San Antonio native and World War II aviator B.L. Craighead Jr. celebrated his milestone birthday on Dec. 30 with a Dream Flight, soaring 1,000 feet in a restored 1940 Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used by the U.S. Army to train military aviators during World War II.
News
FAA Finds KSMO Violated Federal Law Over Fees
A report in the Santa Monica Daily Press notes that the FAA has determined Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO) in California violated federal law by accumulating surplus revenues it intends to spend on general city services when the airport closes, rather than using those funds for aviation purposes.
Calendar highlights flying art
The 2026 Aerospace Coatings calendar from Sherwin-Williams recognizes the craftsmanship of aircraft painters and scheme designers across the nation.
Where’s Jamail? At a Florida air show
Jamail Larkins, the FAA Ambassador for Aviation & Space Education, brought the DreamLaunch tour to the Florida International Airshow, reaching about 1,000 students.
CFI Tackles Confusing Roll Recovery Guidance
Master Instructor Rich Stowell has published a new paper that tackles decades of conflicting guidance on recovery from spiral dives and other roll upsets. The paper then offers “a simple, ready‑to‑adopt standard for general aviation: Power-Push-Roll.”
Lobbying to save KBKL begins
Officials from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) met with the offices of Ohio Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted Dec. 18, 2025, to express opposition to the proposed closure of Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL).
Young Eagles flights top 50,000 in last year
The flights were flown by 4,250 volunteer pilots, including 970 pilots who flew a Young Eagle for the first time, according to EAA officials.
Pilot draws The Grinch in the sky
The same pilot, or at least the same aircraft, completed both this aerial drawing as well as the Nativity scene on Dec. 15.
Colorado college AMT program certified
Aims Community College recently received FAA certification as an official Part 147 aviation maintenance school. This is in addition to establishing a new hiring pathway agreement with Frontier Airlines, which includes a $25,000 signing bonus for eligible graduates.