Sept. 1 was a special day for Wichita: It was the 100th anniversary of the day the Air Capital of World was born. It was Sept. 1, 1916 when Clyde Cessna signed a contract at the J.J. Jones Car Co. building to start manufacturing planes, reports The Wichita Eagle. Today, more than one-fifth of America’s […]
Videos: From kit to flight in seven days
In just a week, the folks behind The Airplane Factory, creators and manufacturers of the South African Sling aircraft, built and flew a Sling 4 at the Sywell Aerodrome, United Kingdom. The build happened during the 70th anniversary rally for the Light Aircraft Association. A complete Sling 4 aircraft kit was packed in South Africa and […]
Fox Airfair slated for Sept. 10
The Ninth Annual Fox Airfare takes off Saturday, Sept. 10, at William J. Fox Airport in Lancaster, Calif. Sponsored by the Fox Airport Association, the Airfair is a low-key, family-oriented open house with a pancake breakfast and aircraft static display, according to organizers. Entry and parking are free for the public. The event kicks off at […]
Deadline approaching for Iowa Aviation Photography Contest
The Iowa Department of Transportation is once again sponsoring the 2016 Iowa Aviation Photography Contest. Deadline is Oct. 14. Each participant may submit a maximum of 20 pictures and/or three videos for the contest. All entries must have an Iowa connection and may include travels away from Iowa. Only digital photo files will be accepted […]
Squawk Manager added to PlaneLogiX
PlaneLogiX has released its Squawk Manager module, which is now included with every PlaneLogiX subscription. Aircraft owners can use the Squawk Manager to keep track of current and previous aircraft issues, as well as a wish list for upcoming projects. When you make a squawk, you can share it with anyone you want, including your mechanic. They […]
T-28 crashes when pilot attempts low-level aerobatics
A witness, who was a friend of the pilot, was at an automobile racing facility near Alton, Va., when he received a text message from the pilot that the airplane would fly over in six minutes. The North American T-28C then performed a low pass over the area, reversed direction, and initiated a barrel roll during the second pass. […]
Pictures of the day: The next generation, Part 2
On Sept. 6, we posted photos from Penny Rafferty Hamilton, the AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer at Granby/Grand County Airport (KGNB) in Granby, Colo., from the recent “Touch An Airplane Meet a Pilot Day” at the airport. Today we received more photos from the event, sent in by Ashley Bobo, director of Grand Kids Child Care.She added a […]
Lancair Evolution vs. Piper M350
One you build, the other you buy. Both have a long lineage. The Evolution is designed atop three-and-a-half decades of Lancair’s homebuilding experience. Piper’s M350 is a direct descendent of the original Malibu of the early 1980s. Both are pressurized. Both are fast. While many pilots prefer the flexibility and customization of a homebuilt, others prefer the […]
Rumors
By DEAN BILLING. There is a classic quote: “Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated.” Although this blog is weeks after Oshkosh, any rumor that I wasn’t in attendance is greatly exaggerated. Granted, I drove from Oregon to Wisconsin, but I did actually attend and I can put a couple of rumors to rest. When I arrived […]