Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to secure the canopy latch before takeoff, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and the subsequent loss of airplane control.
Picture of the Day: Autumn sunset
Frederic Smet submitted this photo and note: “Ready for an IFR flight on a wet autumn night in my Cirrus SR20-G3 out of Ostend, Belgium, to our home base in Antwerp, Belgium. Pretty quiet on this ramp! Enjoying the beautiful sunset though, with some dew already forming on the airplane’s surfaces.
Confession: I’m superstitious about shoes
In real life I’ve only ever known two people who made it a habit of wearing cowboy boots in the cockpit. One is still with us. One is not.
The end of the fight for SMO?
“We will vigilantly continue to defend access to airports throughout our country.”
Customs facility opens at KCMI
The new facility is capable of clearing private aircraft, crew, and passengers arriving directly from international departure points.
Oklahoma State Aeronautics Director retires
He held the state’s top spot in aviation for 18 years.
Student’s decision to taxi through construction area bends Piper
Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper decision to maneuver the airplane through an area of construction and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a concrete pole barrier while taxiing.
Picture of the Day: Flying on a perfect day
Bill Rodway submitted this photo and note: “With the new runway finished and inviting, a trip to the highest airport in the USA (9,934 feet) seemed inevitable. Gas at Lake County Airport (KLXV) in Leadville, Colorado, was inexpensive, and I made sure to get my ‘Certificate of Navigation’ from manager Brett Cottrell. Borrow the crew car and grab lunch at High Mountain Pies or the Golden Burro Cafe.”
Do we need another aviation organization?
I’m not cynical by nature so I feel a bit out of sorts with this column. My normal state is the belief that people far smarter than I do the hard work of sorting out the details for this type of idea.