FlightSafety International has promoted John Brasfield to manager of the company’s Cessna Aircraft Maintenance Learning Center in Wichita, Kansas. “John’s experience with FlightSafety along with his management, technical and communications abilities, made him the ideal choice to manage our Cessna Maintenance Learning Center,” said Greg McGowan, Vice President Operations. He has held a number of […]
Warbird crashes on landing
This March 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: North American P-51D. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Chandler, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 54-year-old pilot had logged about 4,890 hours, including […]
The staggering chicken test
In response to a previous column in which I expounded on the problem of exhaust valve recession with unleaded fuels, I received a note from Ron Newberg, which reminded me of work done by the oil companies back in the early 1970s. I actually ran some of these tests, in which we demonstrated that Tri-Cresyl […]
EAA, AOPA file 3rd Class Medical exemption
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) today jointly filed a request for an exemption with the FAA that, if granted, would give pilots who fly recreationally the option of getting a 3rd class medical or, instead, participating in a recurrent online education program that will teach them how […]
Flying High Coffee Sun ’n Fun’s first choice
The folks at Flying High Coffee are busy preparing 500 pounds of top-grade coffee beans for next week’s Sun ’n Fun. The company, founded by a pilot, is the new official coffee of the airshow. “We’ve carefully combined a very special blend of top-grade coffee beans to bring to Lakeland,” notes Rob Riggen, the founder and […]
Angel Flight Southeast to host Texas Hold’em tournament at Sun ’n Fun
Angel Flight Southeast, which coordinates free air transportation for children and adults with medical or compelling humanitarian needs, will host a charity Texas Hold’em Tournament March 31 during the Sun ’n Fun airshow in Lakeland, Florida. For more than 25 years, Angel Flight Southeast has been helping people throughout Florida and the Southeast. All pilots […]
Lindbergh Foundation Day at Sun ’n Fun
The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation will hold its third annual Lindbergh Foundation Day and Aviation Green Alliance Forums on Thursday, March 29, at Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland, Florida. A series of hour-long forums and panel discussions will be held at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy starting at 9 a.m. “This full […]
Ever-increasing prices make fuel planning more important
The price of oil has risen nearly 20% in the last six months, to well over $100 a barrel, pushing up aviation fuel costs and forcing pilots to do redouble their focus on fuel planning, according to a report at NBAA.org, which offers several tips on how to deal with the increased costs.
Stock Flight Systems introduces EMU for Rotax 912iS
Stock Flight Systems has introduced an Engine Management Unit for BRP’s new Rotax 912iS aero engine. The four-cylinder, 100-hp engine features a dual redundant electronic Engine Control Unit (ECU). The EMU 912iS of Stock Flight Systems communicates with the redundant CANaerospace data bus interface of the ECU and provides the pilot with all engine indications, […]