This June 2010 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: Piper Archer. Injuries: 2 Serious. Location: Great Barrington, Mass. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, who was attempting to land at night […]
North Carolina builders progress on Stits Skycoupe
Last September I reported on our efforts to complete a rare Stits SA-7D Skycoupe project first begun in the early 1960s. Our group of homebuilders in central North Carolina set a few basic goals to achieve by the end of the year: Form a club; recover all flying surfaces; and return the plane’s Lycoming O-290-D […]
NTSB issues safety alert on limitations of cockpit weather displays
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a Safety Alert to warn pilots using in-cockpit FIS-B and Satellite Weather display systems that the NEXRAD “age indicator” can be misleading. The actual NEXRAD data can be as much as 20 minutes older than the age indication on the display in the cockpit. […]
Response to Cessna Pilots article on avgas
The June 2012 issue of the Cessna Pilots Association Magazine featured an article from Jim Cavanagh titled “Get the Lead Out!” The third part in a series, it dealt with alternatives to 100LL. While it includes a good review of efforts to find an unleaded 100-octane replacement, we felt the need to weigh in on […]
The Great Debate: What’s the worst FAA regulation?
What’s the worst FAA regulation? That’s the topic of The Great Debate at Air Facts. Check it out here and add to the discussion.
Can you fly with a pacemaker?
Did you know the FAA allows pilots with implanted cardiac pacemakers to fly under all classes of medical certification? As of the end of 2010, there were 57 first-class, 59 second-class, and 322 third-class airmen who had been granted medical certification with a permanent pacemaker, according to this blog post at AOPA.org by Dr. Warren […]
Galt Airport on auction block
A story in the Chicago Tribune reports that Galt Airport will go on the foreclosure auction block this week over a debt of $16 million. The story notes: “Galt has some quirky characteristics — including a cabin in which hangar tenants can spend the night — but its story reveals some of the pressures facing […]
Sporty’s unveils new iPad briefcase
With the tremendous popularity of the iPad, many pilots are carrying less gear in the cockpit. Stacks of paper charts and heavy manuals have been replaced by a single tablet — and flight bags need to adapt. That’s why Sporty’s has introduced the new Pilot’s iPad Briefcase. A soft padded main compartment is the right […]
Wicks adds to product line-up
Wicks Aircraft Supply has added a number of new products that it will be showcasing at this summer’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. If you order ahead and plan to go to the big show, you can even pick up your products there. New products include: 406mHz ELT from ACK: This new, GPS-capable unit also operates on […]