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 172. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Park Rapids, Minn. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land at night in […]
In the pink: Judie Betz’s one-of-a-kind RV-12
I was shooting photos of a vintage airplane at AirVenture when a man came up to me and asked if I was the owner of the RV-12 in homebuilt parking. “What makes you ask if it is mine?” I asked, thinking it was one of the stranger questions I have been asked at AirVenture. “Because […]
Cirrus celebrates 5,000th delivery
On opening day of the AOPA Aviation Summit, Cirrus Aircraft celebrated a milestone with the delivery of its 5,000th airplane. The company, which began production in Duluth, Minn., 11 years ago, has delivered aircraft to more than 60 countries around the world. The 5000th SR airplane has been purchased by Joe Whisenhunt of Little Rock, […]
Skycatcher deliveries surpass 100
Cessna officials said today at the AOPA Aviation Summit in Hartford that it has surpassed 100 deliveries of the Model 162 Skycatcher Light-Sport Aircraft. The milestone 100th aircraft was delivered to Sporty’s Pilot Shop this summer and will be given away in Sporty’s annual drawing early next year. Cessna began deliveries of the Skycatcher in […]
Fly-In and Help Out
In the wake of Hurricane Irene, pilots are invited to join in Bahamas Habitat’s upcoming Fly-In & Help Out weekend Thursday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 23. The organization is extending an open invitation to all interested aircraft owners and pilots to join this mission, which benefits the disaster relief and habitat repair operations of […]
Connected Panel now compatible with Garmin GNS Navigators
Aspen Avionics announced today that Connected Panel, a new technology that wirelessly links mobile devices to certified avionics, will be compatible with the Garmin GNS 400W/500W series navigators when Connected Panel is released at the end of the year. With this new capability, Connected Panel Enabled applications will be able to synchronize and cross-fill flight […]
Second AOPA Flight Training Summit draws 100
Less than one year after the first AOPA Flight Training Summit, the AOPA Flight Training Student Retention Initiative presented its findings at a gathering of nearly 100 participants in Hartford, Conn., prior to AOPA Aviation Summit. According to a report at AOPA.org, AOPA Director of Flight Training Initiatives Jennifer Storm has spearheaded the initiative. She […]
AOPA awards flight training scholarships
Recognizing that the cost of learning to fly can pose a significant barrier for some student pilots, AOPA earlier this year established two $5,000 flight training scholarships — the AOPA Flight Training Scholarship and the Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Scholarship. In addition, both Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) and Jeppesen approached AOPA to provide scholarship […]
FAA proposes $2.4 million penalty against Cessna
The FAA is proposing a $2.4 million penalty against Cessna Aircraft Co. after carbon composite parts of the wing of one of its aircraft came apart during flight. On Dec. 6, 2010, an FAA test pilot performing a production audit test flight in a Cessna Corvalis experienced a failure of the skin on the left […]