This February 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 TR182. Injuries: None. Location: Amargosa Valley, Nev. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to do a soft-field takeoff from […]
Want to live like Burt Rutan?
Aviation legend Burt Rutan, who last year announced he would retire in April, is moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and now he and his wife, Tonya, have their home, “The Rutan Pyramid,” up for sale in Mojave, California, according to a report at EAA.org, which notes the Rutan Pyramid is only five minutes away (by […]
A lifetime of flying
Deb McFarland is the proud owner of Lester, a 1948 Luscombe 8E, and part of the “Front Porch Gang” at Pickens County Airport in Georgia. Young Bobby Burns was infatuated with flying and airplanes, and on his 13th birthday his parents fed the fire with a 10-minute flight in an Aeronca Champ at San Fernando […]
Florida’s Seaplane Mecca
Drew Steketee was president of BE A PILOT, senior vp-communications for AOPA and executive director of the Partnership for Improved Air Travel. He also headed PR and media relations for Beech, GAMA and the Airport Operators Council International. Things seem to be rolling now for Tavares, Florida, to actually become the “Seaplane City” of its […]
Ethanol in fuel hinders NC firefighter, Kentucky pilot cancels Las Vegas flight
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, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114. As the number of signatures on our petition to […]
House committee passes FAA reauthorization bill
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed an FAA reauthorization bill on Wednesday, which would nearly eliminate subsidized air service for 155 rural communities across the U.S., though some services in Alaska would continue, according to an Associated Press story. Why should GA care? Funds for the essential air service program go to small airports […]
BTV named gateway airport
Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont has been named one of 32 TSA-designated Gateway Airports in the United States, while Heritage Aviation received DCA approval as a charter operator and FBO. These combined approvals mean pilots and passengers can now fly directly to Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Airport from Burlington International Airport. “We’ve been eagerly […]
Blue Angels to perform at Sun ‘n Fun
The United States Navy’s Blue Angels military jet demonstration team will be the featured air show performers at this year’s Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held March 29-April 3 on its campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in Lakeland, Florida. “Sun ’n Fun is honored and excited to host […]
FAA gives nod to new Taylorcraft parts
Aero Fabricators, the manufacturing division of The Wag-Aero Group, now has FAA approvals to manufacture two new Taylocraft parts, including a new right hand Elevator DA420 for the Taylorcraft BC12D aircraft (a direct replacement for OEM P/N D-A420) and Rudder DA410 for the Taylorcraft BC12D aircraft, a direct replacement for OEM P/N D-A410. Both are […]