This February 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: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: St. Augustine, Fla. Aircraft damage: Minor. What reportedly happened: The student pilot was attempting to depart, but was on […]
User fee decision only a breather
General aviation groups and many members of Congress gleefully commented on President Obama’s decision to not ask for general aviation fees in the 2011 budget, but all agree there is a need to keep their guards up to prevent the charges from being called for again in coming years. The Air Transport Association, which represents […]
TSA scraps controversial security plan
The Transportation Security Administration is backing off a controversial plan to impose tough new security requirements on private planes and small airports, according to a report from NPR. The report notes that in 2008, TSA said that as security on airliners got better, terrorists might see private planes as easier targets. So the agency proposed […]
Skydivers contribute to Haiti relief effort
Skydiving centers are pitching in on the Haiti relief efforts, using skydiving aircraft to transport food and medical supplies to the earthquake-ravaged island. “Jump aircraft are especially well-suited for these missions,” said Ed Scott, executive director of the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA). “Most have large cargo doors and are easily converted to carry cargo. Most […]
Piper begins global expansion
Despite the current economic downturn, investment by the Singapore-based owners of Piper Aircraft, Inc. has enabled the company to move forward on many fronts, from the formation of a new company focused on Asia/Pacific initiatives, to accelerated development of its PiperJet, PiperSport and other products, company officials said at the Singapore Air Show last week. […]
Career advice from the cockpit
Air Force Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, the best-selling author of “Never Fly Solo: Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Relationships and Reach New Heights in Business,” never expected to find a business lesson in the cockpit of an F-16 jet fighter at 20,000 feet and Mach 2. But during 65 combat missions in Iraq and […]
Retooling delays SkyCatcher deliveries
Cessna Aircraft has sent a letter to buyers of its new Skycatcher, saying deliveries of its Light Sport Aircraft will be delayed from six to 10 months, according to a recent story in The Wichita Eagle. The story notes that the production line in Shenyang, China, must be retooled, necessitating the delays. The retooling will […]
FAA to use Mustang sim to study pilot interaction with TAS and XMWX
The FAA has contracted with Frasca International, Inc., to build a Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) for the Cessna Citation Mustang light jet, which will be used as part of a NASA research grant by the Aerospace Human Factors Research Lab (AHFRL) at the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute in Oklahoma City. Research will focus first […]
Pops and Props Gala slated
The Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society will hold the sixth Annual Pops and Props Gala & Silent Auction for the 1940 Air Terminal Museum March 27 at Houston’s original art-deco air terminal at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The event offers guests a chance to enjoy the same glamorous style that characterized the golden age of […]