This October 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: Mooney M20. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, the airplane was not […]
Don’t reinvent the wheel
In the great pantheon of mottos there may be none more pertinent than this: Don’t reinvent the wheel. It’s short. It’s pithy. It’s easy to remember. Maybe best of all, it’s true. So with that in mind, I will make this suggestion: If you are a fan of general aviation, if you believe human beings […]
BP gives up on cellulosic ethanol
In news that is sure to send shock waves throughout the ethanol industry and the EPA, one of the world’s largest oil companies is shelving plans to produce so-called cellulosic ethanol from non-food plants such as wood chips and switchgrass. As described in an article from the Wall Street Journal, “BP PLC Thursday said it […]
Burt Rutan’s Boomerang flies with UAV Navigation avionics
OSHKOSH — UAV Navigation reports that Burt Rutan’s Boomerang twin-engine, asymmetric plane has been fitted with an Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) which runs on the company’s AP04OEM2 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS). Lightweight materials were used to build this twin-engined, turbocharged, long-range, high-altitude airplane, company officials report, adding its asymmetrical […]
New book helps pilots get the most from flying their Cessna 210s
SAN DIEGO — Just released is an all-new primer on owning and flying the Cessna 210 by five-time Master CFI Chuck McGill. “Flying the Cessna 210: The Secrets Unlocked” will help pilots master the art of piloting this complex airplane, says McGill, who offers his wisdom on optimum performance and safe operations based on his […]
‘The Aviators’ debuts as best seller on iTunes
“The Aviators,” one of PBS’ most-watched television reality docuseries, reports that the debut episode of its third season was the number one “best-selling” iTunes download of a free non-fiction television episode on its inaugural day of availability. Episode 3.01 garnered thousands of downloads on its initial day of release, Sept. 18. Each of the first […]
Helicopter scholarships available
The deadline is fast approaching for the 18 scholarships that the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) will award to students in the helicopter industry. If you are currently enrolled in school and working toward a career in rotorcraft, you are eligible to have some of your tuition paid for. Go to HelicopterFoundation.org or Rotor.com and download […]
First-time author wins Combs Gates Award
DAYTON, Ohio — The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) will award its 10th Annual Combs Gates Award to first-time author, Regina Wirtanen Buker, of Baltimore, Maryland. Buker is being recognized for her as yet unpublished book, “The Skytrain Pilot: Flying a C-47 into Combat,” about her late father, Lieutenant George Neale Wirtanen. Buker will […]
CenTex Aerospace receives STC for King Air 200 gross weight increase
WACO, Texas — CenTex Aerospace has received approval for its Halo 250 STC conversion for King Air 200s, which raises the maximum takeoff weight from 12,500 to 13,420 pounds, resulting in a 920 pound increase in payload capacity. The STC also moves the King Air 200 into commuter category, allowing transport of passengers and cargo […]