As reported last year in this blog, the expansion of oil and gas exploration in the U.S. and Canada in recent years is having a noticeable impact on the activity at general aviation airports located in or near the fields. For each field, 100 or more service and equipment companies can be involved, and many […]
Airline cockpit still a dream for many
The cockpit of a Part 121 airline is still the dream of many pilots. However, following the Colgan Airlines accident in 2009, Congress passed a law requiring all airline pilots hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. That certificate requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours and 23 years of age. A trio of universities, […]
Boeing forecasts increased global demand for pilots, AMTs
Boeing projects the commercial aviation industry will need more than 1 million new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades. Projected pilot demand is increasing worldwide, as is demand for technicians in some regions. At an event marking the launch of 787 flight training at […]
Sean Tucker cuts ribbon on VNY runway, Clay Lacy makes first landing
VAN NUYS, Calif. — More than 300 business, community and aviation industry representatives joined with Los Angeles World Airport officials to open Van Nuys Airport’s (VNY) newly improved main runway, 16R. The $20.5 million, seven-month plan to modernize the airport’s 8,000-foot primary runway marks the largest maintenance project conducted at the airport in more than 50 […]
AOPA’s Flying Club Network surpasses the 400 mark
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) campaign to grow the number of flying clubs in the United States reached a new milestone recently when the 400th club joined AOPA’s Flying Club Network. AOPA has also just launched a new version of the online “Flying Club Finder,” which allows individuals to find a club in […]
FlyRight King Air 350 simulator certified
CONCORD, N.C. — FlyRight recently received FAA Level-D certification of its new King Air 350 ProLine21 simulator. The simulator, built by Opinicus, further expands FlyRight’s training for the Beechcraft King Air series of aircraft, according to company officials. “With the addition of the new King Air 350 simulator we are now able to expand our […]
Fuel starvation for Mooney
Aircraft: Mooney M20C. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Allen, Okla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was on a cross country flight with the fuel selector set to the left tank when the engine quit. He attempted to restore fuel to the engine by switching to the right tank, which contained fuel. The pilot said he was […]
What you don’t know about zinc can hurt you
I have received a number of questions regarding the level of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) in modern automotive engine oils. It appears that people are experiencing a significant number of camshaft and lifter failures on newly overhauled engines with flat tappets. The failures appear to be caused by a lower level of ZDDP in the latest […]
Kids still dream of being a pilot
A new poll conducted by British Airways shows that working as a pilot is still a dream job for some kids. The independent research poll of 650 children aged 6-12 years revealed that being a footballer (soccer player) is the number one goal for boys, along with being a pilot, and a superhero. Meanwhile, girls […]