Matthew Desch, CEO and director of Iridium Communications Inc., has joined the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s board of trustees. The board members, all pilots, oversee AOPA and make sure it is addressing members’ priorities. “We are delighted to have Matthew Desch continue his service to AOPA as a member of the board of trustees,” […]
Poor inspection leads to gear failure
This February 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 Comanche. Injuries: None. Location: Mineral Wells, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The airplane’s annual inspection was done 18 days before the […]
The fuel of the future: Is it already here?
Ben Visser is an aviation fuels and lubricants expert who spent 33 years with Shell Oil. He has been a private pilot since 1985. I recently received a note from reader Scott Shroyer, who is looking to buy a used Cessna 182 with an auto gas STC. He wants to know if it is worth […]
Sun (and Fun) shine
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. In the world of recreational flying — that portion of aviation that does NOT deal with transportation as a core activity — the Sun ’n Fun air show signals the beginning of the flying season. While aviators in the […]
The history of aviation and the impossible
In a blog post at The Atlantic, Alan Klapmeier, co-founder of Cirrus Aircraft and now the force behind the new Kestrel Aircraft Co., talks about a recent visit he made to the National Air and Space Museum. And while Klapmeier says that anyone who loves aviation would thoroughly enjoy the museum, both on the Mall […]
Site enhancements near completion for Virginia Festival of Flight
After years of packing up truck loads of nylon fencing, fence posts, barrels, signs, tents and more for storage, this year’s Virginia Regional Festival of Flight volunteers will have a huge logistical advantage: On-field storage. Last year The Virginia Aviation Council purchased a 40-foot SeaLand container with funds donated by Aero Industries at Richmond International […]
Salina Airport awarded Medal of Excellence
The staff of the Salina Airport (SLN) was recently awarded the FAA Central Region’s Medal of Excellence. The medal is awarded to airports that have no discrepancies during the FAA airport certification inspection and no vehicle pedestrian deviations during the previous 12 months. “You should be very proud. It’s quite an accomplishment to receive one […]
Expansion underway at Summit Aviation
Construction is well underway on Summit Aviation’s new 78,000-square-foot expansion in Middleton, Del. Summit Aviation, a Greenwich AeroGroup company, broke ground for the new development on June 9, 2010, on its 550-acre site. In January, the Delaware State Fire Marshall certified Summit’s improved fire suppression system in the existing hangars that currently house all the […]
EPIC Aviation and BP finalize sale
The sale of BP Products North America Inc.’s interest in EPIC Aviation to Downstream Aviation has been finalized. BP and Downstream have entered into an agreement that will allow EPIC to continue to operate under the Air BP brand for service to the general aviation sector in the United States and Canada. EPIC, operating as […]