American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum hosts a “Celebration of 100 Years of Black Aviation” with special presentations by Donald Elder, an original member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, and C. B. Rice, a historian and author. The Jan. 29 event at the Dallas-area museum is a kick-off for Black History Month in February. There […]
Rare flight for A-26 at Lyon Air Museum
The Douglas A-26 Invader “Feeding Frenzy” attack bomber aircraft, a highlight of Lyon Air Museum’s collection, will rumble out of the museum’s hangar at John Wayne Airport in Southern California, roar down the runway and take to the air at noon on “A-26 Day,” Sat., Feb. 12, weather permitting. “A-26 Day” is part of Lyon […]
VFR flight into IMC kills one
This January 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: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 Serious. Location: Indiana, Pa. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 113-hour pilot called the airport earlier in […]
The art of formation flying
“How hard can it be?” You’ve probably heard this remark, or a variation of it, when hangar flying conversations turn to the topic of formation flying. FAR 91.111 states that no person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard, and no person may operate an aircraft in […]
FAA Reauthorization top priority for new Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reauthorization of the FAA is one of the main concerns for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives, according to its new chairman, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.). The FAA has been operating on a series of short-term extensions since 2007. The last full authorization for the agency was passed […]
Sebring’s over… but next: Florida LSA Tour
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Every now and then the marketing geniuses in Light-Sport aviation have an exceptionally good idea. Here’s one of them: Initially organized by SportairUSA’s Bill Canino and now-American Legend marketer Dave Graham (formerly of Gobosh), a flock of planes, including […]
Windward Aviation to host Bonanza Society Service Clinic
Windward Aviation, a general aviation maintenance and repair facility located at Florida’s Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), has been selected, again, to host the 13th American Bonanza Society (ABS) Service Clinic, slated for Feb. 17-20. “We had approximately 30 aircraft reviewed at our clinic last year,” said Jim Leach, co-owner of Windward, “and expect […]
Upgraded Zodiac kit meets 51% rule
The FAA Kansas City Manufacturing Inspection Office, which recently evaluated the Zenith Aircraft Co.’s Zodiac CH601 XL aircraft kit changes, specifically the 6-ZU Upgrade Package, has notified the company that they have found no significant change compared to the original Amateur Built Fabrication and Assembly Checklist, and meets the major portion requirements (“51% rule”). Zenith […]
Aeronca Fly-In set for Flabob
The Aeronca Aviators Club will stage its annual Southwest Fly-In at Flabob Airport May 20-22. The group is expecting to attract Aeronca and other antique owners from Southern California, Nevada and Arizona. “We’re not sure how many will come in, but there are a lot of Aeroncas in this part of the world,” said organizer […]