By CELIA VANDERPOOL Eyebrows raised when I mentioned flying to Idaho from Southern California to view the eclipse from the air. There were a lot of questions: “That’s a long way to go for two minutes.” “You’ll have to be night current.” “How do you know what altitude to fly?” “How will you protect your […]
Tips when flying in support of relief efforts
Want to help in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey? While general aviation pilots are being sought to provide relief efforts, it is imperative that these missions are performed safely. That’s why Patient Airlift Services (PALS) and Sky Hope Network developed some basic guidelines for volunteer pilots wishing to fly in support of relief efforts following […]
Turboprop ‘STOL’ show at AOPA Fly-In
The folks at FunPlacesToFly.com just posted this video of “incredible takeoffs and landings in the grass” at the AOPA Fly-In in Norman, Oklahoma, Sept. 8-9. “These guys are good!” notes FunPlacestoFly.com’s Smitty Smith.
Support from the sky: FBOs help in disaster relief
In the wake of several natural disasters throughout the U.S. — including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and the wildfires throughout the western states — FBOs have become an integral part of the disaster relief efforts. “Their tireless efforts to stage and provide fuel and services for the military, medevac operations, the American Red Cross, firefighting […]
Graphical forecasts to replace text-based forecasts Oct. 10
The transition to graphical forecasts for aviation (GFAs) for the continental U.S. is set to be complete Oct. 10, 2017, when the current textual area forecasts (FAs) will be discontinued. The move, in a transition phase since July, is expected to result in improved weather information from forecasters with the National Weather Service Aviation Weather […]
Aircraft Spruce Customer Appreciation Day Oct. 7
Aircraft Spruce will hold its annual Customer Appreciation Day Oct. 7, 2017, at its facility in Corona, California. “Come join the fun and get a chance to win big prizes during our hourly raffles,” officials said. The event begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast sponsored by Teledyne Batteries, followed by a BBQ lunch sponsored by Champion […]
Crop duster hits power lines
The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight in a Schweizer G 164 B, he was making spray passes under a power line near Paxton, Nebraska. During the last pass, the left wing hit the power line, and the plane descended and hit the ground. The pilot exited the airplane, and a post-crash fire ensued. […]
From San Francisco to Lake Doubtful
Two readers sent in two very different photographs captured during general aviation flights. In the first, Glenn Swiatek submits a photo of San Francisco from 10,500 feet, snapped on Sept 2, 2017. “Since I am based at Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD), I have only been above the Bay Area at a high altitude just a […]
Hood River Fly-In challenged by forest fires
HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Since 2007, the Hood River Fly-In has earned a smokin’ hot reputation as a premier antique aircraft fly-in. In 2017, “smokin’” turned literal as nearby forest fires enveloped the area around Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2) in smoke and a trio of TFRs. In 2016, several hundred aircraft from all over descended […]