This September 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 172. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Three Lakes, Wis. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: As the pilot started the takeoff roll the airplane’s […]
Outsmarting the slur of “designed by committee”
It has been said that a camel is a horse designed by committee. That suggestion disparages neither the horse nor the camel, but it is not particularly kind to the abilities of the committee — and with good reason. A good horse is sleek, fast, powerful, and robust. A camel on the other hand is […]
How government SNAFU detained Kings at gunpoint and in handcuffs
If you find yourself in a situation similar to that of John and Martha King, with police officers pointing guns at you as you exit your aircraft, just follow their instructions. That is the advice of John King after he and his wife, Martha, were held at gunpoint for about a half-hour Aug. 28 when […]
Legislative confusion in Maine over ethanol and Mogas
Readers might have seen Maine’s Morning Sentinel report about the loss of mogas at the Norridgewock, Maine, airport (OWK). There was another airport in Maine that used to have mogas up until a couple of months ago, Sanford Regional (SFM), and the Lakeside Marina Seaplane Base in East Winthrop advertises mogas, but it now has […]
K-State Oshkosh scholarship winners named
Kansas State University Aviation has picked seven winners from a daily scholarship drawing conducted at AirVenture 2010. “K-State’s aviation program offers the most affordable degrees in the country,” said Kurt Barnhart, aviation department head. “This $2,000 scholarship will make a K-State education even more affordable for these seven recipients.” Recipients had to meet the following […]
Prepare for Hurricane Earl
Pilots along the Eastern coast of the U.S. should prepare for Hurricane Earl, a Category 4 storm that experts say has a 25% chance of landfall by the end of this week, according to report at Examiner.com, which notes: “The affect of Earl on general aviation could be significant, especially with what appears to be […]
‘Miracle on the Hudson’ commemorative chart presented to pilots
Jeppesen recently presented “Miracle on the Hudson” pilots Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles with a specially designed approach chart and engraved Jeppesen chart binders to commemorate the ditching of US Airways flight 1549 in the Hudson River in New York in January 2009. Titled “Hudson Miracle APCH,” the one-of-a-kind chart includes several […]
Runway Cafe opens at GMU
The Runway Cafe is now ready for take off at the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) in South Carolina. ‘The cafe officially opens Sept. 1, according to Joe Frasher, airport director. “A short quiet opening has been taking place for the last couple of weeks, just so all systems could be checked,” he added. A variety […]
Protect your medical
As every pilot knows, two licenses are required to fly: A pilot certificate and a medical certificate. Ensuring that medical certification is valid and will be renewed is of paramount concern to all pilots, but the process is much murkier and risk-laden than the straightforward, clearly defined requirements for obtaining pilot certificates, according to officials […]