Aviator Nat Browne had a plan he figured would enable his single-engine Fokker Universal to fly from Seattle to Tokyo before anyone else could do it. Browne’s Universal was modified to remove steel tube wing struts and part of the landing gear, using flying wires and simplified gear struts instead. It was the end of […]
Fighter Ace Robin Olds honored in new documentary
Triple Ace fighter pilot Robin Olds is being recognized for his military achievements in a new one-hour documentary video. The film is presented by The Fagen Fighters World War II Museum as a part of its on-going HD video series: “Voices of Valor.” The film is expected to become a part of the Uflytv Library […]
Autorotation Contest prepares for takeoff
The seventh annual Touchdown Autorotation competition will be held June 25, 2017, at Jerry Trimble Helicopters (JTH) at the company’s location in McMinnville, Oregon. The contest begins at 10 a.m., and an all-you-can eat pancake breakfast begins at 7 a.m. Cost to enter the contest is $75, and includes a Robinson R-22 helicopter to use in […]
Museum to celebrate Armed Forces Day
On Saturday, May 20, 2017, Minter Field Air Museum in Shafter, California, will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate Armed Forces Day. Officials note there will be free admission to the museum for everyone. The first 50 visitors on Armed Forces Day will also receive free homemade ice cream, cookies and punch.
Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide updated
The seventh edition of the “Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide” has been released. Updated to reflect the latest regulations and procedures, the Flight Instructor Oral Exam Guide by Michael D. Hayes was written to help prepare applicants for their oral exam with FAA examiners. Using a question-and-answer format, the guide lists the questions most likely to be […]
Off-airport takeoff, crosswind bad combination
The pilot of the Cessna 150 reported he experienced a total loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing to a road near Balsam Grove, N.C. The reason for the engine failure was later attributed to a blocked fuel vent tube. After landing, he added additional fuel to the airplane, conducted a normal engine run-up, […]
Beautiful, but unforgiving
Daniel Wenke sent in these photos from a late 2016 flight over the Italian Riviera. He notes: “Very panoramic. Unforgiving terrain in case of engine failure, though. Fortunately there is a ballistic parachute on the Savannah.”
From hooves to helicopters
By Alexa Paprosky. The only thing I had ever piloted before my intro flight had four legs, a mane and a tail. I was type rated in thoroughbreds and had only soloed airframes with hooves and brains. I walked into the hangar expecting to see a Clydesdale of a machine, but instead was faced with […]
Rare P-63 Kingcobra to fly at Warbirds Over the Beach
After years of restoration, the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force’s Bell P-63 Kingcobra will grace the skies above the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach at the annual Warbirds Over the Beach air show May 20-21. After over 17 years of restoration work, this rare airworthy P-63 will take part in aerial displays both […]