When the Senate finally passed an FAA reauthorization bill, it appeared there would finally be an end to the string of extensions that have been needed to keep the FAA afloat. But, alas, it was not to be. The 12th three-month extension passed both houses of Congress just before they broke for the Easter recess […]
Opinion
Commemorating 1,000 hours
One of the more frustrating aspects of being a flight instructor is that you get stood up sometimes. People don’t show because they oversleep, they forget, or they would really rather not be there. I remarked to a coworker that I was getting stood up so much I ought to start coming to work in […]
Singing the airport’s praises
It may seem odd to some, but I love spending time at the airport. Sure, pilots and aircraft mechanics understand the allure of the airport. But the average Jane or Joe may think it a little peculiar that a grown man has an interest in going to the airport whenever the opportunity presents itself. Part […]
Senate passes FAA reauthorization
To the surprise of some and the pleasure of many, the Senate passed a reauthorization bill for the FAA Monday evening, March 22. With the House having passed its reauthorization bill last year, the two can go directly to conference for reconciliation and give the FAA a stable base after 11 three-month temporary extensions. The […]
Breezer II, Part II, Act I
It didn’t work out the first time. Breezer I wasn’t quite mature for the burgeoning Light Sport Aircraft market. The import structure was unwieldy, adding cost and distancing the customer from the source. As Breezer Aircraft took over manufacturing of the all-metal LSA, Breezer II arrived in 2008, joining new leadership in Europe with fresh […]
TSA nominee sails through confirmation hearing
Major General Robert A. Harding (ret.) recently appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for a confirmation hearing to be administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He sailed through with high praise. Sen. John “Jay” Rockefeller (D-WVa), committee chairman, declared a highly qualified, […]
The Flying Fortress: Celebrating 75 years
This summer marks the 75th anniversary of one of the most famous aircraft of World War II: The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-17 was originally designed to meet a bomber specification issued by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1934 for a 250-mph bomber with a range of 2,000 miles and an operating ceiling […]
Season opener
The great trek to Sun ‘n Fun is about to begin. The season-starting air show kicks off April 13 and organizers report display spaces are filling up. The economy is taking a toll on all events, but Sun ‘n Fun is one of those reliable shows, sure to draw a crowd…a crowd emerging from the […]
New tandem LSA headed to market
Most of our tandem Special LSA — Legend Cub, Courier, SportCub, Hornet, Hawk, and SkyArrow — are recreational airplanes. Except for the last one (Italy’s smooth, composite Sky Arrow) most might also fall into the “bush” category in that they are slower-flying, fabric-covered, rugged aircraft suitable for landing on unimproved airstrips. A brand-new tandem, not […]