By THOMAS F. NORTON Jane Hanks, who at 25 was a nurse in Kunming, China, tending to pilots and crews of the Flying Tigers, died Oct. 17 at her home in Oxford, Maryland. She was 93. Emma Jane Foster was one of just two women who joined the 120-member AVG in 1941, at a time […]
First SkyCatcher to be delivered this year
Cessna will deliver the first Model 162 Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft to the first customer of the model later this year. The customer, Rose Pelton, wife of the company’s chairman, president and CEO, will use the LSA to pursue her private pilot’s license. “When I first saw the Skycatcher mockup at Oshkosh in 2007, I […]
Avidyne unveils new autopilot
Avidyne Corp. has unveiled the DFC90, its new attitude-based Digital Flight Control System and Entegra Release 8.0 as an upgrade specifically for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft with Avidyne’s Entegra Flight Deck Systems. The DFC90 adds the precision of an attitude-based flight control system and Avidyne’s safety-enhancing Flight Envelope Protection capability, according to company officials, […]
EZ Flap now available
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty now offers the “EZ Flap” FAA STC-PMA manual flap handle assist device, allowing pilots with the old ”Johnson Bar” flap control to easily reach the flap handle without leaning down in the cockpit or taking their focus off of flying the airplane. The device is FAA approved for Cessna 170-185 aircraft, […]
Echelon STC for Mooneys certified
Lycoming Engines recently received FAA Type and Production certification for its IO-390-A3A6 engine, followed by an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), the second STC earned as part of Lycoming’s Echelon STC program. The IO-390-A3A6 provides more horsepower as well as improved climb and cruise performance, while maintaining the same footprint as the IO-360 engine, according […]
Airbags available for Barons, Bonanzas
AmSafe Seatbelt Airbags are now available for the pilot and co-pilot seats on Baron and Bonanza aircraft. Hawker Beechcraft Corp.’s (HBC) parts and distribution organization, RAPID, is taking orders for the airbags, which can be installed at any AmSafe approved service center. Statistics show that most crash events are survivable, especially when head and neck […]
Flying school to open at Flabob
The flying school at Flabob Airport in Riverside, Calif., will reopen under new management Dec. 1. Dave Rogers of Rogers Aviation will move his established flying school from its long-time site at Chino Airport. Rogers, who has been flying for 54 years, has logged over 21,000 hours. He will bring with him his fleet, including […]
No checklist, no landing gear
This November 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: Salt Lake City, Utah. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was initially inbound for a straight-in landing, […]
A great excuse to call in sick
SHORT FINAL By DEB McFARLAND It’s 5:30 a.m. and I have supper cooked. Soup beans, corn on the cob and cornbread. Directly, I will wake my young sleeping beauty, who has a vacation day from school. She will be shocked that there are towels waiting to be folded, a dishwasher that needs unloading and clothes […]