Mickey Rooney, famous actor known for National Velvet (1944) with Elizabeth Taylor, The Bridges at Toko-Ri (as a Navy fighter pilot) (1954), Black Stallion (1979) and most recently Night at the Museum (2006), is appearing at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s “Hollywood Studs & Starlets” fundraising event on May 7. All proceeds from […]
Poor fuel planning, preoccupation kill pilot
This April 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: Grumman AA-1B. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Chesnee, S.C. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: A witness watched the airplane fly over his house and […]
FAA Administrator to pilots: Don’t get too comfortable
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt doesn’t want pilots to get too comfortable. “When someone sees a new pilot, it sometimes makes you smile because they are so cautious,” he said last Friday during the Meet the FAA forum at Sun ’n Fun. “But I don’t want you get too comfortable — stay cautious.” Babbitt, a long-time […]
King sweepstakes winner unveiled
There was a very happy guy walking around Sun ‘n Fun last week. CFI and airplane owner Randy Mullinax of Texico, Ill., just found out he won King Schools’ 35th Anniversary Sweepstakes. He takes home a prize package that includes an Alaskan seaplane rating and bush flying vacation. Rodney and his wife Jana, a student […]
Fears of Chinese investment ‘irrational’
Top executives at Piper, Cessna and Cirrus are not worried by the increasing number of attempts by China’s AVIC and its many subsidiaries to purchase general aviation companies based on US soil, according to a report by Flight International, which quizzed GA’s movers and shakers at last week’s Sun ’n Fun. The report quotes Piper […]
GA Caucus gains strength
With issues such as FAA funding and the Next Generation Air Traffic System, or NextGen, being discussed in Congress, now is an important time to have informed legislators making decisions. To better understand how general aviation works and its importance to the national economy, legislators are joining the GA caucuses in both houses to educate […]
450 Young Eagles fly during Skycatcher tour
Young Eagles Co-Chairman Jeff Skiles and EAA chapters in four communities opened the world of flight to young people during two weekends in March as more than 450 kids were flown during EAA’s Young Eagles Skycatcher Tour. A highlight of the tour’s stop in Spruce Creek, Fla., was the opportunity for Skiles to fly Michael […]
NAA accepting nominations for Public Benefit Flying Awards
The National Aeronautic Association and the Air Care Alliance are looking for nominations for the 2011 Public Benefit Flying Awards. These awards recognize the contributions of those individuals who fly for the benefit of others, and public benefit flying organizations. Awards include: Distinguished Volunteer Pilot – Awarded to an individual or individuals for outstanding public […]
Diamond unveils spring incentive program
Diamond Aircraft and its North American Diamond Regional Distribution Centers are offering time-limited incentives to buyers of new Diamond aircraft. The incentives, which kicked off at Sun ‘n Fun, provide cash credits for aircraft ordered by April 30. The cash credits start at $15,000 for the HK36 and DA20; to $25,000 for the DA40; to […]