Stearman pilot Sarah Wilson, who is participating in the American Barnstormers Tour, files this report from the tour’s third stop, Watertown Regional Airport (ATY) in Watertown, S.D., on June 23: If you tie the plane down, the wind will die, if you cover the cockpit it won’t rain, if you are schedule to stop in […]
Commercial aviation tries its wings
The development of commercial air operations in the United States after the armistice that ended the First World War was a period of optimism founded on widespread public curiosity, thousands of newly trained pilots, and easy availability of surplus aircraft. Financing was provided based on the assumption that public interest would force the development of […]
A few words in the first person
One of the great advantages of a blog is the immediacy it offers both the reader and the writer. Unlike a traditional article published in the hard-copy version of a publication, the blog format allows for rapid feedback from readers, in the form of comments and e-mails. In my case, I can tell you with […]
Pistole confirmed as TSA administrator
After 17 months without an administrator and two failed nominations, the Transportation Security Administration finally has a leader. John Pistole was confirmed for the post Friday, June 25, by the full Senate. As administrator of TSA, he also is assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Pistole was deputy director of the FBI, promoted […]
Commemorative Air Force to be in force at Oshkosh
Commemorative Air Force units from throughout the U.S. are lending their support to the EAA AirVenture 2010 “Salute to Veterans” with more than a dozen legendary aircraft that will be part of the air shows and ground displays in the warbird area. The 58th annual AirVenture will be held July 26-Aug. 1 at Wittman Regional […]
Dominican Republic launches ‘Flying Ambassador’ service
The Dominican Republic Civil Aviation Authority (IDAC) has inaugurated its “Flying Ambassador” service for U.S. and Canadian pilots. This free program is available to all pilots interested in flying to the Dominican Republic (DR). A “Flying Ambassador” will assist private pilots plan their trips and provide answers about procedures, customs, fuel availability, documents, etc. Jim […]
Need a laugh?
The comic series “Chicken Wings” hast just launched its new website: ChickenWingsComics.com. “Chicken Wings” is a comic for pilots and aviation enthusiasts centered around a bunch of chickens working in a small aviation company. Chicken Wings was created by brothers Michael and Stefan Strasser. One is a firefighting helicopter pilot, the other a cartoonist, one […]
Integra ELT debuts
Recently introduced is a new generation Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), the Kannad Aviation Integra 406 GPS ELT, which operates on the international 406MHz satellite search and rescue system and includes an internal GPS and 406MHz antenna, plus an internal battery. Benefits of the new ELT include automatic activation in the event of an aircraft ditching […]
Alabama’s float plane haven joins Phillips 66
Alabama’s Guntersville Municipal Airport (8A1) and its expanding seaplane facility is now a Phillips 66 Aviation-branded dealer. 8A1, surrounded by 69,000 acres of water, is famous as a float plane base and its access to the sprawling Guntersville Mountain Lakes region, 30 minutes outside Huntsville, Ala. Few FBOs accommodate float planes, but Guntersville Municipal, also […]