News

Another successful aircraft parachute deployment saved four people in Jamaica last month. According to officials with Ballistic Recovery Systems Inc. (BRS), which makes the chute, the four were flying a Cirrus SR20. The accident is under investigation. To date, the BRS chutes are credited with saving 198 pilots and passengers.

Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has been named to receive the 2006 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association. The trophy is awarded each year “to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.” Mineta, who resigned in July, was the longest-serving transportation secretary in […]

Gretchen Jahn, who led Mooney Airplane Co.’s return to prominence in the last few years, resigned Oct. 1. In a brief statement, the company said Jahn resigned to pursue other interests. Replacing her is Dennis Ferguson, an industry veteran. “I have a passion for getting companies up and running,” Jahn said. “It has been exciting […]

The Travel Air Airplane Manufacturing Co. in Wichita has been designated an Historic Aerospace Site by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Travel Air was among the first viable airplane manufacturers to be established in Wichita in 1925, according to AIAA officials. It also was responsible for four aviation legends firmly establishing themselves in […]

U.S. Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), a long-time general aviation pilot, said in an interview at EAA AirVenture that the FAA “must justify continuance of the Washington, D.C., ADIZ” before his Environment and Public Works Committee will reauthorize it. Inhofe called a Sept. 12 meeting which top FAA, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security and […]

There are certain books that every pilot should own, read and treasure. Some are fiction, some fact, some seem to be a bit of both, but all are worth reading again and again. Most of us have favorite books on our favorite subjects. This list includes some of mine, along with reasons why I like […]

One of the best parts of AirVenture is when seasoned pilots are reunited with their former aircraft. For Roy J. Griesbach of Appleton, Wis., that reunion took the form of a ride in the EAA’s B-17 “Alumnium Overcast.” During World War II Griesbach was a member of the 91st bomb group and flew a B-17 […]

“Air transportation is the preferred choice for business and industry decision makers in the 21st century economy. Our economic development will benefit greatly from accessible rural airports throughout Georgia.” — Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, on a new initiative to upgrade many of the state’s GA airports. ” My intent is to bring back to aviation […]

Only flight of Santos-Dumont’s Demoiselle replica slated for the end of this month A replica of the world’s first mass-produced airplane – the Wright brothers’ 1911 Flyer – will share the skies with a replica of Brazilian inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont’s Demoiselle, along with other early-era replicas, Sept. 30 at the Wright Brothers Airport, just south […]