The storms may have passed, but the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be felt at airports in the Gulf Coast for a long time to come. Several airports in the region were heavily damaged and have been shut down or have limited access. For example, Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in New Orleans is closed […]
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World War II wreck found in California lake
The wreckage of an airplane lost during World War II in northern California has been found. The TBM Avenger went down in Clear Lake just south of the Oregon border Dec. 4, 1944, during a training mission. The crash killed both men on board. The body of radioman David Herget was recovered in 1945. The […]
Airport given green flag as race track closes
If you live in Southern California and are a fan of motor racing, you’ve probably been to the Cajon Speedway near Gillespie Field (SEE) in San Diego. Soon the land that held the race track will be replaced by hangars and tie-down spots. The 70 acres, owned by San Diego County, has always been part […]
High-end hangars planned for San Francisco Bay Area airport
Corporate hangar space is so hard to find in the San Francisco Bay Area that even before the ink was dry on permits for a hangar construction project at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD), almost half of it had been spoken for. “The Bay Area hangar market is very tight right now,” says Scott Briggs, project […]
The Buzz
“During my 37 years of flying, I have observed the results of hundreds of weather events, including F4 tornados, straight-line winds, microbursts and severe thunderstorms. What I saw today was the equivalent of an F4 tornado that traveled over 100 miles along the Gulf Coast combined with a tidal wave. The difference was, this tornado […]
When to go REALLY means TO GO
One way to cut the cost of the $100 hamburger is to pack your lunch. Many airport restaurants can help you with this. For example, the owners of Narrows Landing restaurant at the Tacoma Industrial Airport in Washington state now offers boxed lunches for pilots. Each box contains a sandwich of your choice, fruit, cookie […]
Shuttle Launch promotes record Internet traffic
Where were you when NASA launched Space Shuttle STS-114? Approximately 433,000 people can say they were glued to their computer screens. According to NASA, that’s how many people tapped in to the NASA webcast of the post-Columbia return to space. The event is the most viewed NASA webcast, easily bypassing the number of viewers who […]
Congress creates liabilty shield for Katrina volunteers
The House of Representatives has passed a bill to protect volunteers assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina from any liability arising from injury and property damage. HR 3736 shields volunteers providing aid, medical treatment and rescue assistance. In the aftermath of Katrina, some relief organizations chose not to use aircraft and other assets offered in […]
Chicago appeals FAA fine
The city of Chicago has appealed a $33,000 civil penalty imposed by the FAA stemming from the destruction of Meigs Field in March 2003. The FAA requires a 30-day notice be sent before an airport can be closed. City officials claim a 30-day notice was “not practicable” and the park district, which oversaw the airport, […]