GA advocacy groups recently joined with other industry groups to ask Congress to fully fund the Contract Tower Program as part of the FAA’s 2018 fiscal year appropriations bill. The March 9 letter to lawmakers asks for “not less than $159 million” in funding for the program. “The FAA Contract Tower Program has provided cost-effective and essential air traffic safety services […]
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Inaugural U.S.-China GA Conference slated
The inaugural U.S.-China General Aviation Business Conference is slated for March 25-31, 2017, in California. China is poised to become one of the largest markets in the world for general aviation, organizers note. But China needs assistance, and that’s why representatives from Chinese government agencies, airport operations and academia will attend the conference. There are […]
New owner, new name for Smyrna Air Center
SMYRNA, Tenn. — Smyrna Air Center has a new owner — Jeff Hollingshead — and a new name: Hollingshead Aviation. Hollingshead Aviation is at Smyrna Airport (KMQY), which is about 30 minutes outside downtown Nashville. The new owner notes there are no landing fees. The FBO also features a dedicated pilot lounge with wide-screen smart TVs, […]
Should there be a mandatory retirement age for GA pilots?
While airline pilots have to retire at 65, there’s no mandatory retirement age for general aviation pilots. A new story in Air & Space magazine asks the question: Can you be too old to fly? According to the FAA’s Active Civil Airmen Statistics, in 2016 there were about 41,600 pilots over 70 with an active […]
Tecnam founder flies west
Professor Luigi Pascale, the founder, president and chief designer at Tecnam Aircraft, died March 14, 2017, after a brief illness. He was 93 years old. Luigi “Gino” Pascale was a native of Naples, Italy, whose passion for aviation began during the 1930s. He and his brother Giovanni, won many model plane races. The two brothers’ first […]
Southern Utah University buys 10 Cirrus SR20s
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah University (SUU) has purchased 10 new SR20s from Cirrus Aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in June. “Globally, the aviation industry is expanding rapidly and the demand for qualified pilots is high,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “The addition of the Cirrus aircraft will elevate our program by offering the […]
Continental’s Southern Avionics re-opens after move
Continental Motors Group‘s Southern Avionics and Interiors has re-opened after relocating to H.L. Sonny Callahan Airport (KCQF) in Fairhope, Alabama. Founded 30 years ago, Southern Avionics was based at Mobile Downtown Airport (KBFM). With the move, the avionics subsidiary is joining Continental Motors Services (CMS) in a facility that includes three maintenance hangars and a 25,000- […]
Bonanza stories: First solo
By John DeThomas It was Oct. 2, 1965 — my first solo flight in the T-34B Mentor as a young ensign starting flight training in Pensacola, Florida. I just verified that date in my musty old Navy log book. Most of you will know that the roaring, snorting T-34B Mentor was a modified single-engine, piston […]
2 millionth Young Eagle solos
The Experimental Aircraft Association‘s 2 millionth Young Eagle, Jodie Gawthrop, completed her first solo March 9, less than a year after her flight with former Young Eagles Chairman Harrison Ford. “Soloing was an empowering experience and being in complete control of the aircraft was unlike anything I had ever felt before,” Jodie said. “It featured […]