State aviation officials are trying to discourage Beaufort County from charging private pilots to fly to Hilton Head Island Airport (HXD) by placing a caveat on state grants. The S.C. Aeronautic Commission set new criteria in a vote Aug. 25 that landing fees or runway usage fees will be seen as “a negative consideration” for […]
NextGen focus of Wednesday hearing
A Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 5, will examine the costs, benefits, progress and management of the FAA’s NextGen air traffic control modernization program. Wednesday’s hearing, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis), will focus on the FAA’s progress in delivering measureable benefits to aviation users, as well as the agency’s projections for future benefits […]
Heritage Trail marks key sites in life of Glenn Curtiss
The Glenn H. Curtiss Heritage Trail now marks historic sites in and around Hammondsport, N.Y., where Curtiss worked and developed the innovative motorcycles and airplanes for which he is remembered. The trail consists of six post-mounted displays marking the following locations: The Curtiss bike shop The Curtiss factory The June Bug flight, the first pre-announced, […]
Sonoma Jet Center plans open house
Sonoma Jet Center will host its 2nd Annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Sonoma Jet Center facility at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, Calif. The Open House is free and open to all. “Our open house is an opportunity for everyone in Sonoma County to come […]
Wicks to hold red tag sale
Wicks Aircraft Supply will hold its first Red Tag Pre-Inventory Sale Nov. 18–19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its Will-Call Store. Discounts will be available on the entire warehouse inventory. Those who pay with cash will receive an addition 2% savings. There will be special bargain bins for selected building materials, vendors will […]
Vintage airplane CFIT kills one
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: Taylorcraft BC12-D1. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Skokomish, Wash. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 51-year-old Sport Pilot had accumulated about 180 hours, with […]
Touring the Aero Accessories plant
Despite claims that manufacturing in North Carolina is in a death spiral, aircraft-related production continues to grow at an ever-increasing list of companies, including GE Aviation, GE Honda Aero Engines, HondaJet, Spirit AeroSystems, BE Aerospace, MX Aircraft, Allegro LSA, Twin Commander Aircraft, Atlantic Aero, Preceptor Aircraft, and probably a few others I’m not aware of. […]
The ups and downs of scorched earth
When dealing with political issues, there are multiple methods of making your voice heard. Few are as productive in the short term as the scorched earth method. Ironically, few are as detrimental in the long term too. The problem is that you are willingly making the choice to play with fire and, as we all […]
Purple Heart recipient wins Able Flight scholarship
Sergeant Chris Gschwendtner felt fortunate that he had suffered “only a concussion” after an explosion destroyed his vehicle on the infamous “IED Alley,” the highway from Baghdad to the city’s international airport. It was Valentine’s Day of 2008, and the young infantryman had escaped with body and spirit intact. But not for long. Less than five weeks […]