In a blog post titled “The meaning of aviation,” AOPA Editor In Chief Thomas Haines talks about how mean aviation has become. What’s behind that crankiness? He postulates: “As I ponder what brings out the general crankiness of pilots, several things come to mind. The dismal state of the economy, especially as it pertains to […]
Site preparation begins for Sierra Industries hangar addition at UVA
Site preparation has commenced for Sierra Industries’ expansion into its fourth aircraft hangar at Garner Field Airport (UVA) in Uvalde, Texas. Building on a 28-year history of business jet aircraft upgrades, Sierra Industries is adding 18,000 square feet to its facilities. Uvalco Supply Company of Uvalde is the contractor for the expansion, expected to be […]
Terminal opens at GKY
A new terminal has opened at Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY) in Texas, just in time for the 2011 Super Bowl. Construction for the project started April 1, 2010, replacing the original, one-story terminal built in 1982. The new, two-story terminal is roughly 15,500 square feet in size and cost the city roughly $5.2 million. Officials […]
iChart now available on the iPhone
FlightPrep has released an update to its iChart application, making it available on the iPhone. Pilots can now turn their iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch into an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), giving them access to Sectionals, Terminal Area Charts (TACs), Low Enroutes, and Approach Plates – all at their fingertips. Available in the Apple iTunes […]
Tampa Jet Center joins Avfuel network
Tampa International Jet Center at TPA has joined Avfuel’s Avnet network of FBOs. Tampa International Jet Center was opened in 2004 by aviation industry veteran and FBO President Phil Botana. As an Avfuel-branded FBO, Tampa International Jet Center now awards AVTRIP points on qualifying fuel purchases, and honors the Avfuel Contract Fuel program for jet […]
Cutter Aviation named Piper dealer for Southern California
Piper Aircraft Inc. has appointed Cutter Piper Sales, Carlsbad, Calif., as Piper’s dealer for new aircraft sales in Southern California. Cutter Piper Sales is a division of Cutter Aviation headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. “Our experience with Cutter Aviation as our dealer in the southwestern United States has been superb,” said Randy Groom, Piper’s executive vice […]
Tips to make your aircraft safer
Interested in making your aircraft safer? Check out the latest issue of FAA Safety Briefing, which includes the article, “Small Cost, Big Benefit: A Look at Lifesaving Aircraft Safety Enhancements,” by FAA aerospace engineer Della Swartz. The article offers a variety of improvements that can have a positive effect on your safety and well-being without […]
Pilot forgets to disconnect tow bar
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 210. Injuries: None. Location: Albuquerque, N.M. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Shortly after takeoff and following the landing gear retraction, the pilot […]
X-Air: The LSA fun machine
Flying for a great many people is more about recreation than long-distance travel, so why shell out the money for a plane that’s more a flying minivan when what you really want is a motorcycle? That’s the mindset behind the X-Air Light-Sport Aircraft, a tube-and-fabric, high-wing ready-to-fly design made in Bend, Ore. “This is not […]