This August 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: Taylorcraft BCS-65 Injuries: None. Location: Boulder, Colo. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, the engine lost power shortly after takeoff. […]
Is there still ‘Room at the Top?’
Drew Steketee was president of BE A PILOT, senior vp-communications for AOPA and executive director of the Partnership for Improved Air Travel. He also headed PR and media relations for Beech, GAMA and the Airport Operators Council International. We’re packing up our home of 21 years to leave Washington, D.C., for the last time. In […]
Death — and billions of dollars — at risk with LightSquared plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A report from the FAA, leaked to the press, about the dangers of LightSquared’s plans to build a wireless communication system might be the reason the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association wonder why LightSquared is silent on the issue. The report indicates LightSquared’s plans could result […]
GA won’t repeat 2008 rout
With equity markets whipsawing, national debt issues, and overall economic uncertainty, some in the general aviation sector wonder if it’s a precursor to another 2008-like industry free-fall. “Not so,” asserts industry analyst Brian Foley. “I wasn’t shy in publicly proclaiming the sky was falling back then, and I’m now categorically insisting that same scenario just […]
Call for more homebuilders to participate in safety survey
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 5,000 experimental aircraft and homebuilders have completed a survey on how these aircraft are built, but the National Transportation Safety Board and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) would like to see more participation. On July 14, the NTSB launched a safety study of experimentals and homebuilts — which NTSB officials […]
Teen returns home after flying around perimeter of U.S.
There was a frenzy of excitement at Corona Municipal Airport (AJO) on Aug. 18 as people scanned the sky searching for 17-year-old Taylor De Ley, who had just flown his family’s RV-4 around the perimeter of the U.S. by himself. According to a story in the Press-Enterprise, Taylor said upon landing: “It was an absolute […]
New national commander for CAP
Civil Air Patrol National Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Charles L. “Chuck” Carr Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, was elected national commander last week, while Middle East Region Commander Col. Joseph R. Vazquez of Richmond, Va., was elected national vice commander. Carr’s election to a three-year term as national commander occurred on the first day of business […]
Drone tests… coming to airspace above you?
AOL Defense is reporting the FAA and Pentagon are “carving out between four to 10 “bubbles” in civilian airspace above the United States to test UAS [unmanned aerial systems]”. These bubbles will be located are the U.S. “to show that UAS can fly in heavily-traveled commercial airspace in all conditions across the United States.”
Diamond expands sales and service network
Diamond Aircraft has expanded its U.S. sales and service network with new Diamond Regional Distribution Centers in Northern California and Minnesota. “Kansas City Aviation Center (KCAC), our long time Diamond distributor for the central Midwest states, will be expanding its operations with new bases in Minnesota and northern California,” said Peter Maurer, president of Diamond […]