Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents continue to occur in general aviation despite enhanced technologies available in the cockpit. An FAA video helps pilots learn more about the causes and potential mitigation strategies for addressing these accidents and improving safety in the national airspace system.
Fuel starvation leads to crash
The pilot of the Beech F33A departed on a cross-country flight, but did not visually check the amount of fuel in the main tanks before departure, relying on his fuel gauges, which indicated the left tank was 2/3 full and the right tank was 1/2 full. Both wingtip fuel tanks were empty. The pilot departed […]
Picture of the Day: Tigercat
Ace photographer Hayman Tam, a frequent contributor to General Aviation News, sent in this photo for Picture of the Day, explaining: “Stew Dawson brings his lovely Grumman F7F Tigercat down the flightline during his warbird aerobatics demonstration at the 2018 Planes of Fame Airshow. Two of the four Lockheed P-38 Lightnings appearing at the show […]
Restored Memphis Belle unveiled
By BOB JAQUES A special event took place in the World War II gallery of the National Museum of the Air Force on May 16, 2018. The occasion was an invitation only unveiling of the completely restored B-17F Memphis Belle. The Memphis Belle has not been seen in public since 2002 when it was on loan to the […]
New evidence shows JFK soloed in just 10 days
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – New documents have come to light indicating one of the most famous men in history, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, learned to fly at an Embry-Riddle seaplane base in Miami during World War II. The training took place over 10 days in 1944. The findings, verified by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Archivist […]
New WingBug is a portable pitot static system and more
WingBug is a new Air Data Heading Reference System (ADAHRS). Weighing just 11.8 ounces, the WingBug system uses built-in WiFi to broadcast data to the WingBug App to display traditional six-pack instrument data on an iPad. Onboard sensors measure pitot static pressure, temperature, and barometric altitude and include an accelerometer, gyro, and magnetometer, as well […]
Start of hurricane season highlights need for careful prep by drone pilots
The start of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, June 1, coincides with a drone-friendly policy shift at the FAA. However, before railroads, insurers, power companies, and other operators of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) show up in disaster zones with drones in tow, they should complete a checklist of bureaucratic and practical preparations, according to veteran […]
Avflight opens new FBO facility at KMDT
HARRISBURG, Penn. – Avflight Corporation hosted a grand opening reception, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, for its new FBO facility at Harrisburg International Airport (KMDT), on May 24, 2018. The 5,000-square-foot FBO building features a conference room, kitchen, pilot lounge, three private pilot rooms, office spaces, a catering kitchen, and more, company officials report. Avflight’s […]
Pilot hits light pole while trying to park his 172
According to the pilot, during the taxi from the runway to parking at the airport in Shawnee, Oklahoma, he made a left turn into his parking space. He reported that he had parked at this location many times before, and that his main concern at the time was to ensure that he did not run […]