This January 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 172. Location: Clearwater, Fla. Injuries: 3 Fatal. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot was on the return leg of a […]
Keep your skills after your checkride
Congratulations. You did it. You passed your checkride and now you are a private pilot. What’s next? For the first six months or so you’ll try to fly every week or so, but soon you’ll note that boring holes in the sky in pursuit of the $100 hamburger loses its thrill. The next thing you […]
Confirmation of new TSA director delayed
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Errol Southers was nominated last August by President Obama to be director of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but his confirmation has been delayed in the Senate, meaning the agency that deals directly with aviation security has been without a leader for nearly six months. Couple this with the security confusion following […]
New identifier for Florida airport
The FAA has assigned a new three-letter identifier to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International airport now under construction in West Bay, Florida. The three-letter location identifier will be “ECP” when the airport opens in May. The new airport is replacing Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN). Location identifiers are not interchangeable and cannot be […]
NTSB adds to list of ‘reportable’ accidents
The NTSB is amending its regulations concerning notification and reporting requirements regarding aircraft accidents or incidents. The final rule, which becomes effective March 8, adds five “reportable incidents,” which NTSB officials believe will improve aviation safety: Failure of any internal turbine engine component that results in the escape of debris other than out the exhaust […]
Save the Stories Program takes flight
Kissimmee Air Museum, located at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), is launching its new “Save the Stories” program on Jan. 30. Oral history interviewer Tom Mazzoli will be collecting and recording the memories of those who made history in World War II. “Save the Stories” wants to preserve the stories of not only those on […]
Sporty’s offers Weekend Ground School
Even with its complete pilot training courses on DVD and online, Sporty’s still believes in the time-honored tradition of the weekend ground school and is planning a full schedule of courses at its headquarters at Clermont County/Sporty’s Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sporty’s officials said.“Even in 2010, the weekend ground school has tremendous merit,” says Sporty’s […]
Group 3 Aviation opens new student housing
Group 3 Aviation Inc., an FAA- and VA-approved Part 141 flight training facility and Part 135 charter service operating from the Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Southern California, recently opened its new pilot housing. The residential accommodations streamline and simplify lodging for out-of-state and overseas full-time students, according to company officials. The company recently renovated […]
Hobart introduces IronMan MIG Welder
Hobart Welding Products has introduced the IronMan 230, a DC/CV, single-phase, MIG/FCAW welder that delivers a 30- to 250-amp output (60% at 175 amps). The IronMan 230 replaces Hobart’s IronMan 210 and 250, combining their features in a single unit suited for welding mild steel material ranging from 24 gauge to ½-in, according to company […]