The Washington Seaplane Pilots Association will hold it season opener Splash-In May 19 at Lake Whatcom. Officials note this is a special occasion, long in the planning process, as a network of organizations have been putting together a plan where seaplanes could become an important part of the area’s emergency response resources. “Learn how the […]
Gusty winds, soft field bad combination
This May 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: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Blue Hill, Maine. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The flight instructor was attempting to demonstrate a soft-field landing […]
Much ado about nothing
LeRoy Brown should hate me, but he doesn’t. He should at least be mad at me, but he isn’t — and for that I’m eternally grateful. You see, I met LeRoy in the worst of circumstances for an editor. We had published a story from a freelancer that told of the long-ago exploits of a […]
WinnAero helps kids soar to new heights
By CAROL LEE ANDERSON In just over a year, the Aviation & Aerospace Education Center at Winnipesaukee, known as WinnAero, has blossomed from being just one man’s idea into a well-organized and progressive non-profit organization. Based at Laconia Airport (LCI) on the picturesque shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, WinnAero is the brainchild of […]
Rotax launches new 912 iS fuel-injected engine
In a product launch somewhat comparable to an Apple product event, BRP Rotax recently drew a large group of attendees to its facility in Gunskirchen, Austria, to launch its new 912 iS engine. In the tech world, “i” means Internet. In the light aviation world, or more specifically BRP Rotax’s world, “i” now means injected. […]
Aviation legend Evelyn ‘Mama Bird’ Johnson dies
Aviation legend Evelyn Bryan Johnson of Morristown, Tenn., died May 10, according to a report in the Knoxville Knoxville News Sentinel. She was 102. Known as “Mama Bird,” Johnson is said to have logged more flight hours — more than 57,000 — trained more pilots, and given more FAA exams than any other pilot on […]
DWI charge against former FAA administrator dismissed
The Driving While Intoxicated case that led to Randy Babbitt’s abrupt resignation as the FAA’s leader has been dismissed, according to a report at AOPA.org. Babbitt told reporters he bears no ill will against the police officer who arrested him for driving while intoxicated in December, after a Fairfax, Va., judge ruled May 10 that […]
Senate passes CAP Gold Medal bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A major step in the campaign to secure a Congressional Gold Medal recognizing Civil Air Patrol members’ service to the country during World War II was taken May 11 when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved S. 418, introduced by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. “This legislation will offer long overdue recognition to a […]
Air Tractor joins GAMA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The board of directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has approved Air Tractor as its newest member. GAMA’s membership currently stands at 77 manufacturers. Air Tractor got its start as the Snow Aeronautical Co. in 1951. In 1958, Leland Snow moved the production facilities to Olney, Texas, where Air Tractor […]