This September 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: Cessna 150. Injuries: None. Location: Rosedale, Mich. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The 84-year-old pilot did not hold a medical certificate. Neither he […]
Why can’t GA be more like renting a car? Once, it was…
Debates about GA’s practicality are weighty, sometimes bitter, discussions I think often miss the point. But one of the best deals I ever found was “Hertz-like” plane rental at Lease-A-Plane. It opened up lots of possibilities. A big gripe of renters: The “daily minimum,” a minimum of flight hours to keep the plane all day. […]
Positive reports continue out of Oshkosh
Reports continue positively for results at AirVenture 2011…despite FAA’s partial shutdown, a media frenzy over the debt ceiling, a roller coaster ride in the stock markets, and a continuing bum housing market. If you can smile after all that, things must be improving. Here’s more evidence of improvement: Icon Aircraft announced it secured 143 delivery […]
ExxonMobil departs general aviation
ExxonMobil quietly announced its departure from general aviation sales of 100LL and Jet-A in July. According to this AIN Online article, the company will end sales of the fuels to general aviation and dissolve its Avitat FBO network. As documented in this GAfuels article, 100LL sales have been dropping by some 4% annually for years, […]
Terror warning on GA airplanes issued, but feds say no plots known
CNN is reporting that U.S. officials say terrorists could try to use small aircraft in attacks, but have no specific information that a plot is in the works. The report quotes a notice issued by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI that states: “Violent extremists with knowledge of general aviation and access to […]
Betty Skelton, ‘First Lady of Aerobatics’, passes
Aerobatics legend and International Aerobatics Club Hall of Fame member Betty Skelton — the “First Lady of Aerobatics” — died at her home in Winter Park, Florida, on Aug. 30 at the age of 85, according to a report at EAA.org. Skelton was a pioneer as a female aerobatic competitor and air show performer, winning […]
iFlightPlanner.com joins Connected Panel program
iFlightPlanner.com will be working with Aspen Avionics as a Connected Panel partner to enable connectivity between its soon to be released iPad application, iFlightPlanner for iPad presented by Sennheiser, and the Aspen Avionics Connected Panel. “We are very excited to be working with Aspen Avionics as part of this project. Providing pilots with a safe […]
New FBO opens at ASD
On Sept. 1, the City of Slidell opened the doors of its new FBO at Slidell Municipal Airport (ASD) in Louisiana. “The city’s intention is to provide its based clients and the aviation community at large with superior service,” said Freddy Drennan, mayor. “We have an abundance of both avgas (100 LL) and Jet A […]
Wicks offers iPad freedom with MyClip
More and more pilots are incorporating the versatile iPads with their flying. Problem is, where do you put the iPad during a cross country flight? MyClip has come up with a solution that turns the computer into a kneeboard. This allows hands-free operation while airborne while making it easier to type or change screens, according […]