After 28 years of air show performances, Schwan Food Co.’s Red Baron Pizza Squadron is retiring. A “refocusing” in marketing strategy at the company led to the squadron’s grounding, according to Bill McCormack, executive vice president. “The Red Baron Squadron has been an incredible asset to our company,” he said. “The retail grocery industry has […]
News
What’s in a name?
What does it take to have an airport named for you? How about setting an around-the-world speed record? In 1938 there was an effort to rename an airport in Texas to honor Howard Hughes (pictured) after he circled the world in 91 hours, besting the previous record by four days. For a short time, Houston […]
the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Counties have realized that if you don’t have a good-sized airport — one with at least a 4,000 to 5,000 foot runway — businesses will look at you and rule you out because you are behind the times.” — Steve Parker, deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Aviation on the state’s push to open […]
San Diego building near MYF trimmed
The FAA says a building near San Diego’s Montgomery Field no longer presents a hazard. The building was under construction when it was brought to the attention of the FAA. It measured 180 feet high, roughly 20 feet past the limit for a building within a mile of the airport. In June a stop work […]
Long-time pilot Muriel Ferris dies at 97
Muriel Ferris, who started flying in 1929 and earned her pilot license in 1931, died of a stroke Nov. 7. She was 97. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., she learned to fly on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, instructed by pioneer pilots Malcolm and Steve Hathaway. Local lore has it that she was the first woman to fly […]
When the Super Bowl comes to town. As airport management prepares for the big game, pilots spring into action to protect their rights — and their planes
Television commercials aren’t the only thing that cost more during the Super Bowl. Pilots based at Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU) in Arizona say the cost of hangar space has jumped dramatically in response to the news that the community is hosting the 2008 Super Bowl. In addition, tenants are being told that they may not […]
Washington State airport recovers from floods
When heavy rains hit southwestern Washington earlier this month, Chehalis-Centralia Airport (CLS) was a staging area for rescue operations. But on Dec. 3, when the Chehalis River, which runs beside the airport, rose 24 inches in just one hour, CLS was swamped. State officials say a dike that was supposed to protect the airport was […]
Santa Monica proposes ban on jets: FAA calls ban illegal, but city officials say it’s a matter of safety
The City Council in Santa Monica, Calif., has tentatively approved an ordinance that would ban certain jet aircraft from Santa Monica Airport (SMO). The unanimous vote was cast Nov. 27. Council members cited safety concerns as their primary reason for the ban. According to Santa Monica Airport Manager Bob Trimborn, the ban, if adopted, would […]
Hidden’ pictures embellish Wayne Hadath’s F-1 Rocket
One of the joys of building your own airplane is that you can design a one-of-a-kind paint scheme. For Wayne Hadath of Kirchner, Ontario, Canada, that process began with a desire to honor the Canadian Air Force. Eventually it grew into a most unusual paint scheme featuring “hidden” pictures of a variety of objects from […]