Dan Ramsey, who wrote The Frugal Pilot column for General Aviation News for the past few years, has published “The Frugal Pilot: How to Fly on a Budget.” In the book, Ramsey includes hundreds of tips on aircraft maintenance, price shopping, barter and trade, multitask flying, co-ownership, partnerships, flying clubs, reducing taxes, owner maintenance, selecting […]
Mechanical issue brings down RV-9A
The pilot reported that, during the approach to landing, the RV-9A’s propeller stopped spinning, but that the engine continued functioning normally. He subsequently made a forced landing to a field near Apopka, Fla. During the landing, the plane flipped over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and vertical […]
Picture of the day: A new pilot
Robert Blankenheim recently sent in this photo, taken at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Southern California, explaining: “I recently became a private pilot this past September. This is one of my favorite pics this year.”
Tip: Addicted to ADS-B
Dan Torres from Baldwin, N.Y., notes that he’s been equipped with ADS-B for almost two years now and admits he’s now “addicted.” I have a Garmin 430W and a Garmin GDL-88. I decided on the GDL 88 about eight months after I had the 430W installed. The cost for the GDL-88 at the time was about […]
The day I groundlooped a Baron
By JEB BURNSIDE. Flying the same aircraft all the time can be boring after a while. It’s an affliction most aircraft owners share, though it’s not one to generate much sympathy from non-owners. But after months and years flying the same familiar flivver, one begins to seek out new opportunities, different aircraft and even additional ratings. So […]
President’s budget includes funding to buy Wright brothers factory building
The President’s 2016 fiscal budget will include $450,000 for the National Park Service to acquire the original Wright brothers factory buildings in Dayton, Ohio. Plans call for the buildings to be restored as part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. In a public-private partnership, some of the five buildings — which are now empty […]
Former president of Sikorsky Aircraft dies in P-51 crash
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.