Aircraft: Luscombe 8A. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Schaumburg, Ill. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: According to a witness on the ground, the airplane took off and had climbed to about 150 feet above the runway when the engine quit. The airplane stalled, and spun into the ground. During the post-crash investigation it was discovered […]
What a way to see an airshow!
I’ve been to many airshows – enough to pass on most theses days. But this October in Daytona Beach, Florida, a remarkable beachfront airshow pulled me in. Here, you can literally drive all the way into the show, park right on the show line and watch from your car on the beach. There are waterfront […]
A sigh of relief
Soon, it passes. I don’t refer to the move from summer’s heat to the cold days of winter, but rather to the merciful end to the political season that cannot come too soon for many aviators. Of course, we worry about how various moves by the government may influence our flying, both in costs and […]
‘Half the cost, twice the safety’
I recently attended an ASTM meeting. This is for the standards that are used to “certify” Light-Sport Aircraft. Yes, it’s pretty dry stuff but it is the way such a staggering development of 128 new models of LSA has been possible in just seven years, an accomplishment not replicated anywhere in aviation, worldwide, since airplanes […]
Ameritech to sell ECi’s line of experimental engines
Engine Components International (ECI) of San Antonio, Texas, and Ameritech Industries, the parent company of Eagle Engines and American Propeller Service of Redding, Calif., have entered into a dealer sales agreement for the California company to sell the TITAN EXP experimental series factory assembled new engines. The TITAN EXP series include the OX-320, IO-320, OX-340 […]
Autopilot approved for WACO
WACO Classic Aircraft has won FAA approval of the S-TEC System 55X autopilot STC for installation in the WACO YMF-F5C and 5D. WACO will now be able to offer an autopilot installation in the aircraft, which will help improve the safety of flying and lessen the workload for the pilot by offering altitude preselector, flight […]
New filler cap for de-icer debuts
D.W.Davies has developed a new filler cap for the 1 gallon bottle and the 2-1/2 gallon bottle of TKS Fluid. The filler cap makes it easier to dispense the product into an aircraft with a self-burping spout and valve so as not to spill any, company officials said. Price: $14.95 each. For more information: Tim […]
First flight in 25 years, last flight ever
Aircraft: Maule M-5-180C. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Emory, Texas. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot, age 80, had logged more than 1,300 hours, his son said he had not accumulated many hours in the Maule, and had limited experience flying the airplane from his airstrip. Prior to purchasing the airplane, the pilot had […]
GAO calls for GA to report flight hours, as well as data on recurrent training
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is calling for the FAA to start collecting flight hours for all general aviation aircraft, collect data on recurrent training, and set “specific safety improvement goals for individual industry segments using a data driven, risk management approach.” While the U.S. aviation system is one of the safest in the […]