The Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority has announced that pilots can fly under the new FAA medical certification known as BasicMed. This announcement makes the Bahamas the first international destination to welcome BasicMed pilots, according to Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Mark Baker. “This is a huge win for the thousands of BasicMed pilots and […]
Recreational drone registry ruled unlawful
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has ruled the FAA’s drone registry is unlawful. The ruling was handed down Friday, May 19, 2017. As of March 2017, more than 770,000 operators had registered with the FAA. Nearly all paid a $5 fee. On Dec. 24, 2015, Maryland-based lawyer and model aircraft hobbyist […]
Celebrating the DC-3/C-47 in style
In total, more than 16,000 variants of the venerable DC-3 were built. The DC-3/C-47 is the only pre-World War II aircraft that is still operating commercially today. To pay tribute to this beautiful airplane, the first Flabob DC-3/C-47 Fly-In took place at the historic airport in Riverside, Calif., May 19-21, 2017. The fly-in included rides, […]
West Star Aviation earns top rank in PRASE survey
EAST ALTON, Ill – West Star Aviation has been voted #1 Preferred MRO in the 2017 Professional Pilot Preference Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment (PRASE) survey for the fourth consecutive year. The facility is also celebrating 70 years of continuous service to the aviation industry. “We are blown away by this win, four years is something we […]
Desert Jet Center creates Benoit Memorial Scholarship
THERMAL, Calif. – Desert Jet Center has created the John J. Benoit Memorial Scholarship to honor the legacy of the Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor who passed away in December 2016 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. The scholarship commits some $10,000 to local youth in the Riverside County area who desire to pursue […]
WSDOT seeking aviation transportation planning specialist
The Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division in Tumwater, Washington, is currently accepting applications for a Transportation Planning Specialist 3. This unique and challenging position will manage complex aviation projects, help lead aviation emergency training exercises, and provide technical assistance to WSDOT’s Airport Aid Grant Program and Statewide Capital Improvement Program. The Transportation Planning […]
Off-airport landing damages RV-12
In an email sent to an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector by the pilot, he reported that he was unable to manipulate the fuel station pumps where he had landed, so he decided to fly to another airfield that was about 20 miles away. He wrote that somehow he did not make the right turn and became […]
On to the next ticket…
Hal Denton sent in this photo, explaining: “It was a gorgeous morning for a multi-engine commercial check ride. Luckily the stars were aligned and four hours later the certificate was issued. Now what for the next ticket? Maybe instructor?”
Air racing: An unexpected open house
Dispatch from KABI, Abilene, Texas: I’m perched on the left wingwalk, leaning into the open cockpit. My shirttails keep coming untucked, and I’m praying that the waistline of my pants is high enough that I won’t be mistaken for a plumber, instead of an air racer. I point to the instrument panel, “This one tells me […]