Dean Rausch sent in this photo, snapped earlier this year during a flight along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, in an Enstrom helicopter. “The Willis Tower (Sears Tower) stands high with its two TV antennas on the top,” he notes.
Tracking down answers at Oshkosh
Over the years, you may have noticed my lack of enthusiasm for many of the changes and upgrades made to the Experimental Aircraft Association‘s (EAA) Oshkosh event, now called AirVenture. In the good old days, Oshkosh was a technical information exchange and social gathering. The primary purpose of the event was for homebuilders and aircraft owners to […]
Report shows drop in GA accidents
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute has released the 24th edition of the Joseph T. Nall Report, general aviation’s (GA) most comprehensive safety review. The report, which provides an in-depth analysis of accidents that occurred in 2012, shows that there were 17% few GA accidents in 2012 than in 2011. Other highlights: 75% […]
Reno Air Races expands Drone Zone
RENO, Nevada — NASA is set to expand on information related to its Unmanned Traffic Management research agenda at this year’s National Championship Air Races Sept. 16-20. This year’s event will feature an expanded Drone Zone sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nevada Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center in partnership with NASA. “It is […]
JetFuelX launches free aviation fuel price finder
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — JetFuelX, led by pilot Jason Talley, has launched a new jet fuel price management tool for aircraft owners and corporate flight departments. Developed by pilots, the program is free and can be used on any mobile device. “JetFuelX was built on a simple principle,” said Talley, founder of the company. “I wanted to […]
Cirrus Jet enters final stages towards certification
The FAA has issued Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) for Cirrus Aircraft‘s Vision SF50, marking another milestone in the aircraft certification program. TIA initiates formal FAA flight evaluation of the Vision SF50 type design, airworthiness, performance and handling properties, Cirrus officials explain. This TIA allows Cirrus to move forward with FAA Conformity Inspections and Certification Flight Tests […]
Aircraft Spruce West to hold Customer Appreciation Day
Aircraft Spruce West will host its annual Customer Appreciation Day Saturday, Oct. 10, at its Corona, California, location. Representatives from a number of aviation products will be on hand to demonstrate their products, including Aviation Technology, Britta Products, Champion Aerospace, Concorde, Electronics International, Gill, Hartzell Engine Technologies, Herber, Lift Expo, Michelin, Tempest, and UPS. An assortment of products […]
Principles of Helicopter Flight eBundle updated
The second edition of Principles of Helicopter Flight from ASA is now available in eBook format as well as in an eBundle (print book + eBook). The book by Walter J. Wagtendonk was previously only available in print. The textbook examines the aerodynamic factors associated with rotor stalls, mast bumping, and wind effect, as well as […]
Student pilot’s solo flight ends in fatal fire
Several eyewitnesses reported observing the Piper Cherokee performing several takeoffs and landings in Danville, Va. One witness stated that, during one landing attempt, the airplane was low, that a go-around was initiated, and that the airplane banked sharply left and right during the maneuver. The witness reported that the second landing attempt was successful and […]