William T. Piper Jr., scion of the aircraft family that made the Piper Cub world famous, died Aug. 24. He was 95. He was a resident of Marco Island, Fla., and spent summers in Lock Haven, Pa. A pioneer in general aviation, Piper joined the company founded by his father, William T. Piper Sr., in […]
News
The Albatross Lady: Julie Fetco and her flying yacht
Her name is Julie Fetcko, but those who have met her at air shows call her “The Albatross Lady.” She and her husband, John, own and fly the spectacular Grumman Albatross of that name, turning up at air shows and fly-ins all across America, summer after summer. They bought the Albatross as a “flying motor […]
Safety & Risk: Are you a pilot with the Right Stuff?
Training, good judgment and the right equipment all contribute to ensuring you have what it takes to be the best pilot you can. In this issue, we explore a variety of issues related to safety and risk, starting with the Touch & Go on page 14, which details a new study of what makes a […]
FAA launches GA safety study
The FAA is launching a research project aimed at reducing loss of control scenarios, which it says account for about 50% of all GA accidents. The study’s goal is to determine the “feasibility of leveraging existing technology currently available in the GA market to implement automatic envelope warning and protection devices and improve GA safety […]
New York background check law shot down in court
A federal judge has sent a message that states cannot preempt the federal government by forcing flight school students to undergo special background checks. U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe ruled Aug. 2 in favor of a motion made by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association against a background check law in New York. Last year […]
Florida airport gets new layer of scurity
A new layer of security has been added to Florida’s Punta Gorda Airport (PGD). AFAB International Inc. recently completed installation of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Access Control System at the airport. The system provides selected vehicles with hands-free access on and off airside operations, according to AFAB officials. Additionally, an electronic device inside the […]
KRNH completes runway extension, opens new FBO
New Richmond Regional Airport (KRNH), located in Wisconsin just minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul, now has a 5,500-foot runway and a new 18,000-square-foot FBO building to serve the flying public. A 1,500-foot runway extension project was completed in mid June. The project also included additional ramp space, a full-length parallel taxiway with taxiway lighting and additional […]
MKC celebrates 80th anniversary
Kansas City’s Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport marked its 80th anniversary last month. Charles Lindbergh dedicated the Kansas City Municipal Airport, as it was known then, in 1927, less than three months after his historic flight. In 1928, a passenger terminal was built for Transcontinental Air Transport and Western Air Express. By April 1929, MKC […]
A (really) Young Eagle
How early is too early to get your kids into aviation? The Webb family of Appleton, Wis., thought it was about time that the youngest, 9-month-old Cheslee, learn what EAA AirVenture and the Young Eagles program was all about. Note the placement of the “Young Eagle” button on her shirt. Kirk Webb, the proud papa, […]