The second annual Sunshine Express 400 ran Sunday, April 3. A strong tailwind helped the 17 racers set fast times on the course from Greenwood County Airport (KGRD) in South Carolina, to Multrie (KKGR), Georgia, then to Winter Haven’s Gilbert Field (KGIF). The 400 nautical mile race was organized by 71-year-old Pat Purcell, who was […]
On the verge: 2 million Young Eagles
The next two years will see tremendous milestone for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, already the largest youth aviation education program created. In 2016, the Young Eagles program will fly its 2 millionth young person since its founding in 1992, a spark that will lead the program into its 25th anniversary in 2017. […]
Video on engine failure released
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new video aimed at helping pilots prepare for engine failure. Engine Out! From Trouble to Touchdown reviews how to tackle an engine failure in a single-engine aircraft.“Flying is a safe and rewarding activity and an engine failure is very rare, but […]
Cessna Skyhawk now equipped with Angle of Attack system
Cessna Aircraft Co. announced at SUN ‘n FUN that Safe Flight’s SCc Angle of Attack (AoA) system is now standard on all Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft and optional on the Cessna Skylane 182 and Cessna Turbo Stationair 206. “Textron Aviation is constantly looking for innovative solutions for our piston customers and making the SCc Angle of […]
Hartzell buys Sky-Tec brand
Hartzell Engine Technologies has acquired the Sky-Tec brand of high performance aircraft starters and solenoids. “We are ecstatic to have successfully completed the acquisition of one of the aviation industry’s most respected brands which significantly enhances our starter product line and adds solenoids as well,” said Mike Disbrow, president of Hartzell Engine Technologies (HET). “Working with […]
Piper takes 112 aircraft order from UND
On opening day of this year’s SUN ‘n FUN, Piper Aircraft reported it had taken a 112-aircraft order from the UND Aerospace Foundation, which provides training and aircraft to the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Deliveries begin in the fourth quarter of 2016 and stretch out over eight years. “This is […]
Failure to use carb heat while flying by glacier leads to accident
The Cessna 182 pilot was flying down a glacier near Cooper Landing, Alaska, for an extended period of time at a low power setting without the carburetor heat on. Near the toe of the glacier, he attempted to add power to level the plane, but the engine did not respond. He said that their altitude […]
Picture of the day: Floatplane Heaven
George Weaver sent in this photo of “an anxious J3 on Lake Hood in Anchorage, Alaska — Floatplane Heaven. Nearly everything ever adapted to floats can be found there.” “Some work every day, some wait for better weather,” he notes. “Time was you could just walk along the shore and breathe it all in. Harder now, but worth it […]
New tower dedicated at KLAL
A ribbon-cutting was held Monday before SUN ‘n FUN opened at the new air traffic control tower at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport in Florida.. The ceremony caps a year of improvements at the airport, which began at last year’s SUN ’n FUN when ground was broken for the new tower. The new 142-foot tower replaces the old […]