Miller Electric Mfg. Co. introduces the Digital Camo design to its line of Digital Elite Series helmets. This new military inspired camouflage design offers a unique graphic that appeals to a wide range of welders, from supporters of the armed forces to outdoor enthusiasts, according to company officials. The Digital Camo helmet is available through […]
Cessna caught in mountain wave
This September 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 Cardinal. Injuries: 1 Serious, 3 Minor. Location: Truckee, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot took off from the mountain airport […]
Persistence pays off
Like so many GA airports, mine faced a problem that was brought into sharp focus by the recent capture in Santa Barbara of those two wily desperados, John and Martha King. If nothing else the incident made it clear that emergency response workers (including police, fire and EMT crews) do not necessarily have a clear […]
Racing for the rest of us
The Sport Air Racing League will hold the second annual Tennessee Valley Air Race and Pumpkin Speed Dash Oct. 30, at Courtland Airport (9A4) in Alabama. The event is open to all licensed pilots of experimental and certified factory-built aircraft according to league classes. Curious spectators are also invited to fly or drive in to […]
Landing on water…with wheels down
Landing on water with your wheels down is a confirmed aviation no-no. Land planes that try it often get flipped over and upside down, when escaping the cabin becomes a real concern. Every seaplane pilot I know has a mantra he or she repeats, “I’m landing on water so the wheels must be up.” Most […]
Transportation Safety Board overrules staff to put VFR flight as cause of mid-air over Hudson River
After a five hour public meeting to discuss the mid-air collision between a Piper and a helicopter over the Hudson River, the National Transportation Safety Board overruled the recommendations of its staff and cited “inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept” and inattention of an air traffic controller as the probable cause of the accident, which […]
No one would win in Cessna strike
Wichita does not need a machinists union strike, according to an editorial in The Wichita Eagle, which notes a strike will only hurt Cessna Aircraft and its work force and further ground down the local economy. The editorial notes: “With union leaders recommending that the members vote Saturday to reject the company’s offer and strike […]
Recognizing the value of recreational aviation
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a resolution recognizing the value of recreational aviation and backcountry airstrips on America’s public lands. Resolution 1473 acknowledges the many benefits that backcountry airstrips provide to the general public, including search and rescue, fire management, disaster relief and safe havens for pilots in emergency situations. Recreational airstrips also […]
More than 1 million pilots and mechanics needed over next 20 years
The aviation industry will require 466,650 pilots and 596,500 maintenance personnel over the next 20 years to accommodate the strong demand for new and replacement aircraft, according to a forecast from Boeing. The assessment found that airlines will need an average of 23,300 new pilots and 30,000 new maintenance personnel per year from 2010 to […]