Accident rates among general aviation pilots are on the decline, officials with the NTSB reported at a recent meeting to review progress made in addressing the agency’s 2017-18 Most Wanted List. The NTSB Most Wanted List identifies the most critical areas in need of attention to reduce transportation accidents, including several affecting general aviation. Loss […]
Aviation Mobile Lab takes off
A STEM-focused Aviation Mobile Lab in a former school bus is cleared for takeoff for students in grades 1 through 12 in Pasco County, Florida, to learn aviation skills and techniques. The lab, created with help from Jay LeBoff of STEMPilot in Waterbury, Conn., provides students with STEMPilot’s hands-on learning experience through an instructive curriculum […]
iFly 740b Portable Aviation GPS introduced
Adventure Pilot has introduced the iFly 740b aviation GPS for $499.99. Standard features include an internal backup battery for up to 30 minutes of emergency power, WiFi connectivity for easy database updates as well as interfacing with ADS-B devices and sunlight readable touch screen. Like its predecessor, the 740, the 740b also packs an internal […]
New name for Glass Simulator Center
AURORA, Illinois — The Glass Simulator Center has a new name: SIMPRO Flight Training. Located on Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR), 35 miles west of Chicago, SIMPRO Flight Training center was recently remodeled with an updated pilot lounge and new classroom with the latest audio-visual equipment. SIMPRO pilots arriving for training have access to discounts on […]
Free iPad Proficiency Check webinar slated
Sporty’s will hold an iPad Proficiency Check webinar Nov. 30, 2017, at 8 p.m. Eastern. “The iPad is practically required equipment for many pilots and there’s no question it has improved safety and reduced the costs associated with flying,” Sporty’s officials say. “iPad Proficiency Check will include a series of insightful recommendations, strategies and other […]
Thorp’s canopy disconnects during takeoff
The pilot departed on a flight around Independence, Oregon. During the initial climb, the canopy on the Thorp T-18 partially disconnected and the airplane vibrated violently. He made a precautionary landing in a field, and the right wing hit a fence post. Post-accident examination revealed that the mechanism that allowed the canopy to move fore and aft […]
Picture of the day: A mother hen and her chick
Captain William Brady sent in this photo, taken in Fairview, Alberta, as he was preparing to take the PBY5A C-FNJE, which is owned by the Fairview Aircraft Restoration Society, to an air show in Fort St. John, British Columbia. The flight engineers’ granddaughter parked the Super Cub under the PBY’s wing. “It makes me think […]
Bücker Jungmeisters, times two
What could be nicer than building and flying your own Jungmeister? Why, having a buddy who’s doing the same! That’s precisely what Hank Galpin and Jay Billmayer have been up to for more than a decade. The two are longtime friends and hangar neighbors at Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana. But first there […]
Homebuilt accidents drop to historic lows
Fatal accidents in experimental category aircraft, particularly amateur-built aircraft, continued their decline during the FAA‘s 2017 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, falling to historic lows. For the 12-month period from Oct. 1, 2016, to Sept. 30, 2017, fatal accident totals in amateur-built aircraft were down 18% to just 27, compared with 33 during the […]