A recent story in the Santa Monica Daily Press compares Santa Monica Airport (SMO) with North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), which receives similar complaints from neighbors. It’s a good read and well worth getting about 3/4 of the way down, when the reporter says this: “In 2009, general aviation pilots logged just under 24 million […]
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Flying solo at nearly half a century
By MARK J. DONOVAN As I recently celebrated my 49th birthday, I couldn’t help but be a bit reflective about my life to date. I’m quickly nearing the half century mark and still feel I’ve got a lot more to accomplish, but a lot less time to do it. By most accounts I’ve done a […]
Deadline for 2012 GA Awards fast approaching
The deadline for applications for the 2012 General Aviation Awards Program (GAAP) is Sept. 30. Begun in 1963, the GA Awards program has evolved into a joint program between the aviation industry and the FAA to recognize excellence in four categories: Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year, Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year, FAASTeam Representative […]
IMC Club: Mastering the art of instrument navigation
How much time did you have in the clouds before you went for your instrument check ride? Some pilots may have none, as there is no requirement for a instrument candidate to log actual time in the clouds. Which means that, although you satisfied the FAA requirements for the certificate, you may not have the […]
Women in Aviation at AOPA Summit
Women in Aviation, International (WAI) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) have partnered for the third year to create “Women’s Wing” at the AOPA Aviation Summit, Sept. 22-24, in Hartford, Connecticut. For 2011, Women’s Wing will again be in the midst of activity in Booth #1146 in the Exhibit Hall. The Women’s Wing, […]
Spin safety quiz now online
The AOPA Air Safety Institute now offers a free safety quiz on stalls and spins. Officials say pilots should take the quiz, then find a qualified instructor to demonstrate the newly acquired knowledge.
Scottsdale Air Fair returns
The Scottsdale Air Fair will return to the Scottsdale Airport [Arizona] on November 5 and 6. The air fair was canceled in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks ten years ago. Hosted by the City of Scottsdale, the air fair supports the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and other community organizations.
UAS – friend or foe?
“Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are the future,” according to the September 2011 European Aviation Safety Agency newsletter. Three pages of the eight-page newsletter are dedicated to UAS, which includes some quotable nuggets: “to fully achieve the UAS industry’s vision, UAS will come in all shapes and sizes and operational constraints will have to be relaxed […]
Politics trump safety at Ohio airport
Supporters of the Norwalk-Huron County Airport (5A1) in northern Ohio said that county officials’ refusal to seek $400,000 in federal airport aid ignores increasingly worsening hazards on the airport’s approaches. According to an AOPA report, a pro-airport organization vowed to continue its efforts to preserve the airport despite years of pressure on officials to close […]