This October 2008 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 175. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Mt. Dora, N.M. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot had over 5,000 hours of total […]
A puzzling compression problem
Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming. Q: My engine, which now has 300 hours on it, is an O-290-D2B which had a new-limits field overhaul. It has settled-in as a nice smooth-running, economical and reliable powerplant with plenty of power. It gets about 7-8 hours per qt. (Aeroshell […]
Sikorsky invests in Eclipse
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. have inked an agreement for Sikorsky to make an investment in Eclipse, which provides engineering, service, and support for the fleet of 260 Eclipse 500 twin-engine jets. “This agreement in principle affords us an opportunity to invest in a great product and to further leverage our strong aftermarket […]
Boaters unite to oppose ethanol; where are aviation’s leaders?
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 word of the EPA’s approval last week of E15 spreads across America, those who […]
PiperJet makeover unveiled
The new iteration of the PiperJet was unveiled this week at the National Business Aviation Association’s convention in Atlanta. The very light jet now has a much larger round fuselage design, as well as a new name: PiperJet Altaire. “While the earlier PiperJet design, with its Piper M-class cabin cross section, provided a comfortable environment, […]
Governor signs short-term relief for California flight training into law
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 856 (SB 856) into law Oct. 19. SB 856 is a budget trailer bill to the California budget and contains language providing a delay in compliance for flight training facilities with the regulations issued by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Now that flight training has received […]
International Day of the Air Traffic Controller
Members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association are joining their colleagues around the world today in celebrating the “International Day of the Air Traffic Controller.” Oct. 20 also marks the start of the 50th anniversary of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA). From its founding on Oct. 20, 1961, IFATCA has […]
AirGlades Airport receives final slot in FAA privatization program
The FAA has officially accepted the preliminary application for Florida’s AirGlades Airport (2IS) to participate in the Airport Privatization Pilot Program. Hendry County submitted its preliminary application Aug. 31. A Hendry County delegation visited FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, where they received formal notification of FAA’s acceptance of the preliminary application. Hendry County […]
Old Rhinebeck ends season on a high note
On Sunday, Oct. 17, more than 500 visitors attended the final air show of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s 51st season. Sixty people had the unforgettable experience of flying in the Aerodrome’s 1929 New Standard bi-plane over the exquisite fall foliage that now carpets the Hudson River Valley. “One of the most impressive collections of antique airplanes […]