How much horsepower should a woman be allowed to have? This was a serious question in 1929 when 20 female pilots made history by entering a transcontinental air race from Santa Monica, Calif., to Cleveland, Ohio. This was the first time women were allowed to compete in the air, albeit with the restriction that their […]
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Aviation legend Mama Bird Johnson honored
“To Mama Bird, With Love” was the title of a tribute to Evelyn Bryan Johnson when more than 400 people got together on May 26 to honor the 95-year-old aviatrix. Johnson became “Mama Bird” early in her long career as a flight instructor. Her students – now more than 9,000 and counting – called her […]
A different kind of collection
Americans like to collect T-shirts from shows such as Sun ‘n Fun or AirVenture. In the United Kingdom, aviation fans collect the tail numbers of aircraft. “I think it’s decidedly a British thing,” remarked David Lamb, a self-described aviation enthusiast who lives near London. Lamb, a first time visitor to Sun ‘n Fun this year, […]
A timely read
William P. Heitman’s flight-training book, “Flying and Learning: Basics for Every Pilot” was included in a time capsule that was sealed on April 13 in Kitty Hawk, N.C. The time capsule is scheduled to be opened on the 200th anniversary of the Wright brothers first flight in 2103. Since its release in late 1997, the […]
Another plane busts the Washington ADIZ
Less than two weeks after a Cessna 150 violated the Washington ADIZ and caused evacuation of the White House and Capitol Hill buildings, another incursion, involving a Cessna 340A, brought a brief elevation in the terror alert level before the plane was led to a Maryland airport. The plane departed New Orleans and was on […]
Vimy to recreate first transatlantic flight
“Yesterday I was in America, and I am the first man in Europe to say that!” John Alcock said that, shortly after landing a World War I-era Vickers Vimy bomber in Ireland on June 15, 1919. He and Arthur Brown had left St. John’s, Newfoundland, a mere 16 hours and 12 minutes earlier. If all […]
FAA revokes certificate of Sheaffer
The FAA has revoked the airman certificate of Hayden L. Sheaffer, who was pilot in command of the Cessna 150 that violated the restricted airspace around the nation’s capital on Wednesday, May 11. He was required to surrender his certificate immediately to the FAA and will not be permitted to fly for at least one […]
Hurricane outlook: up to five big ones expected
The National Hurricane Center’s forecasters are predicting another above-normal hurricane season for 2005, unhappy news after last year’s destructive season. “NOAA’s prediction for the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season is for 12 to 15 tropical storms, with seven to nine becoming hurricanes, of which three to five could become major hurricanes,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral […]
Cirrus increases deliveries 27%
Cirrus Design Corp. had a great year last year, beating all sales records for the company. That growth has continued this year, with the company reporting a 27% increase in first quarter deliveries over the same period in 2004. New purchase orders were well above first quarter projections, according to John Bingham, executive vp of […]