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: Piper Twin Comanche. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Port Mansfield, Texas. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The commercial pilot and his passenger departed on […]
Meigs Field: Still a pyrrhic sacrifice to ‘good intentions’
With last month’s passing of Maggie Daley, Chicago’s former first lady, from power, political blogger Greg Hinz reflected on stillborn plans to turn Meigs Field, the city’s former lakefront GA airport, into a major city park. Years later: Nothing – a typical fate for big government plans and ever more so now under today’s tight […]
Tom Norton, former General Aviation News editor, dies at 77
It is with great sadness that I report that Captain Thomas French Norton, former senior editor of General Aviation News, died Dec. 2, of complications following heart surgery. He was 77. Tom leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Anna, and two grown daughters, Heather and Alexandra. Tom was a devoted family man and active […]
FAA administrator resigns after DWI
Following his Dec. 3 arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI), Randy Babbitt resigned as administrator of the FAA and his deputy has taken over as acting administrator. Michael Huerta is expected to remain in the post until after next year’s election to avoid any nomination squabbles prior to the election. When submitting his resignation Dec. […]
Wright brothers historian to speak at LSA Expo
Darrell Collins, chief historian and interpreter at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina, will tell the remarkable story of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s 1911 flight that lasted 9 minutes and 45 seconds and is regarded as the first soaring flight at next month’s U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla. Collins is on […]
DOT, FAA intervention sought in avgas case
California aviation businesses, sued at the state level and facing possible stiff fines for selling or distributing leaded avgas, want the U.S. Department of Transportation to intervene in the case and assert federal jurisdiction over regulation of the fuel, according to a report at AOPA.org, which notes that National Air Transportation Association President James Coyne […]
OnTime2 launches in App Store
Coradine Aviation Systems’ new Trip Planning App has been approved by Apple and is available for purchase in the App store. OnTime 2.0 is a universal App, working on both the iPhone and iPad and gives pilots fast and flexible trip planning, company officials said. With OnTime 2.0, pilots select departure and arrival airport, enter […]
Thunderbirds to perform at Sun ’n Fun
The United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds military jet demonstration team will appear at next year’s Sun ’n Fun. The 2012 Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo will be held March 27-April 1 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in Lakeland, Florida. “Sun ’n Fun is honored and excited to hear that the world […]
TUL FBO joins Avfuel network
United States Aviation at Oklahoma’s Tulsa International Airport has joined the Avfuel network of FBOs. The FBO prides itself on its quick turns, according to company officials. “The goal of our FBO is to quick turn your aircraft in eight to 12 minutes,” said Michael Curtis, FBO manager. The FBO also offers pilots and passengers […]