By STEVE SCHAPIRO Mention a runway to most Miss America contestants, and they’ll likely think of evening gowns and heels. But not Miss Vermont. Mention a runway to Erin Connor, this year’s representative from the Green Mountain State, and she’s expecting to hear, “Cleared for takeoff.” Erin earned her private pilot certificate at the age […]
News
What’s wrong with experimental pilots?
That’s the question Richard Collins asks in a new blog post at Air Facts. He notes: “The higher incidence of accidents in experimental aircraft is just as logical as the fact that the fatal accident rate in private (general) aviation is almost infinitely higher than it is in airline flying. When more freedom is granted […]
16-year-old solos in 100-year-old Jenny
By CAROLINE DOUGHERTY I pushed the throttle forward, quickly glanced at the tachometer to check for the full 1450 RPM, let my feet dance on the rudder bar to keep the nose straight down the runway, and thought, “Wow! I’m actually out here on my own!” That’s how I celebrated my Sweet 16: Making my […]
Do you have what it takes to survive a GA accident?
The FAA has just released a fact sheet on surviving a general aviation accident. “Every pilot needs to prepare for the unexpected. Although surviving a crash is one of those ‘I hope it never happens’ events, it’s something you need to consider both for yourself, and your passengers,” the fact sheet begins. Accidents can happen […]
On this day in history: Record skydive
On this day in history, Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian skydiver and pilot, set three world records when he jumped from a balloon that had taken him to the edge of Space on Oct. 14, 2012. Baumgartner, who was 43 at the time of the record, set world records for free-fall distance and speed, as well […]
Youth Aviation Club learns aircraft maintenance
Santa Ynez Valley youth who participate in the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 491 Youth Aviation Club will have the opportunity to learn about required annual inspections performed on general aviation aircraft at their monthly meeting Oct. 21 at Santa Ynez Valley Airport in California. Conducting the class is Robert “Captain Bob” Perry, a commercial pilot […]
StandardAero and Martin Aviation team up
StandardAero and Martin Aviation have signed a three-year Authorized Service Center agreement for PT6A engine services. According to officials, the agreement will provide operators of King Air, Pilatus, Cessna Caravan, Cheyenne and TBM aircraft the advantage of a one-stop solution for both engine and airframe services. Under the agreement, StandardAero and Martin will work together […]
First flight: Scaled Composites experimental jet
Scaled Composites‘ most recent project, an experimental jet known as Model 401, made its first flight Oct. 11, 2017. Officials with Scaled report they worked with a customer to build two vehicles to demonstrate advanced, low-cost manufacturing techniques and to provide aircraft for research flight services to the aviation industry and the United States government. […]
RAF kicks off photo contest
The Recreational Aviation Foundation’s photo contest returns this year “since the previous contest was so much fun,” officials note. This time there will be more winners, officials said. “We’ve split the nation into regions to encourage submissions from all over the country,” they add. Winning photographs will appear on the RAF greeting cards, which are […]