The pilot reported that, during takeoff climb, the RV-4’s engine sputtered, followed by a total loss of power. He executed a forced landing into a field near Marathon, Texas, and the plane hit a fence and nosed over, causing one serious and one minor injury. A post-accident examination of the fuel system, engine, and cockpit controls revealed no […]
Vintage photo of a vintage plane
Thomas Bombardier sent in this 40 year old photo of Paul Bombardier’s J-3, taken sometime in the early 1960s at the original Manassas Airport. “This picture was taken after it got new fabric and paint job,” Thomas notes.
Engineering a special A36 Bonanza
Veteran aviator Doug Decker approaches most flying matters with an engineer’s critical eye for detail. Things need to be exact. The numbers have to tally. Logic holds ascendency over emotion. But describing his aircraft, N998PL, a brilliant yellow 1996 A36 Bonanza, Decker sounds a lot like a pilot speaking straight from the heart. “I don’t […]
Their first trip to an airport
Six students from Kimball Elementary School in Southeast Washington, D.C., recently earned a special field trip to get up close and personal with airplanes. According to pilot Arthur Billingsley, these first grade students completed a six-week unit on different types of aircraft. They earned the special field trip by completing the unit project — creating an aircraft […]
Fairness for Pilots Act introduced
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) has introduced S. 755, the Fairness for Pilots Act, which broadens protections for general aviation pilots provided by Inhofe’s Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which was signed into law in 2012. A staunch advocate of GA, Inhofe is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and […]
Final episode on Reno Air Races airs Sunday
The final one-hour episode featuring the 2016 STIHL National Championship Air Races will air Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 12:30 pm PT/3:30 pm ET on NBC Sports Network. A preview can be viewed here and below. “It has been a wonderful experience for us and for our fans to be taken back to race week in […]
ForeFlight 9 released
HOUSTON — ForeFlight has released ForeFlight 9, the latest software release that includes Checklist, Glide Advisor, SiriusXM Audio, and more, according to company officials. Integrated ForeFlight Checklist ForeFlight has integrated one of the most important aviation tools into the app, reducing cockpit clutter and keeping critical safety procedures organized and easily accessible. Familiar paper checklists derived from aircraft […]
Drone STEM curriculum released for high schools and colleges
The Unmanned Safety Institute, a provider of career and technical education (CTE) curriculum and industry certifications to students interested in being professional remote pilots, has launched a workforce development initiative in conjunction with high schools and colleges throughout the United States. The program provides teacher credentialing and all course materials, including a 400-page academic textbook, to secondary […]
Pilot loses control on icy runway
The pilot was taking off in his tundra tire-equipped Piper PA-18 on a private, ice-covered, gravel runway in Talkeetna, Alaska. During the takeoff roll, ruts in the ground caused him to lose control of the airplane. The airplane struck a snow berm and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot said there […]