Kit builder Zenith Aircraft is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. “Over the past 20 years kit and experimental aircraft have evolved,” said Sebastien Heintz, president of Zenith Aircraft Co. “However, the aircraft kits and the industry have changed drastically.” Maturity can be a good thing, he noted. “In terms of kit quality, precision, parts […]
Letter: KidVenture, 7-year-old key to getting AirVenture juices flowing again
Last week I wrote, “A suggestion for keeping the magic of AirVenture alive.” I’ve received a handful of emails thanking me for the post, some of which offered personal experiences. A few I’m still following up on, but following is what I received from Bill Middlebrook, president of Penn Yan Aero and longtime friend. Suffice it to […]
Just an illusion of privacy
“The Block Aircraft Registration Request [Barr] program doesn’t really provide privacy; it’s just a barrier,” Dustin Hoffman, president of Los Angeles-based IT engineering firm Exigent Systems, is quoted in a report at Aviation International News. Hoffman, who has a private pilot certificate and flies a piston single for his business, set out to prove his […]
First Thun Cubs and Classics a hit
PUYALLUP, Wash. — The first Thun Cubs and Classics at Thun Field (KPLU) was a hit. After low morning weather lifted, Cubs, Champs, a Howard DGA, a Fleet and several other aircraft arrived to enjoy a day of hanging out at the Spencer Aircraft-hosted fly-in. In addition to a dozen Cubs (by my count) and […]
Win a ride in a T-6 Texan
By DALE FORTON. The Houston Chapter of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) is selling raffle tickets at the Wings & Wheels event on Sept. 15 at the Hobby Airport 1940 Air Terminal Museum. The drawing will be held that day. First prize is a ride in a North American T-6 Texan. Second place is […]
NextGen Institute slates annual public meeting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The NextGen Institute, a partnership between the government and private sector to work on the development and implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), will hold its annual public meeting Sept. 21 at the Department of Transportation headquarters. The meeting, “NextGen: Great Promise and Challenges Remain for Government and Industry,” […]
Bad valve leads to crash
This August 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: Grumman American AA-5A. Injuries: None. Location: Lakeview, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that the preflight run-up was uneventful. Shortly […]
Stallion 51 celebrates silver anniversary
As Lee Lauderback taxied to the Warbird Ramp on opening day of this year’s SUN ’n FUN, a group of students immediately began pointing at his P-51 “Crazy Horse” and waving to him. He waved back with a big smile on his face. It’s a reaction he’s used to getting. “Everybody recognizes the P-51,” he […]
Fly in for the Mustang, stay for your medical
Another facet of the Stallion 51 operations at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) in Florida is AVMed 51, headed by Dr. William Busch. Busch, who retired from the Navy as a captain and a dual-designated Naval Aviator-Flight Surgeon, has accumulated over 5,000 hours in more than 30 different types of military aircraft. He is a board […]