The Commemorative Air Force’s “Diamond Lil” may be no more. The B-24, the oldest in existence, is in the midst of a restoration that will return it to its original B-24A status. Based at the B-29/B-24 Squadron at the CAF’s Midland, Texas, headquarters, “Diamond Lil,” was put in the paint scheme and markings of the […]
News
Wiley Post Spirit Award presented to international aviator for first time
This month the Wiley Post Commission will present Jon Johanson with the Wiley Post Spirit Award. Johanson, a nurse and midwife from Australia, is the first international award recipient. His accomplishments include being the first person to fly solo over the South Pole in a single-engine aircraft and the first person to circumnavigate the world […]
the Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Although the future of general aviation looks bright, we have not allowed this optimism to make us complacent.” — Pete Bunce, president, GAMA. “There must continue to be robust funding for general aviation, something Congress has repeatedly recognized even when an administration has attempted to slash GA funding.” — Phil Boyer, president, AOPA. “Without question, […]
ANOTHER TRIBUTE
On July 26, 2003, the town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, (pop. 1,100) honored its most famous resident, Janusz “Zura” Zurakowski, the first test pilot to fly the Arrow, by dedicating a park and future museum to him. The arrow-shaped park, located across from the town’s railroad station, contains a large-scale replica of the Avro Arrow […]
All in the family
There are those who say naming your airplane after your spouse or girlfriend is a good way to make points with her. If that is so, then putting your spouse’s picture on the aircraft is the ultimate sign of devotion. Mike Kelly of Spruce Creek, Fla., saw it that way, so when he and Diane, […]
Another airport in the crosshairs: Proposed development next to Washington airport stirs up pilots and alphabet groups
Pilots in Eatonville, Washington, say that a developer’s plan to build homes adjacent to their local airport, Swanson Field (SW3), is a back-door attempt to close the airport. The proposed development would create 23 to 27 lots on 18 acres that wrap about the south and east sides of the airport, which was built by […]
‘Diamond Li’ undergoes extreme makeover
The Commemorative Air Force’s “Diamond Lil” may be no more. The B-24, the oldest in existence, is in the midst of a restoration that will return it to its original B-24A status. Based at the B-29/B-24 Squadron at the CAF’s Midland, Texas, headquarters, “Diamond Lil,” was put in the paint scheme and markings of the […]
Florida rookie Jason Newburg wins at Reno
When something bad happens, a lot of people can let it get them down. Not Jason Newburg, who took something bad and turned it into victory. The Edgewater, Florida, aerobatics performer bought a Pitts Special S-1 in Jamaica. When it arrived in Florida, he found it had been damaged in shipping. The plane, now named […]
Doctor’s order: Fly a one-of-a-kind airplane
It all started for Jeff Laskin when he was in first grade in Chicago. “I was so excited about wearing a ‘Mighty Mouse’ costume for Halloween,” he recalls. “I remember jumping off the desks pretending to fly until the teacher ‘grounded’ me.” But that teacher couldn’t ground his dreams of flight. Those dreams were put […]