When you are looking for a partner to share an airplane, you better know that person fairly well. You’re about to embark on an expensive journey. If your personalities, flying and communication styles don’t mesh, you’re in for a world of hurt. “I wanted someone who is aviation competent, has the money to meet operating […]
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Do you need a lawyer?
You’ve known your potential airplane partner for the better part of your flying life. Do you really need to get a lawyer involved in the transaction? If you want to be sure your personal assets are protected in the event of an accident, the answer is yes. Some pilots are under the assumption that owning […]
Membership has its privledges
About 53 years ago a group of mechanics at Mohawk Airlines thought it might be fun to learn to fly. Eight men and one woman pooled their money and bought a Piper PA-1. The East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca, N.Y., was born. The flying club started to grow, thanks to members drawn from nearby […]
A new way to share an airplane — or at least a ride
Have you ever had hours tacked on to a trip because you had to go by commercial air carrier? Didn’t you wish you could have hitched a ride with another private pilot who just happened to have the same destination as you? Now it’s possible thanks to PilotShareTheRide.com. Baldy Ivy, a self-described cowboy and pilot, […]
A cup a day sends an aspiring pilot on her way
Many enterprising aviators ran lemonade and Kool-Aid stands in their youth to raise money for flight training. Café Avion, an organic coffee roasting company based in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, is taking that idea to a new level by making a donation to the Ninety-Nines scholarship fund for every pound of its Aviatrix blend purchased. “I […]
Socata takes on VLJs
Will Socata survive the arrival of Very Light Jets? “That’s a question we get a lot,” said Stephane Mayer, president of the French aircraft manufacturer, on opening day of Sun ‘n Fun. “But as the order book for the TBM 850 grows, less people are asking that.” While the buzz in the industry is about […]
What’s in a name?
Does your aircraft have personality? “They all do,” insists Danny Groggins, an official with Legend Aircraft Co., as he taxied the Texas company’s latest plane, a Cub Special named “Baloo,” to a display area at Sun ‘n Fun. “We named this one Baloo because it’s blue and because of the cartoon character. Baloo was the […]
Mission accomplished
Bruce Bohannon’s Flyin’ Tiger has completed its mission for ExxonMobil Corp. A highly customized RV-4, the Flyin’ Tiger set 30 records in the past seven years under Exxon sponsorship. “The primary purpose of the sponsorship was to increase awareness of Exxon Elite in the general aviation marketplace and demonstrate the quality and reliability of Exxon […]
Boom times reported by GA manufacturers
GA manufacturers recorded the highest first quarter billings in history, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Billings for the industry totaled $4 billion, an increase of 39.7%, compared to $2.9 billion for the first quarter of 2005. Shipments for the first three months of 2006 totaled 845, a 34.1% increase over the 630 […]