The pilot of the Cessna 172 was working as a banner tow pilot in New Orleans. The airplane was rigged with a grapple hook assembly. The procedure called for the pilot to capture the advertising banner with the hook, then initiate a steep climb. According to the pilot, on the first pass he missed picking up […]
Picture of the day: First touchdown at home
Grant Purdue sent in this photo, taken Feb. 14, of his first touchdown on his backyard strip in Prince George, BC. Canada. He explains: “I received my private pilots license on Dec. 24, 2014 — had a whole 70 hours solo logged at the time. I’m looking forward to many more landings.”
SUN ‘n FUN an absolute blast
The 41st annual SUN ‘n FUN fly-in is the books. It was hot, humid and an absolute blast. I’d say that even if I hadn’t gotten a ride on a B-25 — with four T-6s and four CJ-6s in tow —as part of a My MacDill Air Force Base support flight. No longer just “Spring Break for Pilots,” […]
Are you ready for ADS-B?
In his opening remarks at the Meet the FAA forum during this year’s SUN ’n FUN, FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker, a new pilot, noted that he came in a day early to the show so he could take some time to walk around the grounds and see everything. “I was encouraged to see all the […]
Part 103 ultralights are hot
Part 103 ultralight activity was not the news I expected to report from SUN ’n FUN 2015, certainly not as my first report. But after an intense week shooting video interviews at SUN ’n FUN, I am impressed to report that Part 103 is much more than alive and well. For those that may have […]
Superior debuts Gemini 100 diesel
Superior Air Parts introduced the Gemini Diesel engine on opening day of SUN ‘n FUN. Using technology acquired from Power Plant Developments late last year, the 100-horsepower engine already has 10 years and 10,000 flight hours of development, according to Tim Archer, Superior Aviation Group CEO. He added that because of its uniflow design featuring two-opposing-pistons-per-cylinder, […]
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin to launch new charity
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — They’ve flown together and now Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and celebrity and aviator John Travolta will launch Aldrin’s nonprofit for children together — ShareSpace Foundation (SSF) — while honoring the Apollo 11 mission from the very place it launched 46 years ago — Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The black-tie affair, set for July […]
Dierks Bentley highlights Oshkosh opening day concert
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — Dierks Bentley headlines the opening night concert at this year’s AirVenture. The 63rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The concert, presented by Ford Motor Company with additional support from Cirrus Aircraft, is free to all AirVenture attendees that day. The […]
Avidyne introduces new transceivers
Avidyne has expanded its ADS-B 978 Series of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) solutions, adding the MLX200 and MLX210 transceivers. Both are designed for Avidyne customers flying below 18,000 feet in airspace in the Continental United States who want to meet the upcoming mandate for ADS-B Out, and also to receive Flight Information System Broadcast weather and Traffic […]