This January 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: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Rockford, Ill. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Prior to departure on a cross-country flight, the pilot obtained weather […]
Building a bigger tent
GUEST EDITORIAL By HAL SHEVERS, founder of Sporty’s Pilot Shop in Batavia, Ohio “I want to get a private license.” Over my 50-plus years of teaching pilots I have heard that statement countless times. After talking to the prospective pilots a short time, you realize what they really have on their minds is to be […]
Avgas in 2011 — Logic will prevail
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer and aviation journalist. As an engineer and a pilot, I believe that logic, combined with the amazing ability […]
PiperSport dealers form association
The 13 PiperSport dealers in the United States have formed the U.S. SportCruiser Dealers Association, using the previous name of the Rotax-powered aircraft before Czech Sport Aircraft and Piper Aircraft joined forces in January 2010, Tom Ellery of San Diego Sport Flyers says in a report at AOPA.org. Piper announced Jan. 12 that it was […]
Bob Hoover’s aileron up for auction
If you collect aviation memorabilia, this is your opportunity to bid on a rare aileron that came off of celebrated aviator Bob Hoover’s P-51 “Ol Yeller.” This aileron flew every air show, air race and flight that Hoover and “Ol Yeller” flew from 1971 to 1980. Hoover is one of the most respected and decorated […]
S.C. panel urges aircraft tax reduction
A report by the South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission, released Dec. 7, said that “property taxes on private passenger airplanes are amongst the highest in the nation,” and recommended that lawmakers “consider lowering the Assessment Ratio on private passenger aircraft,” according to a post at AOPA.org.
Sun ‘n Fun Radio offers sponsorship opportunities
Hard to believe as snow continues to grip most of the nation, but Sun ‘n Fun, the Lakeland, Florida, show considered the kick off to the air show season, is just a few months away, scheduled from March 29-April 3. For the first time, Sun ‘n Fun Radio is offering underwriting sponsorship announcements. The non-commercial […]
Embry-Riddle helps Chinese grow aviation
The “commencement” certificates awarded last month to 26 Chinese aviation officials at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University mark more than the two-week training program they had just completed at the university’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus. They are emblems of a growing multi-year relationship between Embry-Riddle and the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which represents an industry that […]
Lyon Air Museum to host ‘Cars & Cockpits’
Lyon Air Museum, a Santa Ana, California, showcase for vintage military aircraft and automobiles, is scheduled to host dozens of rare and luxury high performance sports cars as part of “Cars & Cockpits,” Sunday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, located at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The vehicles — […]