America’s “Top Gun” Fighter Aces are the newest endangered species. These fighter pilots, who earned Ace status by destroying at least five enemy aircraft during aerial combat missions in both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam, are a vanishing breed and most likely an endangered species. “If there’s an elite among fighter pilots, it’s these men. […]
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AOPA now offers aircraft loans to pilots in Alaska and Hawaii
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Aviation Finance Co. now offers members in Alaska and Hawaii aircraft loans that were previously difficult to acquire. While most aircraft lenders are unable to offer financing outside of the continental United States, AOPA Aviation Finance Co. is working with a lender that has agreed to fill personal […]
Sandia Aerospace introduces STX 360 Sentinel
Sandia Aerospace introduced the STX 360 Sentinel at the Aircraft Electronics Association convention in Dallas. The ADS-B solution for general aviation aircraft is a panel-mounted UAT ADS-B with built-in Mode C transponder. Installed in the same space as an existing transponder, which saves on installation costs, the STX 360 has an internal diplexer that requires […]
Air Shows Calendar launches
The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) has released its 2015 air shows calendar. The calendar features access to up-to-the-minute air show dates, locations, and performer appearances in multiple formats. The newly revamped calendar offers visitors multiple ways to find an show near them or their favorite performers, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force […]
Lake owners reunite for fun in the sun at Lakeathon
The 27th Annual Lake Aircraft Safety Seminar and Fly-in, held in late February, attracted owners and enthusiasts from throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries. Sponsored by the Lake Amphibian Flyers Club, the event was located, appropriately enough, in Lakeland, Florida. Since Lake production ended about 10 years ago and most of the fleet is […]
NTSB issues four safety alerts for GA
The NTSB recently issued four safety alerts for general aviation pilots and mechanics: Mastering Mountain Flying, Understanding Flight Experience (A rating alone cannot ensure safety: Training is key); Pilots: Perform Advanced Preflight After Maintenance; and Mechanics: Prevent Misrigging Mistakes. Each of the alerts, in PDF, includes an outline of the problem, summarizes related incidents and accidents, […]
Call for entries for Combs Gates award
DAYTON, Ohio — The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) has officially made its nationwide “call for entries” for the 13th Annual Combs Gates Award. The $20,000 cash award is presented each year to an individual or group for a submitted project judged to be exemplary in the promotion and preservation of America’s air and space […]
AEA convention kicks off today
DALLAS — More than 1,500 avionics manufacturers, repair stations, installers and other general aviation professionals have converged at the 58th annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show, which opened today at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in Grapevine (Dallas), Texas. The four-day event, which goes until April 11, is the largest gathering of avionics manufacturers, […]
The joy of seaplanes
By MIKE KINCAID Contrary to what some of the younger pilots I examine for the Single-Engine-Sea rating might think, I didn’t begin flying when seaplanes were first introduced. That honor goes to a Frenchman named Henri Fabre, who lifted off from the water in Southern France in 1908 (Glenn Curtiss began seaplane flights later that year […]