These October 2009 accident reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Piper Archer. Injuries:1 Fatal, 3 Minor. Location: Oliver Springs, Tenn. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land on a […]
How’s your elevator speech?
In my position as a city commissioner I often find myself being lobbied by a resident or a developer who has a position they want me to adopt. That’s fair. In fact, it’s the basis of our system of government. We are, after all, a representative republic. Periodically we elect someone from our midst to […]
Working together
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When William Piper Sr. was active in bringing aviation to many people in different walks of life, the interests, groups, companies, and politicians were fragmented. He commented to me that it took 50 years before the public realized there should be beltway routes around cities rather than force all traffic to go […]
Hit or Myth? Flying with duct tape
James Wiebe is a different sort of airplane pioneer. He doesn’t make an LSA. He bought the rights to the former Kitfox Lite and has gone through several iterations of changing and improving the airplane. This makes sense considering his background in the computer accessory field, where he learned the constant upgrade path so common […]
Swift Fuel tested in radial engine
Swift Enterprises, which is developing a biofuel alternative to 100LL, has completed an informal round of testing of its high-octane, unleaded, sustainable aviation gasoline in an unmodified World War II-era radial engine. More than 100 gallons of Swift Enterprises‘ 100SF powered a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine during three days of testing conducted […]
Education can replace third-class medical
In his latest blog, EAA’s Mac McClellan states that the petition by EAA and AOPA to allow required medical education to replace the third-class medical for recreational flying is the first proposal that can not only improve safety, but more importantly, be approved by the FAA. Read his full blog post here.
Tecnam P2006T certified in Canada
Transport Canada has certified the Tecnam P2006T twin. “The Tecnam P2006T Next-Generation twin has established itself as a real game changer,’’ said Phil Solomon, CEO of Tecnam North America. ‘’We have a number of potential Canadian customers eagerly anticipating Transport Canada’s certification of the Tecnam Twin, so we expect to announce our first orders very […]
PS Engineering offers free installation on upgrades
Aircraft owners with a GMA340 audio selector panel can upgrade to one of the PMA8000 series audio panels without installation labor costs, thanks to a limited time offer. Vice President Gary Picou said, “We understand that the cost of flying is ever increasing, and pilots are being pinched from many directions. In an effort to […]
Lecture recalls Cal Rogers’ epic 1911 flight
On Nov. 5 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, aviation historian and author Mike Lavelle will present the sometimes-madcap story of the first flight across the United States, “Flying Cross Country with Your Wife, Mother and the Navy in 1911.” In 1911 aviator Cal Rodgers tried to win the $50,000 prize offered by publisher […]