Slated to be released Sept. 1 is “Squawk 7700,” an aviation autobiography by Peter Buffington, which chronicles his adventure into the world of aviation to achieve a professional airline pilot career. From student pilot at age 15, to flight instructor, to nighttime cargo pilot, and finally to first officer aboard the ATR 42 and ATR […]
Lack of fuel thwarts takeoff
This August 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: Bellanca Cruisemaster. Injuries: None. Location: Keller, Texas. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The private pilot was attempting a takeoff. During the takeoff roll, […]
Swift Fuels: Ready to replace 100LL
One Thursday afternoon in September 2005, Swift Enterprises founder John Rusek was flying home from a business meeting when he turned to his pilot, Jon Zuilkowski, and asked if he was ready to expand his role in the company. Without hesitation, Zuilkowski said he wanted to search for an alternative to avgas. “One of his […]
Sherpa’s ‘coming out’ party
This summer’s AirVenture was a surprising success for Sherpa Aircraft Co., according to Glen Gordon, president. An unexpectedly large turnout of individuals from countries all over the world swarmed Sherpa’s display every day for the seven-day show, checking out the new 840-horse Honeywell turbine-powered Sherpa for the first time. Many of those at the exhibit […]
Pilots saving pets
Pilots N Paws, an online forum that connects animal rescue groups and volunteer pilots, will relocate hundreds of homeless animals the weekend of Sept. 18 from the Gulf Coast to shelters and foster homes in other parts of the country in an effort dubbed The Pilots N Paws Gulf Coast Rescue Flyway. “These animals need […]
Catalina Aero Club takes off
The Catalina Island Conservancy’s pilots support group has become the newly reenergized Catalina Aero Club. The revitalized group was conceived among pilots during last year’s 50th anniversary celebration of general aviation on the island that brought 150 pilots and a crowd of more than 400 to the Airport in the Sky. “There was a new-found […]
Crop dusters keep Iowa’s farms healthy
The saying “pennies from heaven” certainly doesn’t refer to aerial spraying, according to a report at Manufacturing.net, which states that agricultural aviation contributes $214 million to the state’s economy because of increased crop productivity, according to a study released last year by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation. That’s not all: 86% of […]
Rare warbird pulled from reservoir
A Curtiss-Wright SB2C-4 Helldiver, submerged under 90 feet of water for that past 65 years and raised to the surface last week, is headed to Florida where plans are to restore and put it on display at Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum, according to a report at EAA.org.
iFly 700 debuts
Adventure Pilot LLC, has introduced the iFly 700, a satellite GPS portable navigation device for general aviation pilots that offers everything from flight planning to en route navigation. Feature packed with image enhanced hi-resolution sectional maps, highlighted Special Use Airspace, IFR Low En Route charts, Approach and Departure charts and a full Airport Facility Directory […]