Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) has introduced legislation to fully reinstate the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, so that aircraft owners and operators can opt out of having their flights broadcast over the Internet. “The federal government’s dissemination to the public of information relating to a noncommercial flight carried out by a private owner or […]
User fees in Obama’s latest proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nation’s leading general aviation associations today forcefully opposed user fees for GA flights proposed in President Barack Obama’s proposal for addressing the nation’s deficit and job crises. The Aircraft Electronics Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Helicopter Association International, the […]
AOPA to launch new regional manager program
In the first significant change in its field representation program in decades, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will create a new team of seven full-time regional managers, whose focus will be on building government relations and strong local aviation communities. To augment the efforts of these regional managers, AOPA will refocus its existing […]
A tale of two airports
A recent story in the Santa Monica Daily Press compares Santa Monica Airport (SMO) with North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), which receives similar complaints from neighbors. It’s a good read and well worth getting about 3/4 of the way down, when the reporter says this: “In 2009, general aviation pilots logged just under 24 million […]
Avidyne unveils ‘multi-touch’ capability
Avidyne revealed that multi-touch capability will be included with its recently-announced IFD540 GPS/Navigation/Communication system. Multi-touch allows pilots to gesture using two or more fingers on the touch screen to scroll and zoom the map range setting in and out. “In addition to all the great features we announced at the introduction of the IFD540, multi-touch […]
Pilot fails to maintain airspeed
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: Aventura II. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Boca Raton, Fla. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 155-hour pilot, 78, held a private pilot certificate, […]
The OX-5 racers
In a previous column, I discussed the penetration of the ubiquitous, war-surplus Curtiss OX-5 engine into the new aircraft market, which lasted into the 1930s. Not only was the OX-5 engine used as a powerplant option on new aircraft, it also powered custom-built aircraft that were used in exhibition work and races. In fact, the […]
Tailwheel takeoff goes bad
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: Piper Pacer. Injuries: None. Location: Bozeman, Mont. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The flight instructor said he was giving the private pilot some […]
Flying solo at nearly half a century
By MARK J. DONOVAN As I recently celebrated my 49th birthday, I couldn’t help but be a bit reflective about my life to date. I’m quickly nearing the half century mark and still feel I’ve got a lot more to accomplish, but a lot less time to do it. By most accounts I’ve done a […]