The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering isn’t the biggest aviation event. It doesn’t have an airshow. It’s just two days in the massive FedEx maintenance hangar at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. But its one of the best events you could ever hope to attend. Aviation in Alaska is different. You’ve heard that before. So […]
Opinion
Aviation gets its cool back
For the past week I have been acting in a very non-Floridian fashion. While the typical Sunstate dweller seeks shade and close proximity to a pool, I have been standing beside large expanses of pavement soaking up the sun with gusto. My excuse is a good one, however. I was at SUN ‘n FUN, the […]
SUN ‘n FUN an absolute blast
The 41st annual SUN ‘n FUN fly-in is the books. It was hot, humid and an absolute blast. I’d say that even if I hadn’t gotten a ride on a B-25 — with four T-6s and four CJ-6s in tow —as part of a My MacDill Air Force Base support flight. No longer just “Spring Break for Pilots,” […]
Part 103 ultralights are hot
Part 103 ultralight activity was not the news I expected to report from SUN ’n FUN 2015, certainly not as my first report. But after an intense week shooting video interviews at SUN ’n FUN, I am impressed to report that Part 103 is much more than alive and well. For those that may have […]
Navigating a box canyon
I once flew into a box canyon on purpose. A friend of mine lived in a canyon between Pacific Palisades and Malibu on the southern California coast. He’d introduced me to a powerful men’s weekend retreat and it course corrected my life. That one retreat helped me achieve the dream of becoming a pilot, and […]
A niche of a niche
Do you hold an Israeli pilot certificate? If so, are you looking to add a seaplane rating? Well, I’ve found the guy. Probably, the only guy – in the world – who can help you. How’s that for a niche market? Rich Hensch, owner of Florida Seaplanes, is that guy. From his time working with United […]
Have you ever considered teaching?
You may have heard somewhere that a pilot shortage is looming. Personally, I believe that rumor to be true. I also believe there will be challenges in finding qualified people to fill skilled positions as aircraft mechanics, engineers, designers, administrators, and maybe even line personnel. The future is a blank slate. However, we can affect […]
Searey riding the wave
While some beautiful looking LSA seaplanes have captured lots of attention — I am thinking of Icon’s vigorously promoted A5, the unusually capable MVP, the highly innovative Wave, and Finland’s ATOL … all of which have some fascinating features — all but one share one feature: You can’t get one yet. ATOL is preparing to deliver […]
Aero Adventure continuing upward
Does the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) world seem somewhat obsessed with seaplanes? Certainly, it appears that’s where a good bit of the most innovative thinking is occurring. However, to observe that is to focus only on the newest designs, the most innovative of which have yet to hit the market and may be years away. For […]