Nine CFIs were accredited in June as Master Instructors by Master Instructors LLC. The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA and industry that is earned by a candidate through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. Much like a flight instructor’s certificate, it must be renewed biennially. […]
New book reveals secret life of Howard Hughes
Douglas Wellman’s new book “Boxes: The Secret Life of Howard Hughes” has been released and is available at major online book retailers. The book tells the tale of Hughe’s secret life under the assumed identity of Verner “Nik” Nicely, from the point of view of his wife, Eva McLelland. Her discovery that her eccentric Midwestern […]
New insurance option for repair stations
The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) and Polaris Enterprise Group have unveiled a new insurance option for the aviation maintenance industry. Aviation Alliance Insurance Risk Retention Group, Inc. (AAIRRG), which ARSA and Polaris have been working jointly to establish, has received its insurance license (known as a certificate of authority) from the state of Montana. […]
Low-altitude stall proves fatal
This July 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: Talon XP. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Cleveland, Ga. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot had logged 225 total hours of flight experience, […]
The Barnstormers Tour finale
Stearman pilot Sarah Wilson, who is participating in the American Barnstormers Tour, files this report from the tour’s last stop at Chandler Field Airport (AXN) in Alexandria, Minn.: The wind followed us to Alexandria, but the lakes and the lush green countryside more than made up for it. Wind was such a big part of […]
JFK Jr.: 10 Years After the Crash
Book Review By DREW STEKETEE © 2010 All Rights Reserved Seeing “10 Mistakes JFK, Jr. Made” in a pilot magazine, I wanted to read this “pilot’s perspective” on the infamous July 1999 crash. The book, “JFK, Jr. — 10 Years After the Crash, A Pilot’s Perspective,” is the result of 10 years of research by […]
Yes, we can reach out and make a difference
A question I recently found in my e-mail inbox intrigues me. “So how do we, as aviators, get the general population to engage?” Steve, from Midway, Georgia, poses this query. And in doing so he puts his finger on what is arguably the greatest challenge to pilots and aviation enthusiasts in the political arena. Because […]
An upclose look at G100UL
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President and CEO Craig Fuller and senior members of the association’s government affairs staff traveled to Ada, Okla., on July 7, for a demonstration of one of the possible solutions in the search for an unleaded aviation gasoline. Joining them at General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI) was Cessna Aircraft Co. […]
GA helps disperse Gulf oil spill
A King Air circles the Gulf of Mexico, directing Air Tractors towards oil slicks. Once at a slick, the Air Tractors spray Corexit, a chemical dispersant. The unlikely team of King Airs and Air Tractors is the newest “critical tool” for cleaning up major oil spills, according to a report on the National Business Aviation […]