On Friday, March 30, a distinguished group of aviators received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award during a ceremony at the FAA Production Studios on the Sun ’n Fun campus at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport (LAL). The seven recipients, plus their friends and family, packed the room, as FAASTeam Program Manager Jim Minardy hosted the festivities and […]
Warbird Doctor
When Jamie Trudeau was a kid, his dad, who was a fighter pilot, wouldn’t take him to the airport. “Aviation is an addictive disease,” his dad told told him, “and there is no rehab.” But Trudeau didn’t listen. He got his license, then built six ultralights — and promptly crashed five of them. He found […]
Aero 454 debuts
Guardian Avionics by CO Guardian has introduced the Aero 454, which receives data from your airplane’s Garmin GPS system (430, 530, 650, 750, G900, or G1000) and transmits it simultaneously to as many three iPad/tablet devices held by pilots or passengers. The new Aero 454, an FAA/TSO certified product, can reference locations, maps, flight plans, […]
King Schools releases two new courses
While at SUN ’n FUN, John and Martha King of King Schools reported they will release an online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) by the end of April. The course follows the latest guidance from the FAA recently released as revision “G” of FAA Advisory Circular 61-83, which specifies more up-to-date topics for flight instructors […]
McCauley now accepting direct orders
McCauley Propeller Systems has begun retail sales, giving customers the option of purchasing propeller products directly from the OEM or through a McCauley Authorized Service Facility. “After analyzing the general aviation market and economic trends, the business decision has been made to alter and expand our current distribution strategy to accept orders directly from any […]
Checkertails slate reunion
The 67th annual reunion of the World War II 325th Fighter Group “Checkertail Clan” will be hosted at the “Wings Over Camarillo” Air Show Aug. 15-19, in Camarillo, Calif. Checkertail veteran pilot Frank Bolek and his daughter, Gayle, were at Sun ’n Fun yesterday visiting the airshow. The Checkertails, a legendary World War II unit with […]
Working together
Aspen Avionics, manufacturer of the Evolution Flight Display for general aviation pilots, and Avidyne report that certification is imminent for the interface between the Avidyne DFC90 Digital Autopilot and the Aspen Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display. Certification is expected in the next 90 days, officials reported at Sun ’n Fun. Initial certifications will be in […]
Bearing failure brings down Beech
This April 2010 accident reports 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 Bonanza. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Dayton, Ohio. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 50-year-old private pilot had just taken off when the […]
Fifth issue of SUN ‘n FUN Today ready to read
The fifth issue of SUN ‘n FUN Today is online. Read it here. SUN ‘n FUN Today includes show coverage, photo spreads of aircraft on the field and in the skies, plus advertised show specials for those wandering the vendor areas. Be sure to pick up a copy each day of the show either in print […]