World record holder and five-time NASA space shuttle pilot Robert “Hoot” Gibson is one of the high-profile speakers scheduled to attend the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ 14th annual AMA Expo Jan. 6-8, 2012, at the Ontario Convention Center in California. The NASA DROID (Dryden Remotely Operated Integrated Drone) and a 30-foot scale model of the […]
Applications for AMT Employer Award available
Applications for the 2012 Aviation Maintenance Technician Employer Award Program are now available from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). The award program, now in its second year, is designed to recognize companies that employ aviation maintenance technicians (AMT) and encourage and support AMT training. The award is based on the percentage of AMTs employed […]
Flightline TV looking for pledges
Have you watched Flightline TV? Thirteen episodes were produced for telecast in Minnesota and Wisconsin and show founders would like to take Flightline TV national in 2012. To make that happen, Flightline TV is calling on “pilots, general aviation businesses, and fans of aviation to make this happen.” Flightline TV has created a project on […]
Landmark Aviation opens FBO at OAK
Landmark Aviation has opened its FBO at Oakland International Airport. Landmark’s FBO at OAK is its first in the San Francisco Bay Area and the 12th location added to the network in 2011. The FBO is centrally located at OAK’s North Field in the Hangar 5 facility. Landmark has initiated a multi-million dollar renovation project, […]
Avidyne autopilots certified for Matrix and Mirage
Avidyne Corp. has received Technical Standard Order (TSO) and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval of the DFC90 autopilot for Entegra-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage aircraft, as well as TSO and STC approval of the DFC100 autopilot for Release 9 (R9)-equipped Piper PA-46 Matrix aircraft. The attitude-based DFC90 is a plug-and-play replacement for the existing […]
Baron loses landing gear
This December 2009 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 Baron. Injuries: None. Location: Lexington, Ky. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was practicing instrument approaches. He performed a missed approach, […]
Connecting flights
The end of the year is a time of reflection. As 2011 winds down, my family and I experienced an unreal 19-day stretch that put a great deal into perspective about life and aviation. Here’s a peek into a public journal: Nov. 10: My wife, Deb, and I were in the Indianapolis International Airport when […]
Stedman named NW Mountain Regional instructor of the year
Englewood, Colorado — Bob Stedman, president of Independence Aviation, has been named 2011 Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) of the Year for the Northwest Mountain Region by the General Aviation Awards Program. Stedman automatically becomes a candidate for National CFI of the Year, an honor bestowed in early 2012. The selection process begins with local FAA […]
Recovery continues for Reno crash survivor Larry Cruz
I spoke with Larry Cruz‘s wife, Tracy, last week about his recovery from the accident at this year’s Reno Air Races. He finally made it home on November, two months after the accident. While hospital-bound, friends and family outfit their home to make it easier, and safer, for Larry to move around. A new prosthetic […]