Not long after Mark Baker joined the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) as president, I was at a breakfast the AOPA Foundation hosted at SUN ‘n FUN. Following a briefing from Mark, he called for questions. “What’s your opinion of the pilot shortage we’re starting to hear so much about?” asked a fellow attendee. Mark’s […]
Zenith STOL wins bush pilot competition in New Zealand
OMAKA, New Zealand – Deane Philip’s Zenith STOL CH 701 took just 12.6 meters (41.33 feet) to take off and rolled just 14.7 meters (48.22 feet) after landing at the Feb. 3, 2018, New Zealand Bush Pilot Championships. Second place was another Zenith STOL aircraft, piloted by Chris Anderson, followed by a Rans S6 for […]
2018 National GA Award honorees named
Every year for more than 50 years, the General Aviation Awards program and the FAA have recognized aviation professionals for their contributions to general aviation in the fields of flight instruction, aviation maintenance/avionics, and safety. Recipients of the 2017 National General Aviation Awards are: Daniel Peter Christman of Las Vegas, Nevada: 2018 Certificated Flight Instructor […]
Flap Well Cleaning Wand debuts
JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Awesome Products Corp. has been issued a patent for a product to clean inside aircraft flap wells and other hard to reach areas of aircraft. After the product was developed it was sent to two Lockheed Martin maintenance facilities in Corpus Christi and Jacksonville for evaluation. They used the product for several […]
60th annual Cactus Fly-In prepares for takeoff
The 60th annual Cactus Fly-In will be held March 2-3, 2018, at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ) in Arizona. Organizers say the fly-in is the premier event for antique airplanes in Arizona. “Come check out a host of unique aircraft, learn something new during forum presentations, and mingle with folks who enjoy history and the […]
Kitfox’s landing gear collapses
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped Kitfox reported that during the landing roll at the airport in Slate Creek, Idaho, the left main landing gear slowly collapsed forward. During a post-accident examination of the airframe by the pilot, it was revealed that the left main landing forward gear tube had collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage […]
Picture of the day: Czech it out
Humberto Vivanco sent in this photograph for Picture of the Day of an L-39 on the ramp at the airport in Uvalde, Texas. “Small town, cool planes,” he says. Would you to like have your photo featured as Picture of the Day? You can submit it via the form below today’s picture or send it […]
Awkward hellos and somber goodbyes
Climbing into an airplane with the intent of getting airborne is an exciting endeavor. Even for those fortunate enough to have been doing this for years, it’s still a thrill. Yet our emotional response to flight isn’t always positive or uplifting. It’s those other reactions that really make this journey through an aeronautical life a […]
Goulian wins Red Bull opener
A new decade opened for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Saturday, Feb. 3, and the 11th consecutive season opener at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche was loaded with surprises – perhaps none greater than the winner, the USA’s Michael Goulian, who logged his first victory since 2009 to claim the top of the overall […]