This February 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: Beech Musketeer. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Winter Haven, Fla. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot, who had logged more than 468 […]
Ask Paul: What’s best? A flush or overhaul?
Q: I recently found paper towel bits and pieces in a Lycoming engine in an aerobatic airplane. The pilot said he saw the oil pressure go to “zero,” so he reduced power, and landed safely. Would you suggest a flush or overhaul? What’s the best way to go about this? ED NELSON, via email A: […]
Next step for Pilot’s Bill of Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Pilot’s Bill of Rights is moving along through Congress after Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) recently introduced a companion bill to one introduced last year in the Senate by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), which now has more than 60 co-sponsors. The two bills are meant to improve the relationship between general aviation […]
Cloudy skies ahead for ethanol
On Dec. 31, 2011, the 45 cent per gallon federal “blender credit” for ethanol finally ended with little fanfare, as described in this article from U.S. News. Since fuel producers are still required to meet the RFS ethanol mandates in EISA 2007, the end to the credits will have no effect on the continued adulteration […]
AOPA sees déjà vu with user fees
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller is expressing disappointment that as part of his $3.8 trillion fiscal year 2013 budget, the president has included a $100 per-flight fee to fund the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control services. “Regrettably, the Obama Administration continues to pursue user fees for private aircraft despite the fact […]
Negotiations begin for California avgas settlement
AVweb is reporting that aviation interests and the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) have started negotiations that could lead to an out-of-court settlement regarding the use of leaded avgas in California. Read Glenn Pew’s report here.
INT wins $1.85 million grant for taxiway improvements
The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation recently awarded $1.85 million in Federal Block Grant funds to Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem for a taxiway improvement project. This project will replace the primary pavement leading to the current hangars in the corporate aviation area. The work will consist of grading, patching and […]
Sun ’n Fun unveils incentives for pilots flying to airshow
This year all pilots who fly into Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport (LAL) for the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In and Expo qualify for a Fly-In Pilot Discount package. Discounts include $30 for a daily ticket if pre-ordered online. In addition, each “Fly-In Pilot” will receive a Sun ’n Fun 2012 Welcome Packet which includes the following: Bottle of […]
Raisbeck Engineering’s sales top previous year
Gross sales at Raisbeck Engineering continued to grow for the third straight year, following 2008’s industry-wide setback, company officials report. Total aircraft receiving one or more Raisbeck Performance Systems topped 161 worldwide, with an additional 99 newly manufactured King Air 250s and 350s receiving Raisbeck Systems on Hawker Beechcraft Corporation production lines. Projected sales for […]