Cessna is renaming its jet-fuel burning turbo aircraft unveiled at AirVenture last month as the Turbo Skylane NXT. It’s now called the Turbo Skylane JT-ATM. “As confirmed by customer feedback at Oshkosh, the name Turbo Skylane JT-ATM better captures and reflects the innovative features of the new plane than the NXT designation,” Cessna officials said […]
New high school leverages aviation to the max
Imagine a high school that takes Fridays off and includes flight training as part of the curriculum. That’s reality for some 300 Albuquerque students at the new Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics & Science Academy (SAMS) located at Double Eagle II Airport, according to a report at AOPA.org. The charter school, located in the building that once […]
Zenith celebrates 20th anniversary
Kit builder Zenith Aircraft is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. “Over the past 20 years kit and experimental aircraft have evolved,” said Sebastien Heintz, president of Zenith Aircraft Co. “However, the aircraft kits and the industry have changed drastically.” Maturity can be a good thing, he noted. “In terms of kit quality, precision, parts […]
Letter: KidVenture, 7-year-old key to getting AirVenture juices flowing again
Last week I wrote, “A suggestion for keeping the magic of AirVenture alive.” I’ve received a handful of emails thanking me for the post, some of which offered personal experiences. A few I’m still following up on, but following is what I received from Bill Middlebrook, president of Penn Yan Aero and longtime friend. Suffice it to […]
Just an illusion of privacy
“The Block Aircraft Registration Request [Barr] program doesn’t really provide privacy; it’s just a barrier,” Dustin Hoffman, president of Los Angeles-based IT engineering firm Exigent Systems, is quoted in a report at Aviation International News. Hoffman, who has a private pilot certificate and flies a piston single for his business, set out to prove his […]
First Thun Cubs and Classics a hit
PUYALLUP, Wash. — The first Thun Cubs and Classics at Thun Field (KPLU) was a hit. After low morning weather lifted, Cubs, Champs, a Howard DGA, a Fleet and several other aircraft arrived to enjoy a day of hanging out at the Spencer Aircraft-hosted fly-in. In addition to a dozen Cubs (by my count) and […]
Win a ride in a T-6 Texan
By DALE FORTON. The Houston Chapter of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) is selling raffle tickets at the Wings & Wheels event on Sept. 15 at the Hobby Airport 1940 Air Terminal Museum. The drawing will be held that day. First prize is a ride in a North American T-6 Texan. Second place is […]
NextGen Institute slates annual public meeting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The NextGen Institute, a partnership between the government and private sector to work on the development and implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), will hold its annual public meeting Sept. 21 at the Department of Transportation headquarters. The meeting, “NextGen: Great Promise and Challenges Remain for Government and Industry,” […]
Bad valve leads to crash
This August 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: Grumman American AA-5A. Injuries: None. Location: Lakeview, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that the preflight run-up was uneventful. Shortly […]