West Star Aviation, Inc. is expanding its aircraft maintenance services into the Southeast. West Star Aviation, at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina, will be focused on airframe, engine and avionics services for business aircraft, beginning in the first quarter of 2010. Initially, West Star Aviation will offer services for turbine aircraft below […]
Distraction leads to gear up landing
This December 2007 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 Navajo. Location: Muscle Shoals, Ala. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was on an instrument approach. He crossed the […]
Beware the “sound bite” solution
GUEST EDITORIAL By MICHAEL KRAFT, senior vice president and general manager, Lycoming Engines I commend Janice Wood for taking on the avgas issue (“Preparing for the end of 100LL”) and reporting objectively the comments made at this year’s AOPA Aviation Summit in Tampa. The past and present story of 100LL has technical, political, economic and historical […]
Questions erupt for Remos; new investment heralded
SPLOG By DAN JOHNSON After announcing the selection of the Remos GX as the 2010 giveaway airplane, AOPA leaders are surely breathing a sigh of relief now that Remos has issued a reassuring statement. Earlier rumors threatened to cast doubt on those who participated in the sweepstakes announcement (including yours truly). Along with others in […]
ASTM gives Swift nod as test fuel
An unleaded aviation fuel developed by Swift Enterprises Ltd. has been approved as a test fuel by ASTM International, one of the world’s largest voluntary standards development organizations. Swift Enterprises, based at the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, uses biomass and other renewable feedstocks to make 100SF. The fuel is designed to be a […]
Summit simulcast online
The final monthly luncheon of the Wichita Aero Club on Dec. 15 will feature a summit of the senior executives of Wichita’s airframe manufacturers simulcast over the Internet. The video simulcast will begin at approximately noon and will be available free of charge. “We’re extremely pleased to host this unique event,” noted Dave Franson, Wichita […]
Pennsylvania airports share $10 million
Nine Pennsylvania airports will share a $10 million state investment from PennDOT’s Aviation Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program, according to Gov. Edward Rendell. “By making smart state investments in aviation, we can help ensure that the commonwealth’s airports are running safely and efficiently,” Rendell said. “This investment will not only allow these airports to make necessary […]
WAI unveils Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees
Women in Aviation, International has unveiled the 2010 inductees in the Pioneers Hall of Fame: Trish Beckman, who retired from the United States Navy after 28 years. She is the first woman to qualify as a crewmember in the F-15E program and the first American woman to qualify as a crewmember in the F.A-18D; Vice […]
The reason we fly is what is important
LETTER TO THE EDITOR I am responding to Charles Spence’s request for comments about a name for GA that describes how we use our airplanes without separating the reasons for flight (Is there a better name than general aviation?). At first glance this request sounds like an oxymoron — a self-contradictory idea. On closer examination, […]