Not long ago, I did something stupid in an airplane. Gulp. The scenario looked like this: I departed a non-towered airport that lies under Class B airspace. As my flight home was a short one, I didn’t use Flight Following, as I normally would. Instead I simply took off, climbed to 2,000 feet, and settled in […]
Jenny a century later
The World War I Curtiss Jenny trainer evolved from less-than-optimal JN-1 and JN-2 models of 1915 to the definitive JN-4D that found its stride 100 years ago. In the spirit of centennial commemorations, a look back at the Jenny is in order. The earliest Jennies employed control wheels. By the advent of the JN-4D, a more traditional […]
Why are we still fascinated by Amelia Earhart 80 years later?
A new article in USA Today examines why we are all so fascinated by Amelia Earhart, who disappeared 80 years ago during the last leg of her quest to fly around the world. Although decades have passed since her last radio call on July 2, 1937, the mystery of her disappearance has captivated the minds of […]
Kirby Chambliss wins Red Bull race in Budapest
Two-time Red Bull Air Race titleholder Kirby Chambliss put his 2017 season on track with a win at the race in Budapest July 2. Canada’s Pete McLeod came in second, while Japan’s Yoshihide Muroya retained the head of the overall standings by clinching third. Chambliss now has six podiums and two victories at Budapest, which hosted the […]
EPS Diesel expands as engine certification nears
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. — Officials with EPS Diesel expect to complete the FAA certification process by the end of this year for the company’s Graflight 8 engine. Work toward a Type Certificate has been layered with the process that will lead to a Production Certificate, they noted. Concurrently, EPS has been expanding its facilities. The latest addition […]
First ever Drone Olympics set for July 21-23
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Drone U, an internet-based drone training company, will hold its first ever fly-in at its Albuquerque headquarters July 21-23. The sold-out event will be an opportunity for drone pilots, enthusiasts and advocates to meet, network and compete in a series of professionally-designed “missions,” according to officials. Hosting 75 pilots from around the […]
C188 hits power line
The Cessna 188 hit a powerline near Crawfordsville, Indiana, during an aerial application maneuver, sustaining substantial wing and fuselage damage. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerline during an aerial application operations. NTSB Identification: CEN15CA293 This July 2015 accident report is provided by […]
Plane spotting at the Doña Ana County International Jetport
Officials at Francis Aviation, an FBO at Doña Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, N.M., note that plane spotters have enjoyed an interesting lineup of aircraft that visit the jetport. “It’s been a really interesting spring with a lot of really interesting and unusual aircraft visiting the airport,” said Nicholas E. Gogolew, Jr., regional […]
Flying the SeaMax
In summary, I’d call SeaMax a “performance LSA seaplane,” peppy and demanding a bit more pilot attention, but it gets up and goes.