Chances are high you know a rusty pilot. After all, the population of that particular pilot class hovers around 500,000. But, it’s not enough to simply say, “Go get current.” There’s most likely a backstory to why they stopped. Fortunately, they share the “why” with thousands of others. After all, there are only so many […]
The general aviation market ain’t what it used to be — thank goodness
When I was a boy I spent summers with my grandparents. They lived on the most beautiful lake I’ve ever seen. The water was as clear as a pane of glass. The bottom was soft white sand. It was paradise. This idyllic location was nine miles from a small town. It was the kind of […]
The FAA’s Groundhog day
By DEAN BILLING. I’m submitting this blog on Feb. 2, 2016, Groundhog Day. I think it is the appropriate date choice for my latest GAFuels topic. It is the kind of day the FAA should get out its plan for the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), dust it off and see if there is a ray of […]
Sebring Expo director resigns
SEBRING, Florida — The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo will start making plans for 2017 with a new director as Jana Filip has moved on “to new opportunities and increased family time,” according to officials. Sebring Regional Airport (SRA) Executive Director Mike Willingham said, “SRA appreciates Jana’s dedication to the event for the past five years.” This […]
Nine projects vie for Collier Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association has revealed that nine projects will compete for the 2015 Robert J. Collier Trophy. For 104 years, the Collier Trophy has been the benchmark of aerospace achievement. Awarded annually “… for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America,” it has been bestowed upon some of the most important projects, programs, […]
Zenith Aviation tapped as distributor for Hutchinson Aerospace and Barry Controls
Zenith Aviation, an aircraft parts supply and logistics support company, has been appointed a fully authorized distributor for Hutchinson Aerospace and Barry Controls Aerospace. The agreement allows Zenith to represent Hutchinson’s full line of vibration isolators, engine mount systems, APU mounting systems, electrical harnesses, and other engine components for the full line of commercial, regional, […]
Fatigue crack leads to accident
The pilot completed his third aerial application sortie of the day in the Grumman G164-A, and was returning for landing on a paved private airstrip near Caruthers, Calif. On touchdown, he heard a “huge bang,” and the airplane began to roll right wing down.He tried to correct with aileron, but as the plane slowed, its […]
Picture of the day: Visiting an old Navy blimp base
Evan Seitz sent in this photo, snapped when he was visiting Quillayute State Airport (UIL), on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula in a 1966 Cessna 150G. “Quillayute Airport is an old 1930s Navy blimp base,” he says. “You can see one of the old abandoned hangars in the background.”
Tip: How a retired airline pilot stays current
Dan Albers of Conroe, Texas, sent in this tip: When I retired from the airlines, my flying went from 70 to 80 hours a month, to maybe 50 to 60 a year. How I work on staying current is each time I fly, I pick a different airport about 20 to 30 minutes flying time from my home […]