National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has praised the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for its response to NTSB safety recommendations. AOPA took action that exceeded the NTSBs recommendations following the investigation into the Aug. 9, 2010 airplane accident in Alaska that killed former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. The NTSB recommended that AOPA […]
FAA mandates inspections of older Pipers
In a new Service Bulletin, the FAA is mandating enhanced inspections and repairs where necessary to cables that control tail surfaces on about 30,000 Piper aircraft. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the bulletin, prompted by at least one accident and a serious incident stemming from such malfunctioning flight-control systems in recent […]
Paragon FBO network grows
Paragon Aviation Group continues to expand its roster of independent FBOs in The Paragon Network with the addition of DuPage Flight Center (DPA) in Chicago and Henriksen Jet Center (TME) in Houston. Located in West Chicago, DuPage Flight Center boasts a 14,000-square-foot executive terminal that features an array of amenities, including on-site catering, a restaurant […]
Court approves Hawker Beechcraft’s reorganization plan
WICHITA – The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has approved Hawker Beechcraft’s Joint Plan of Reorganization (Plan), paving the way for the company to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the second half of February. In confirming the plan, Judge Stuart M. Bernstein found that it satisfied all of the […]
In-flight engine failure for Aeronca
Aircraft: Aeronca O-58C. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor. Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The airplane was in cruise flight at 3,500 feet MSL when the engine quit. The pilot restarted the engine, and it ran for about 20 seconds before quitting again. He then applied carburetor heat and made […]
Lessons from the NFL
A few days before the Seattle Seahawks played the Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round of the National Football League playoffs, General Aviation News columnist, and nearly Washington D.C. resident Charles Spence emailed me to poke a little fun about the upcoming game. I took the comments to Facebook for broader discussion and we […]
Extreme Makeover
Big things are happening to the location formerly known as the Ultralight Area at the SUN ’n FUN grounds on the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Florida. First, the area will now permanently be known by its longtime affectionate name: Paradise City. Once a place of great charm and thick crowds, the area suffered from the […]
Will NTSB head become next Secretary of Transportation?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Will the current chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board become the next Secretary of Transportation? The answer is “yes” if the head of the Senate committee that must approve the next nominee has his way. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Tuesday (Jan. 29) that he was leaving his post. Senator Jay […]
General Aviation Caucus meets at Texas Statehouse
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas General Aviation Caucus met for the first time last week. “This is an opportunity to provide members of the Texas legislature information on the importance of general aviation in their local communities,” said State Representative John Kuempel (R-Seguin), who chaired the meeting. “General aviation provides over $15 billion in economic […]