Backcountry flying poses its own set of flying challenges. Flying close to the ground, approaching and setting down on short, narrow runways adds risk to flying. In the interest of furthering safety in these situations, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) is partnering with the Air Safety Institute on a survey focused on the safety challenges […]
FAA restricts drones over national landmarks
At the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies, the FAA has banned drones over 10 national landmarks. Officials from the FAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI), have restricted drone flights up to 400 feet within these sites: Statue of Liberty, New York, N.Y.; Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston; Independence […]
Angels to the Island provide relief in Puerto Rico
When the desperate call to move medical and relief supplies from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to remote areas of the island, Angel Flight Southeast enlisted the help of a nationwide network of volunteer pilots to arrange for a squadron of planes to respond. “Angels to the Island” include several pilots who fly their own aircraft […]
Video: Fly along in the SBD Dauntless
Ever wonder what it’s like to fly the Douglas SBD Dauntless? Now you can get a taste of it with this video from the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, Calif. The Dauntless also will be the subject of Planes of Fame’s Living History Flying Day on Oct. 7, 2017. There will be a […]
Flamingo Air offers two scholarships
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Flamingo Air, based at Lunken Airport, is offering two scholarships through Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) and Women in Aviation (WAI). The AWAM scholarship, valued at $6,000, will cover tuition and fees for Flamingo Air’s Avionics Electronic Technician program. This program teaches students how to repair and maintain electronic systems such as radio […]
Fuel exhaustion brings down Piper
According to flight service station records, the private pilot had planned a cross-country flight that was expected to be about 465 miles long and to take about 3 hours and 15 minutes. The first two-thirds of the flight were uneventful, but the pilot diverted to an alternate airport because the passenger needed a rest stop. […]
Something rare in the air
Attendees who navigated past wild fire smoke and TFRs to get to the fly-in at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon, Sept. 9-10, 2017, were treated to a unique opportunity to see four OX-5 powered airplanes in the air at the same time. Gennaro Avoliobar sent in these photos, taken […]
Engine failure at 2,000 feet
By Mark W. Johnson, CFI The morning was typical for a hot and humid July, with a few scattered clouds and a small line of rain showers to the south of the airport. My student was about to embark on his third training flight towards earning his private pilot certificate. Our aircraft, a Cessna 152, was […]
SMO runway shortening begins Oct. 9
Despite ongoing litigation by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and other parties, the city of Santa Monica, California, is moving forward with a runway shortening project at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO), starting Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. SMO’s single runway will be reduced from 4,973 feet to 3,500 feet, with the project expected to […]