KALAMAZOO, Mich. — This summer, the Air Zoo is offering flight opportunities in its restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor. The Ford Tri-Motor was the world’s first mass-produced airliner. Between 1925 and 1933, the Ford Motor Co. built 199 Tri-Motors. Today, only 12 remain. The Tri-Motor flight experience will last about 15 minutes and will take place […]
New sponsor for Air Race Classic
The oldest cross-country air race, the Air Race Classic (ARC), will be sponsored this year by the only watch company dedicated to female flyers, The Abingdon Co. The Air Race Classic is an all female race that encompasses nearly 2,400 miles and four days of competitive flying. The ARC has a history with roots back […]
Great Lakes Expo expands
The Great Lakes Aviation Expo is expanding in its 14th year with a move to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. “With a recent addition of an on-site Hyatt Hotel and the expanded exhibit floor, it is a natural move for us to handle the increasing attendance for this annual event,” said Dr. Phil […]
New FBO planned for Chicago Executive Airport
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has acquired the development rights for an FBO at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). Hawthorne, which acquired the rights from from Sovereign Development Group, plans to begin construction on the FBO at Chicago Executive Airport immediately, with plans for completion in 2014. “The acquisition of the development rights for a new FBO at […]
Flight into freezing rain kills two
Aircraft: Bellanca Viking. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Rock Springs, Wyo. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot did not have an instrument rating. According to his logbook he had accumulated about 3,040 flying hours, including 1,330 hours in a Bellanca. The pilot’s initial plan was to make the cross-country flight on the day […]
Hey, you know what I just heard?
If you hang around the airport long enough you’ll hear all sorts of interesting news. For example, just last week a local stopped into my office to ask about the new seaplane base being built on Lake Hartridge. The lake sits across 21st Street NW, which borders the airport on the eastern side. This individual […]
Michigan pilots hope to recover crashed B-25
A 30‐year-old Michigan man is organizing a recovery team to rescue a crashed B‐25 from Alaska. This June, Patrick Mihalek from Brighton, is planning to recover a nearly 70‐year old North American B‐25J Mitchell bomber (USAAF # 44‐30733) from her remote crash site in Alaska. This World War II era bomber was nicknamed “Sandbar Mitchell” […]
Flying car maker begins study of four-seater
Terrafugia Inc., developer of the Transition street-legal airplane, has begun feasibility studies of a four-seat, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) plug-in hybrid-electric flying car, the TF-X. TF-X provides vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability with electric motors and custom-made quiet rotors, company officials said in a prepared statement. “TF-X gets its power in forward flight […]
Flying club webinar slated
The next free Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Flying Club Network webinar, Attracting Young People into Aviation, hosted by AOPA’s Adam Smith and Glenn Marsh, founder of the Candler Field Flying Club of Williamson, Georgia, will be May 21 at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern time). Attendees will learn the secrets to CFFC’s success in this area, […]