This June 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 Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Elberton, Ga. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The student pilot was at the end of a solo cross-country […]
FAA programs extended for one month
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 18th extension for FAA funding of programs expired at midnight Tuesday, May 31, but a committee aide told General Aviation News the programs were extended for one more month. This is the 19th extension. Being just one month in duration might signal both Houses of the Congress are close to agreements […]
Spreading the word
Believe it or not, it’s not easy being an enthusiastic fan of all things aviation. In fact, it can be a challenging job. As with any complex issue, there are disparate factions, consistent dissenters, ne’er-do-wells, and outright bad actors wandering around out there, mixed in with the sincere, the noble, the well-intentioned, and the professionals. […]
Surprise twist in ongoing avgas debate
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114. In a surprise twist in the ongoing debate over a replacement to leaded avgas, the FOE announced on Thursday, […]
How important is FAA oversight of LSA?
Weight shift instructor and FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) Terri Sipantzi wrote an excellent editorial about the FAA’s plan to start inspecting new SLSA or new companies producing LSA. Terri’s piece was well written and accurate. He quoted me, but I find it surprising to be the only one publicly talking about this matter even […]
California Fuel Club debuts
A group of San Francisco Bay Area pilots based at Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) have joined together to form the first non-profit fuel club in California that will bring 92 octane unleaded ethanol-free fuel to Bay Area pilots as an alternative to 100LL. California’s 10% ethanol mandate for auto fuel dried up all sources of FAA […]
New CEO at Cessna
Scott Ernest, the new CEO at Cessna Aircraft Co., brings with him to Wichita nearly 30 years of experience working for GE Aviation. According to a blog at the Wichita Business Journal, “while some may be somewhat surprised that Textron brought in an outsider to replace Jack Pelton, Ernest’s hiring will keep an aviation mind […]
GA Appreciation Month in Mississippi
The Mississippi House of Representatives’ recently declared May “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” General aviation in Mississippi alone generates about $860 million in economic impact annually, supporting over 1,563 jobs. “We commend the Mississippi House of Representatives for recognizing the vital economic impact general aviation has across Mississippi,” Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for […]
Amanda Franklin dies
Airshow performer Amanda Franklin died late May 27. According to a story at AOPA.org, doctors at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio had been treating her extensive burns, injuries, and ensuing infections since a March 12 crash landing and engine fire during a show routine. Read the full report here.