Five years ago, experts called the coming shortage of trained aviation professionals “the greatest threat to aviation safety,” but then the recession struck. “So the problem kind of went away for a while,” said Sheryl Barden, president of Aviation Personnel International, in a session at the recent National Business Aviation Association convention. “Many people still […]
NAFI proposes initiative to promote CFI proficiency
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has proposed to the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team (FAASTeam) a new effort to work together to promote flight instructor proficiency in a NAFI/FAA Safety Team Standardized Instructor Proficiency Recognition program. “This proposal represents a non-regulatory, industry best-practices approach to enhancing proficiency in the flight instructor community. NAFI […]
Phoenix area aviation companies partner for storm relief
PHOENIX — Strat Fuel Consortium, a Phoenix-based aviation services company, has partnered with Cutter Aviation, Pinnacle Aviation, the Arizona Business Aviation Association, area churches and anonymous corporate donors to collect and transport relief supplies to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Strat Fuel Consortium partners are offering some mobile collection of blankets, coats, mittens and other […]
Colorado Aviation Business Association awards scholarships
DENVER — The Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) has revealed this year’s scholarship winners. The scholarships, totaling $6,000, were awarded at the 2nd Annual Aviation Safety Symposium, an event co-hosted by Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science. The 2012 recipients are: Joseph Muwala, Durga Niroula, and Ryan O’Rear. Muwala is […]
Hawker Beechcraft AMTs complete Master Technician Program
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) reports that its entire Hawker 125 Series Technical Support group has completed the FlightSafety International (FSI) Master Technician Program. “The Master Technician program provides a great way for our maintenance professionals to enhance their skills,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft senior vice president, Global Customer Support. “It is a […]
Over-water approach ends badly
Aircraft: Piper Malibu. Injuries: 3 Fatal. Location: Destin, Fla. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The instrument-rated pilot m who had logged 407 hours, was attempting to execute a GPS approach over water at night. The published minimums for the GPS approach were 460-foot ceiling and one-mile visibility. Recorded air traffic control voice and radar […]
The “Miss Muffet” Stearman
Stripes and spiders — not a combination most people would think of when designing a paint scheme for a vintage airplane, but that’s exactly what Merrill and MaDonna McMahan of Wausau, Wis., decided to do when they painted their 1941 Stearman. The red, white and blue airplane sports small black spiders and the name “Miss […]
EPA policies slowing storm recovery
The northeastern region of the U.S. is one of the RFG (Reformulated Gas) Areas where the EPA dictates the use of an oxygenate in gasoline to lower carbon monoxide emissions. In the U.S., ethanol is the most common oxygenate, in addition to it raising a fuel’s AKI (Anti-Knock Index, commonly called octane) rating by about […]
Video captures plane hitting car
Student pilot William Davis was on final approach to land at Northwest Regional Airport in Roanoke, Texas, on Saturday, when his Skyhawk collided with an SUV that was crossing the airport. According to a report at AVweb, Davis’s wife, Kandy, was filming his descent and caught the collision on video. The collision knocked off part […]