In a period in American aviation history when the biplane configuration was dominate, there was a slight aberration when the parasol became popular. From the start of the Depression until the mid-1930s, there was a strong spurt of interest that saw about 30 parasol designs certificated for production. With their wings placed above the fuselage, […]
The surprising secret to negotiating a good hangar lease
With the possible exception of that ego-enhanced titan of real estate and self-promotion, Donald Trump, most of us don’t particularly relish the idea of sitting down to hammer out a new contract. We don’t care for the process at the car dealership, we’re skittish in the lawyer’s office where we close on our homes, and […]
Wright ‘B’ Flyer takes flight
Photograph Timothy Gaffney has been busy in San Antonio, documenting the build-up to the March 2 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first military flight at Fort Sam Houston. The Wright “B” Foundation sent two of its airplanes to participate in the celebrations. Wright “B” Flyer No. 001 took flight yesterday and Gaffney caught […]
Firms ask for compensation for lost business during Obama visit
Owners of several aviation firms in Hawaii say they want the federal government to compensate them $200,000 for lost business during President Barack Obama’s two-week holiday visit to Oahu in December, according to a recent AP report. A temporary no-fly zone was in effect over parts of the island while Obama and his family were […]
Congressmen request bonus depreciation extension for aircraft purchases
U.S. Congressmen Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) and Chris Carney (D-Pa.) recently sent a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means requesting an extension of the current accelerated “bonus” depreciation incentive for aircraft purchases through Dec. 31 and placed in service by Dec. 31, 2011. “We have seen in the past how bonus depreciation is […]
Court says info on tail numbers must be made available
A district court judge for Washington, D.C., has ruled that aircraft tail numbers submitted to the FAA for blockage from distribution to sources outside the FAA under the National Business Aviation Association’s Blocked Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program must be made available in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The […]
New name for FAA magazine
Starting with the March/April 2010 issue, FAA Aviation News is changing its name to FAA Safety Briefing. “We’re changing the name to more accurately reflect the magazine’s mission: Safety,” said John Allen, director, FAA Flight Standards Service. “Briefings are used in health care, in the military, and in aviation, and are essential to get crucial […]
CFI renewals over the web
The FAA gave approval Feb. 26 to AVSeminars to offer the nation’s first CFI Renewal through a “live” webinar. The process of renewing a CFI certificate is “virtually” identical to attending a live FIRC, without the travel and hotel costs, company officials said, noting all that’s needed are a PC or Mac, a web-cam and […]
Aviation Weather Manuals go digital
Find-it Fast Books now offers a new choice for pilots and aviation professionals attuned to the digital world of today. A library of electronic books (eBooks) can now be instantly downloaded into laptops, desktops, and handheld devices equipped with .pdf readers. Available eBook titles include Preflight Weather Analysis Made Easy, The METAR & TAF Quick […]