Hartzell Propeller has received an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its new 3-blade Top Prop conversion kit for Cessna Skylane R182, FR182, TR182 and T182 (Lycoming O-540-J3C5D or O-540-L3C5D powered) models. These turbocharged and/or retractable Skylanes were last built in 1986 in both the USA and France. The new Top Prop kit improves performance, […]
Resources to help pilots meet new Practical Test Standards
The FAA Safety Team has released an updated advisory circular for flight review and instrument proficiency check, and added a new appendix to the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) to help pilots and instructors prepare for new Practical Test Standards (PTS), according to a report at EAA.org.
Museum showcases historical address
The Connecticut Air & Space Center is presenting an educational display of historical artifacts and photos that tell the history of 550 Main Street in Stratford, Conn. The buildings at 550 Main Street saw Igor Sikorsky develop his seaplane business, which help fund his invention the helicopter. It saw World War II on the horizon […]
Loss of control on landing
This June 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: American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC. Injuries: None. Location: Arcola, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings under […]
Shades of grey
General Aviation News columnist Dan Johnson recently wrote about LSAs vs. Cessna 150s. The post discusses the pros and cons of a new Light-Sport Aircraft versus the venerable Cessna 150. Dan was a long-time 150 owner and is “the man” when it comes to new LSAs, so he’s as much an expert on both — […]
The closing of Mattituck
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: I believe it was in 2003 that my brother told me about a program called the Mattituck Engine Workshop sponsored, as you can guess, by Teledyne Mattituck Services. It was free and all you had to do was to get there. The program took a group of people, put them in […]
Interactive map pinpoints common accident sites
Air Safety Institute’s interactive accident map shows that pilots keep getting caught by the same snags that have trapped others before them. The map reveals year-by-year patterns in accidents related to takeoff, landing, fuel management, VFR-into-IMC, and stall/spin accidents. Check it out here.
FAA embraces testing recommendations
The FAA has embraced the majority of an advisory committee’s recommendations for improving its testing materials in a prompt show of its support for the joint effort with the aviation industry to improve pilot knowledge tests, according to a report at AOPA.org. FAA officials say they plan to implement most recommendations of the Airmen Testing […]
Operation P.R.O.P. helps young deaf and blind girl take off
It’s an intriguing story: A young Florida girl, just 15, is deaf and blind. And she recently got the chance to fly a plane. According to a story in the St. Augustine Record, the flight was coordinated by Linwood Nooe, the director of Operation P.R.O.P., a nonprofit organization that offers free flights to people with […]