Aircraft: Cessna 310. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Stotts City, Mo. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The right engine of the twin Cessna had recently undergone extensive maintenance. The pilot and the pilot-rated passenger originally planned to make several circuits in the traffic pattern to test the right engine, then fly the airplane to a nearby airport. However, […]
Bob Hoover honored
The National Business Aviation Association convention draws aviation’s elite and honors a few each year. This time, heartfelt kudos were laid on Bob Hoover as NBAA presented him its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, its highest honor. A five-minute video included tributes from Clay Lacy, Harrison Ford, astronaut Gene Cernan and many others to explain why. […]
Ask Paul: More on Narrow Deck vs. Wide Deck engines
Q: Regarding Narrow Deck and Wide Deck Lycoming engines, what would be the differences between a Narrow Deck O360 and IO360 heads, sump, and fuel pump? The cylinders appear the same. BOB STOUGHTON, via email A: The Narrow Deck vs Wide Deck question regarding Lycoming engines seems to surface from time to time. There is no […]
Advocacy groups donate to save SMO
Two of GA’s top advocacy groups, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have contributed more than $540,000 to support a ballot measure in Santa Monica, Calif.,, that would halt efforts to shut down the city’s airport (SMO). According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the campaign measure […]
Foundation reveals grant recipients
The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has revealed the eight aviation charities chosen through online voting to receive grants of $2,000 to $10,000. The top three Pilots Choice Award recipients in descending number of votes received for 2014 are: Pilots N Paws — Awarded a cash grant of $10,000 and Number 1 vote recipient, Pilots N Paws brings pilots and plane owners […]
Could Earhart mystery be solved?
The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) made news last week when it reported that an aluminum patch it discovered in 1991 seems to be from Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra. They say it may be a patch installed on the plane in Miami, the fourth stop on Earhart’s circumnavigation effort, according to a report in […]
Angel Flight West launches Indiegogo fundraising campaign
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Angel Flight West (AFW) has launched its first crowdfunding campaign “Have You Helped An Angel Today” on Indiegogo.com. The non-profit, located in Santa Monica, California, works with pilots who volunteer their time and donate their planes to fly sick patients to treatment, who, through lack of funds, or geographical challenges, would be unable […]
Sheltair expands network
Sheltair Aviation has acquired FlightLevel Aviation Lakeland at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL) in Florida, bringing Sheltair’s total FBO locations to 15 and the company’s property and real estate holdings and interest to 21 airports in North America. Sheltair Lakeland will operate out of a recently-constructed 3,200-square-foot terminal with approximately 54,000-square-feet of hangar and office […]
Poor planning leads to off-airport landing
Aircraft: Piper Super Cub. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Akiachak, Alaska. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The private pilot departed on a flight between two remote Alaskan communities. Because of deteriorating weather conditions along the flight route, he decided to return to his home airport. During the return flight, he became concerned about his remaining fuel and diverted […]