“The Aviators,” one of PBS’ most-watched television reality docuseries, reports that the debut episode of its third season was the number one “best-selling” iTunes download of a free non-fiction television episode on its inaugural day of availability. Episode 3.01 garnered thousands of downloads on its initial day of release, Sept. 18. Each of the first […]
Helicopter scholarships available
The deadline is fast approaching for the 18 scholarships that the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) will award to students in the helicopter industry. If you are currently enrolled in school and working toward a career in rotorcraft, you are eligible to have some of your tuition paid for. Go to HelicopterFoundation.org or Rotor.com and download […]
First-time author wins Combs Gates Award
DAYTON, Ohio — The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) will award its 10th Annual Combs Gates Award to first-time author, Regina Wirtanen Buker, of Baltimore, Maryland. Buker is being recognized for her as yet unpublished book, “The Skytrain Pilot: Flying a C-47 into Combat,” about her late father, Lieutenant George Neale Wirtanen. Buker will […]
CenTex Aerospace receives STC for King Air 200 gross weight increase
WACO, Texas — CenTex Aerospace has received approval for its Halo 250 STC conversion for King Air 200s, which raises the maximum takeoff weight from 12,500 to 13,420 pounds, resulting in a 920 pound increase in payload capacity. The STC also moves the King Air 200 into commuter category, allowing transport of passengers and cargo […]
Diverted attention, damaged airplane
This October 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Richmond, Ind. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was aware of a notice to airman (NOTAM) for […]
Bowling alone
The new flying club proposal from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is news, but the association has tried it before. Moreover, Americans generally (pilots in particular) are individualists – even more so recently, says a unique thesis titled “Bowling Alone.” But now GA’s survival is at issue, or at least the ability of “average […]
Aircraft Spruce to host Young Eagles
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. — Aircraft Spruce and Peachtree City’s Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field will host local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) members who will provide school-age children with an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane at Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field on Saturday, Nov 3, Noon-4 p.m. The EAA Young Eagles program is designed […]
Alabama governor declares October ‘General Aviation Appreciation Month’
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has declared October “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Alabama, the general aviation industry is extremely important to the economy and local communities, contributing $800 million each year in economic activity. “We commend Governor Bentley for his recognition of the significant impact that general aviation has on the state of Alabama,” said […]
New FAA policy limits checkrides in popular training areas
Obtaining a pilot certificate in popular training areas of the Southwest may get more expensive thanks to a decision by the FAA to limit the number flight tests designated pilot examiners (DPEs) can administer. According to a report at AVweb, the agency has capped flight tests to just 200 a year for DPEs under the […]