Jim DiMatteo, a decorated U.S. Naval Aviator who has served in several aviation leadership positions, is joining EAA as Vice President, AirVenture Features and Attractions. In that role, he will be responsible for developing and coordinating the programs for the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in. DiMatteo recently retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain […]
Platinum Flight Center joins Avfuel network
Platinum Flight Center at Outagamie Regional Airport (ATW) in Appleton, Wis., just up the road from Oshkosh, home to EAA AirVenture, has partnered with fuel supplier Avfuel to become part of the Avfuel-branded FBO network. “Avfuel provides superior customer support and backing,” said Platinum Flight Center Operations Manager Patrick Smith. “The initial installation was flawless, […]
Pre-existing medical condition leads to crash
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: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Gatesville, Texas. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The pilot’s medical history included an accident that resulted in […]
Death knell for LightSquared?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — After long and detailed — and often contentious — efforts to work out a safe way for LightSquared to build a network of about 40,000 land-based towers in the U.S. for high-speed wireless transmissions without interfering with GPS, the battle seems to be nearing a satisfactory conclusion for general aviation and others […]
100 mayors denounce Obama’s attacks on GA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General aviation is a vital part of our economy and national infrastructure, and we are concerned about the repercussions of your statements about it. That, in essence was what the mayors of 100 communities in 48 states recently sent in a letter to President Obama. The letter was coordinated by the Alliance […]
Florida House passes aviation tax exemption
The Florida House of Representatives has voted to expand the state’s sales tax exemption on aviation maintenance parts and labor to include lighter turbine and piston aircraft. House Bill 7087, an economic development package, passed Feb. 15 with provisions making aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight of more than 2,000 pounds eligible for the […]
Florida panhandle airport adds autogas
Pilots living in or flying through the Pensacola, Florida, area have good reason to cheer the news that autogas is now available at the Peter Prince Airport (2R4) in Milton. According to an airport spokeswoman, “We added autogas last summer. We are currently selling 93 octane fuel for $3.95 per gallon.” That’s $1.20 less than […]
Icon A5 completes spin-resistance testing
Icon Aircraft’s A5 amphibious Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) has successfully completed a regimen of spin-resistance test flights. This milestone will make the A5 the first production aircraft in history to be designed to and completely comply with the FAA’s full-envelope Part 23 spin-resistance standards developed from NASA’s work on the topic, according to officials with […]
Goodyear signs on to sponsor Michael Goulian
Goodyear Aviation will join Whelen Engineering as co-title sponsor of Michael Goulian’s 2012 air show season. “We’re honored and thrilled to have Goodyear Aviation join our family of sponsor partners,” said Mike Goulian, who also serves as Goulian Aerosports’ president. “I have relied on Goodyear tires on both my airshow planes and the planes we […]