The pilot’s inability to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while he intentionally flew at a low altitude during a practice for a short takeoff and landing flight competition.
Picture of the Day: The importance of aviation to firefighting
Penny Hamilton submitted this photo and note: “This Chinook helicopter, along with several others, deployed to Granby-Grand County Airport/Emily Warner Field (KGNB) in Colorado, to fight the Indian Peaks Wilderness Wildfire in a heavily-wooded, rugged area seven miles northeast of the popular summer tourist area in Fraser, Colorado. This heavy-lift helicopter is based in Yellowstone, Montana. The crew is headed to refuel before lifting off again.”
A checkered past does not preclude a bright future
There was a period in my career when I spent time restoring warbirds. I learned a valuable lesson during that phase of life: Anything can be repaired if you’ve got enough money and time. Anything.
Two Maine backcountry airfields reopen
Officials with the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) have completed a lease agreement that re-opens two airfields in Maine for public use: Ragmuff Airport (ME26) in Piscataquis County and Estcourt Airport in Aroostook County.
6,000 Dream Flights and counting…
Dream Flights, a non-profit organization that travels the country offering free rides to veterans in Stearmans, recently celebrated its 6,000th flight. The milestone Dream Flight was given to Don Muncy, a 100-year-old Navy veteran airman who served in World War II and Korea, in late July 2023.
Congressional leaders to be honored by National Aviation Hall of Fame
The new Congressional Leadership Award “pays homage to exceptional American leaders whose dedicated public service has bolstered the nation’s strength and significantly propelled advancements in aviation and aerospace,” according to NAHF officials.
Lake engine catches on fire
Lake pilot recommends AD after engine stops in flight.
Picture of the Day: Hot and dry
Chris Souchon submitted this photo and note: “The Macha Mission airstrip in Zambia with our Navajo surrounded by curious school children.”
Japanese seaplanes and the second bombing of Pearl Harbor
Underwing carriage of torpedoes, bombs, or depth charges made the Kawanishi H8K1 and H8K2 lethal sub and shipping hunters. But their debut as land bombers the night of March 4, 1942, proved inauspicious when cloud cover obscured the prized target of Honolulu. The largely unheralded second attack by the Japanese on Oahu was a bust.