IMCClubs.org is honoring the legacy of renowned flight instructor Joseph Benkert by bestowing upon him the designation of the IMC Club’s first official Gold Charter Number, number 001, and initiating a petition to rename Massachusett’s Norwood Airport to the “Joseph W. Benkert Memorial Airport.” Benkert passed away unexpectedly March 10. A former pilot for TWA […]
B-25s to gather at Doolittle reunion
One of the largest gatherings of B-25 Mitchell bombers since World War II is set to take place as part of a tribute to the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders during their 68th reunion at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, April 16-18. At least 20 B-25s from across the nation are scheduled to land […]
Purdue University to install GA-FDM Flight Data Monitoring in its fleet
Purdue University’s Department of Aviation Technology is factory-equipping its fleet of new Cirrus training aircraft with GA-FDM’s predictive Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) and recording systems. The GA-FDM system, already used by corporate and air taxi firms, is modeled on the FAA’s Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program that has been so successful at the airlines […]
New prop STC’d for Pilatus PC12
MT-Propeller has received an FAA STC for its 5-blade scimitar composite propeller on the Pilatus PC12. The propeller improves overall performance in a variety of ways, according to company officials, including: Ground roll distance reduced by approximately 15%; Takeoff distance over 50 ft obstacle reduced by approximately 5%; Cruise performance improved by up to 5 […]
Aircraft Spruce goes solar
Aircraft Spruce has installed solar panels at its Corona, Calif., and Peachtree City, Ga., locations. “Installing PV systems made good sense to us because Aircraft Spruce has always strived to be environmentally responsible,” said Jim Irwin, president, “but the financial benefits of operating highly efficient systems are a definite bonus.” The company was able to […]
Cessna Citation CJ4 gains Type Certification
Cessna Aircraft Co.’s Citation CJ4 has gained type certification by the FAA. Deliveries are set to begin later this year. The Citation CJ4 is the newest and largest member of the CJ family of business jets consisting of the Citation CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3. The CJ4 is approved for single-pilot operations and shares a common […]
Bounced landing bends airplane
This March 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: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 Injuries: None. Location: Tucson, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: Upon arrival at the destination airport, the pilot listed to […]
Lean and powerful
I thought retirement would be different. I envisioned lunch dates on sunny days at small cafes. I could see the Old Man and I snuggled together on the couch on rainy or cold days, reading or just talking while sipping hot tea or coffee. I imagined romantic interludes. Not. If there were any interludes in […]
Book review creates flood of memories
Every now and then I get a call from the office and the conversation usually goes something like this: Ben: Hi dad, what’s going on? Me: Nothing much just watching the Olympics or working on some Rotary stuff but nothing critical … what have you got in mind? Ben: How about coming into the office. […]