitment to aviation safety and modernization of the air traffic control system,” said Babbitt. “Our future success depends on keeping our airport infrastructure healthy […]
Hummelbird takes flight
By RAEANN SLAYBAUGH When you see it coming, you might think your eyes are playing tricks on you. Do they even make airplanes that small? Ted Dearing of Chandler, Ariz., does. And he does it well. Weighing less than most motorcycles — and delivering up to 50 miles per gallon — his 340-pound, Volkswagen-powered Hummelbird […]
Recreational Aviation Foundation names executive director
Following a nationwide search, the board of directors of the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) have named Carl Hicks as its first executive director. Truly a recreational pilot, Hicks, 58, of Gig Harbor, Wash., received his private pilot license in August 1975, and has several thousand hours of flight experience. After retiring from his first career […]