The former president of Sikorsky Aircraft was killed when his P-51D crashed near Maricopa, Arizona, on Feb. 5. Jeffrey Pino, 61, who led Sikorsky from 2006 to 2012, was flying the Mustang, named “Big Beautiful Doll,” when it crashed. His passenger, Nickolas Tramontano, 71, of Brookfield, Connecticut, also died in the crash. Pino was vice chairman of […]
NATA unveils grassroots campaign against ATC privatization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has launched a grassroots campaign in response to the House Transportation Committee’s FAA reauthorization proposal to establish a user fee-funded air traffic control corporation. The legislation — which poses a significant threat to the entire general aviation community — will be considered Thursday, Feb. 11, by the […]
Last call for Able Flight scholarship applications
Feb. 15 is the deadline for applications to be considered for an Able Flight scholarship for flight training in 2016.
Air Force Museum Theatre commemorates Tuskegee Airmen’s 75th anniversary
DAYTON, Ohio — The Air Force Museum Theatre at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will kick off its 2016 Living History Film Series on Saturday, Feb. 20, with an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen. Beginning at 4 p.m., the theater will premiere “In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee […]
Water landing goes awry
According to the pilot, he was practicing an engine out maneuver to a landing on the water in the Piper PA-18-150 near Lake Wales, Fla. At 500 feet mean sea level, he “cut” the engine power and turned the carburetor heat to full on. As he neared the water, he started to flare when the […]
Picture of the day: Smoking tires
Max Lightsey of Orlando, Florida, sent in this photo of Fat Albert, the transport aircraft for the Blue Angels. He explains: “The Lockheed Martin C-130T “Hercules” (AKA: “Fat Albert”) smokes the tires performing a short-field, assault landing at the Melbourne Air and Space Show on March 21, 2015.” “Flown by U.S. Marines Major Dusty Cook, the […]
Tip: Check that tire pressure
George Gould, an A&P/IA at Scholes Field in Galveston, Texas, noted that the most overlooked preflight item is a tire pressure check. “I tow disabled aircraft every month because of flat tires caused by tire failure from low pressure,” he said. “The tubes chafe and get a leak. Students, instructors, and ATPs all have this problem. Some don’t know […]
Windecker Aircraft embarks on new aircraft design
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Windecker Aircraft’s American R&D facility will follow up the successful restoration of a 1969 Windecker Eagle with a clean sheet design for a new composite, high performance, single engine, low wing, four-seat aircraft. The design will utilize technologies and materials that have evolved or been developed since the Windecker Eagle was certified […]
Apple watches, iPads part of efforts to entice women to try flying
As part of the sixth annual Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week, a global aviation awareness week for girls of any age, the Institute for Women Of Aviation Worldwide (iWOAW) is offering Apple Watches, iPad Minis, custom jackets and custom silk scarves to girls and women who dare to step out of bounds and try flying in […]