The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a runway in Sunburst, Mont., in a Cessna 170B. At the time of the accident he estimated that the wind was 38 knots and gusting to 42 knots. He taxied onto the runway most aligned with the wind and began the takeoff roll. Just as the plane became […]
Picture of the day: Soldier Bar
Bryan Painter submitted this photo he calls “Soldier Bar Adventure,” depicting a C-170, Rans S-7, Maule and a Mooney at the Idaho airport.
Keys to the plane
By ALBERT DYER Before I was old enough to drive a car, my dad put the keys to his airplane in my hand and said to me, “son, if you can afford the lessons and the gas, here is the plane to fly.” Wow! How is that for incentive to a young teen? That father/son […]
Some big questions about RPAs, including the big one: Insurance
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2014 there were 2,294 national airspace violations. That would be an average of more than six every day. In most of these incidents the persons involved were licensed pilots. What do these abstract figures mean? Perhaps very little unless you were involved in one of the incidents. Or, unless you are […]
Video: Learning aerobatics, Part 2
Gene Lee of The HD Pilot continues his aerobatics lessons from Adam Baker, a local airshow aerobatic pilot, in his RV-7A. In this video, the second in the series, Gene starts out the lesson more stall/spin recovery techniques. Then the two have a little more fun with some aerobatics. See the first video in the series here.
West Star Aviation CFO to be inducted into Hall of Fame
West Star Aviation’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Shonka will be inducted into the Wichita Business Journal’s CFO Awards Hall of Fame March 3. Mike has had an extensive career as an executive in financial services and aviation, including Cessna Aircraft Co., where he was the CFO for 14 years. The Wichita Business Journal began inducting individuals into […]
Burt Rutan returns to AirVenture for VariEze’s 40th anniversary
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — Burt Rutan, the visionary aircraft designer, will be back at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2015 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his iconic VariEze aircraft. AirVenture, the 63rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, will be held July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Rutan’s designs have been groundbreaking for more […]
AOPA Air Safety Institute updates runway incursions course
The Air Safety Institute (ASI) of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has released a new version of its Runway Safety course, designed to help pilots avoid dangerous runway incursions. The 45-minute course takes participants through a series of airport trouble spots, including confusing signs, complex taxiway and runway layouts and unclear communications, all of […]
Abingdon introduces new watch
The Abingdon Co. has introduced Katherine, its latest in its Aviatrix line. Available in seven different looks, Katherine has a patent-pending rotating bezel, according to company officials. “We looked at the procedures that pilots use in the cockpit on virtually every flight. ATIS is a tool of aviation that all pilots have used,” says The Abingdon […]