Long-time General Aviation News columnist Charles Spence passed away at home June 23 after a brief illness. He was 94. Spence, who wrote the Capital Comments column for General Aviation News for more than 18 years, retired from that post in December 2014 at the age of 92. A passionate general aviation advocate, Spence’s lifelong […]
Flytenow asks Supreme Court to hear case
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Goldwater Institute has asked the United States Supreme Court to hear its case against the FAA for shutting down Flytenow, a start-up business that uses the Internet to connect private pilots with passengers wishing to share flight expenses. Flytenow expands on “sharing economy” services that companies like Uber and Airbnb have […]
Video: First ship-to-shore drone delivery
CAPE MAY COUNTY, N.J. — Independent drone delivery service Flirtey and Dr. Timothy Amukele, an assistant professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, successfully conducted the first ship-to-shore drone delivery in the U.S. on the New Jersey coastline June 22. “Imagine a future where in the event of a natural disaster like […]
Worried about the new Airmen Certification Standards?
Anxious about the new Airmen Certification Standards? Don’t be, says Rich Martindell, and aviation and safety consultant, ATP, CFII and an FAA Safety Team representative. In a new blog post, he notes: “The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) replacing the familiar Practical Test Standards (PTS) for the private pilot and instrument ratings went into effect and […]
Museum of Flight opens new pavilion
SEATTLE — The Museum of Flight recently opened its new, three-acre Aviation Pavilion. The nine-story roofed outdoor gallery doubles the museum’s exhibit space with the biggest expansion in its 51-year history. The Pavilion exhibit focuses on the development of large aircraft and commercial airliners from the 1930s to the present, and includes planes that cannot be seen […]
Pilots asked to help improve the weather reporting system
On June 21-22, the NTSB hosted a forum on Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs) to begin gathering information about the current state of the PIREP system. The NTSB is seeking input from pilots regarding the current process of creating, submitting and disseminating PIREPs. What works, what doesn’t and what could be done better? Pilots’ comments will be used to […]
Reno racing seminar attracts record crowd
RENO — The 19th annual National Championship Air Races Pylon Racing Seminar (PRS), held June 15-18 at the Reno Stead Airport, hosted a record 79 airplanes and 130 participants, including students, instructors and certified pilots. PRS is a qualifying and safety seminar for pilots new to the National Championship Air Races. “We are beyond excited to […]
2017 test guides for AMTs now shipping
ASA officials note that 2017 Test Guides for the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Knowledge Exams are available and shipping now. The Test Guides include questions and answers for the General, Airframe and Powerplant FAA knowledge exams, supported with explanations. Each guide includes five free online practice tests. Updates to questions and answers are provided as free downloads from […]
Broken bolt bends Cessna
The Cessna 180H had recently undergone maintenance to realign the main landing gear. During the third landing, the plane turned sharply to the left upon touchdown. The pilot attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to veer off the runway surface, exited the runway safety area, and hit the upslope of a drainage ditch at the […]