H.G. Frautschy, who has been the Vintage Aircraft Association executive director for the past 22 years, is stepping down from that position. Frautschy, who also served as editor of VAA’s Vintage Airplane magazine, will join his wife, Brenda, on the East Coast where she works in the medical field and serves on the faculty of […]
Wipaire receives approval for Wipline 8750 floats
Wipaire, Inc. has received certification of the Wipline 8750 float for the Cessna 208 Caravan. After 25 years in production, Wipaire has shelved the Wipline 8000 float for the all-new Wipline 8750 float. Wipaire’s engineering team drew upon the successes of the Wipline 7000 and 8000 floats to reinvent a new float for the Cessna […]
Flying Club advisory group formed
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has created an advisory group of 10 flying clubs as part of the association’s efforts to help pilots fly more frequently and affordably. The advisory group will focus on how flying clubs can create a sense of community among aviators, AOPA officials said. Starting in 2011, AOPA conducted […]
Rotax expert to present forums at Arlington and Oshkosh
Earlier this year, Rotax Aircraft Engines, which commands a 75% share among LSA and light kit-built aircraft, introduced its new fuel-injected 912 iS powerplant. Rotax expert Phil Lockwood, who has first-hand experience working with the new engine, will present forums at Arlington 2012 in Washington State and at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. Using his signature […]
Night flight ends in crash
This July 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: Beech Debonair. Injuries: 3 Fatal. Location: Tolar, Texas. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot was employed as a flight instructor and, according […]
The search is on for Texas Airplane #21
John Bradberry from Sulphur Springs, Texas sent me an email recently with a very specific request. I’m hoping someone from our readership can assist him. “On Thursday, May 19, 1938, Texaco Airplane #21 piloted by Roy Harding landed at six towns in Northeast Texas, picked up mail pouches at each stop, and returned to Dallas Love Field in […]
Back ups, understudies, and substitutes
Politics shares at least a little bit with baseball — at least in the sense that to get something done politically, you’ll occasionally need to rely on your backup. You see this in the theater, as well. Eventually you’ll find that the main player isn’t available for some reason, so an understudy will step into […]
A roadmap to finding a new fuel
The transition to an unleaded aviation fuel is still years away, according to the final report from the FAA’s Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT ARC). And whether it is GAMI’s G100UL, Swift Fuels biofuel, or some other alternative, all candidate fuels require “significant assessment” by the FAA to ensure safety, according to the […]
Comment period on medical petition extended
The period for pilots to comment on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Experimental Aircraft Association medical petition has been extended to Sept. 14. More than 14,000 pilots have already commented on the petition, but AOPA and EAA officials asked the FAA to extend the comment period to allow more pilots to voice their […]