Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. I recently received a question from reader Bill Blank asking whether there was more BTUs in higher octane fuels and if there was any reason to use a higher octane fuel if a vehicle ran knock free on a […]
Arlington Fly-In kicks off today
The 43rd annual Arlington Fly-In opens today, July 6, and runs through Sunday, July 10, at the Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO) in Washington. The event feature workshops, nearly 140 forums, more than 150 exhibitors, and an air show each afternoon. Coinciding with the Arlington Fly-In this year again is the West Coast Cherokee Fly-In. Karl […]
FLS Microjet completes Phase 1 flight testing
The BD-Micro Technologies (BMT) FLS Microjet completed Phase I flight testing May 5. All performance expectations were either met or exceeded, according to company officials, who say the jet is better known as the “James Bond jet.” For the first time, the BD-5J is available as a complete, ready to assemble, integrated airframe, avionics, and […]
FAA celebrates 75th anniversary of Air Traffic Control
The FAA today marked the 75th anniversary of federal air traffic control. Since its inception with 15 workers operating in just three control centers in 1936, the agency has become a world leader, pioneering safety improvements and developing new technology to speed up flights, save fuel and improve safety, according to officials. “The United States […]
Set a world record, get a leather jacket to prove it
Need just a little more incentive to attempt a world record? From July 6 through Sept. 30, pilots setting a world record through the National Aeronautic Association in a fixed-wing aircraft will be eligible to receive a leather flight jacket inscribed with the NAA Logo and the words “World Record Holder.” Qualifying Records must be […]
Inhofe previews Pilots Bill of Rights
Yesterday on the Senate Floor, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a member of the Senate General Aviation Caucus and CFI with more than 10,000 flight hours, previewed his new Pilots Bill of Rights. The bill, which would protect pilots facing enforcement actions, will be introduced today. You can watch the preview of the bill here
Warbird Adventures adds P-51
Warbird Adventures and Kissimmee Air Museum at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) have acquired a North American P-51D Mustang called Precious Metal, which is now on permanent display at the museum while it is being being prepared to compete in the Reno Air Racing Association’s 2011 National Championship Air Races Sept. 14-18. Before coming to […]
Stratos readies model for wind tunnel tests
Stratos Aircraft is preparing a 1/5th scale model of its 714 jet for wind tunnel tests at the University of Washington in Seattle during Aug. 8-12. The Stratos engineering team has developed an agenda that includes verification of extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) work, company officials said. Using the same wind tunnel that is often […]
Stott wins autorotation contest
Jerry Trimble Helicopters (JTH) of McMinnville, Ore., held its first touchdown autorotation competition at the McMinnville airport on June 26. Twelve pilots competed in the event, with Mark Stott, a JTH flight instructor, taking first place. Adam Goad, also a JTH flight instructor, took a close second with Shannon Glenn of Apex Helicopters taking third. […]