The pilot’s improper use of flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the accident was the overloading of the airplane.
Proposed Hudson River changes might be used in other places
Pending changes in flight operations in the Hudson River airspace — where a collision between an airplane and a helicopter took place last month — might have national applications, according to the FAA’s senior vice president for operations, air traffic organization. Testifying to a Senate committee, Rick Day said the agency will analyze the effectiveness […]
Meg flies a Mustang
When someone offers you the chance to fly in a P-51 Mustang, you do not pass it up. I recently flew “Betty Jane,” a rare two-place P-51 that is making its way around the country on the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour. The foundation also has its B-17, “Nine-oh-Nine,” and the B-24 “Witchcraft” making […]
Flight & Flyers: Luckey flyer
William Luckey, a test pilot and exhibition aviator for the Curtiss Company, came to aviation late in life. Best known as the winner of The New York Times race around Manhattan Island on Oct. 13, 1913, Luckey was nearing 50 when he took an interest in aviation in 1912. Just a year later, he won […]
A full plate for Congress
Back at work after spending August hearing from constituents in so-called town hall meetings, Congress returned to Washington to find it has much to do. Health care issues, with several bills — each more than 1,000 pages long — will hold the primary focus. However, other issues need action. As of the day after Labor […]
Former Eclipse COO lands at BBA Aviation
BBA Aviation has appointed Peg Billson president, BBA Aviation Legacy Support. In her new role, Billson assumes overall leadership responsibility for Ontic and International Governor Service and the continued development and growth of the Legacy Support group. She will also serve on the BBA Aviation Executive Committee. Billson has a BS in aeronautical engineering from […]
An aviation education
A story in the Shelby County Reporter in Columbiana, Alabama, details a recent visit to the Shelby County Airport by several Birmingham Southern College student. The students were brought to the airport by two professors — one teaches theater, while the other teaches courses in music. Both professors are private pilots. The story quotes Matthew […]
40th anniversary of Citation’s first flight
Cessna Aircraft Co. is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the maiden flight of the Citation, the first airplane model in what has become the largest fleet of business jets in the world. On Sept. 15, 1969, pilot-in-command Milt Sills and co-pilot J.L. LeSueur flew the first prototype of the Cessna Citation from Wichita’s Municipal Airport […]
AOPA adds two to board
The Board of Trustees for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) elected two new members to the board Sept. 11: AOPA President and CEO Craig L. Fuller, and James G. “Jay” Tuthill III, chairman and CEO of the Tuthill Corp. “In the eight months since Craig took the controls at AOPA, he has urged […]