This April 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: Cessna 150. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Columbia, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The flight instructor reported that the student pilot had recently […]
Presenting a whole new perspective
While dodging raindrops and chatting amiably on Sun ‘n Fun Radio with the three highly animated hosts of the Uncontrolled Airspace podcast, the question came up: “What interested you most during Sun ‘n Fun this year?” To be honest, those may not have been the actual words spoken. The fact that a river of air-cooled […]
‘It was a bloodbath’: LSA industry begins to rebound from a dismal 2009
There’s no doubt last year was a tough one for all parts of the GA industry, including its newest segment, Light Sport Aircraft. “It was a bloodbath out there,” said Dan Johnson, an LSA guru and president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA). “It was extremely slow, not only 2009, but in 2010 — […]
One fight won, others begin
Over the past year, AOPA President Craig Fuller has been busy traveling the country talking to pilots and spreading the good news about aviation, as well as urging pilots to “get engage” to help GA thrive. “I logged over 350 hours last year,” he told a crowd at Thursday evening’s AOPA Town Hall meeting at […]
Flyvie records historic cross-country flight
“Hope One” and Michael Combs took off last week for 40 flight days across 50 states as part of the Flight for the Human Spirit. On board Combs’ Remos LSA is the Flyvie Pro Recorder, which records the flight with two video cameras, audio and GPS, all to a personal SD memory card. The Flyvie […]
Silver Wings Fraternity promotes aviation
Did you solo 25 — or more — years ago? If so, you might want to check out the Silver Wings Fraternity. Started in 1958, the fraternity requires a pilot to be 25 years past first solo. Dues are just $25 per year at the national level. Walter Baker, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, was elected […]
Four states, one destination
One of the best parts of Sun ‘n Fun is meeting up with friends. The Sunday Morning Breakfast Group from the midwest met in front of the FAA building every day at 1p.m. “And then we go on our separate ways,” said Carol McCabe from Chicago. “We come from a four-state area and once a […]
Off-airport landing blamed on fuel contamination
This April 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: Cessna 152. Injuries: 1 Minor. Location: Okeechobee, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot departed on a cross-country flight with the intention […]
A GA pilot who happens to be FAA Administrator
Flying is serious business. That was one of the messages from FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt during his visit to Sun ‘n Fun this year. Introduced as “a GA pilot who happens to be FAA administrator,” Babbitt is the first GA pilot to be FAA administrator. He grew up in Florida, working as a CFI until […]