When Orville and Wilbur Wright wandered out onto the dunes of Kill Devil Hills to make their first powered flight, there were no crowds of well wishers cheering them on. Reporters were elsewhere covering stories that seemed more important than two odd ducks trying to do the impossible. Their greatest moment happened in almost complete […]
Texas search group to continue using drones despite FAA court win
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA says a recent court decision regarding the use of drones has no bearing on the agency’s ability to regulate the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), but a Texas organization that brought the action plans to continue using UAS without approval from the government office. Texas EquuSearch had sued the FAA seeking to overturn […]
Pilot hearing protection focus of Wednesday webinar
A webinar will be held Wednesday, July 23, at 8 pm (Eastern Time Zone) on noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent it. Presenting the webinar is Rick Todd, David Dunlap and Ravi the Raviator, a pilot and musician. “I meet a lot of hearing impaired musicians and pilots (more pilots in fact),” he said. “So, it […]
Lighting system for wind farms tested
Laufer Wind has successfully demonstrated its Aircraft Detection Sight Solution (ADSS), the first-ever trial against a radar-activated obstruction lighting system on a wind farm in the U.S. The FAA and the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) participated in the trial. The ADSS enables wind farms to keep FAA-required obstruction lights off at night, turning […]
First aviation mechanic display added to Air Force Museum
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force honored the first aviation mechanic, Charles E. Taylor, by unveiling a bronze bust of his likeness for permanent display during a ceremony in the museum’s Early Years Gallery July 21. A brilliant, self-taught man, Taylor began working in the Wrights’ bicycle business in 1896, and played an […]
Florida Aviation Network to raffle off flight in T-6 Texan
ORLANDO, Florida —The Florida Aviation Network , in partnership with Stallion 51 Corporation, is raffling off a chance to fly in the T-6 Texan “THANG.” Stallion 51 Corporation’s T-6 Texan was built at the end of 1944 and was eventually stationed in Hawaii after the war. It carries the nickname “THANG” because of the original […]
Pilot develops cockpit lighting system to prevent spatial disorientation
Australian pilot Russell Crane has received a provisional patent for the Green Orientation Light — or GO Light — a cockpit lighting system designed to solve the problem of spatial disorientation. “The GO Light is a system of light fixtures that will give pilots a constant reference point of the horizon in their peripheral vision, […]
Eclipse upgrade program sells out
Eclipse Aerospace reports that all 2014 Eclipse 500 PLUS upgrade positions have been sold. Since the program commenced March 12, more than 60 Eclipse Jet owners have selected the Eclipse 500 PLUS upgrade for their aircraft, company officials said. All of these upgrades will be completed in 2014. The Eclipse 500 PLUS program will remain open to […]
Piper runs out of fuel
Aircraft: Piper Comanche. Injuries: None. Location: Blacksburg, Va. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The accident happened during the approach to land. The pilot had the left fuel selector set to the left main tank and the right fuel selector was set to the right main tank. The engine began to lose power during the approach. The pilot […]