Sandel Avionics will begin flight testing its Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTWAS) Oct. 20 at Corporate Helicopters of San Diego. Designed to enhance rotorcraft safety by complying with the recently issued FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) C194 governing HTAWS, the Sandel HTAWS is a self-contained system developed specifically for helicopter use. Derived from […]
Fuel exhaustion brings pilot up short
The pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel supply, resulting in fuel starvation.
Don’t paint pitot tubes
The FAA has issued an Information for Operators (InFO) warning pilots not to paint pitot tubes. According to the FAA, an InFO “contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.” The latest InFO, dated Aug. 18, informs aircraft operators […]
Tips to reduce spark plug fouling
Q: In my pilot club meeting last month, a pilot complained of spark plug fouling before takeoff in our Grumman Cheetah with 150-hp Lycoming. I suggested that after starting the engine, and before taxiing, she lean the mixture, keep it lean while taxiing and put on full rich for run-up. However, if there is a […]
Plane lands on Massachusetts freeway
The pilot of a Piper Cherokee who made an emergency landing on southbound Interstate 495 near Mansfield, Mass., Sept. 1 had been practicing stalls and could not restart the plane’s engine, a spokesman for the FAA was quoted in a story in The Boston Globe. The story reports: “The Cherokee, piloted by Matthew Kleindienst, 24, […]
Bahamas goes after the GA market
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is targeting the multi-billion general aviation/private plane market, recently rolling out the red carpet to lavishly pamper key aviation executives, according The Bahamas Weekly. A four day/three night familiarization tour of the Bahamas attracted pilots, and representatives from aviation clubs, associations, schools, FBOs and the Aircraft Owners and […]
Go ahead and pull that chute
London Aviation Underwriters now waives the entire deductible for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 pilots who deploy the parachute to save their lives. According to a story by Alton K. Marsh at AOPA.org, the insurance company commonly waives deductibles if an aircraft is destroyed. The story notes: “The offer simply formalizes that situation.”
Vintage DER application checklist available
A new checklist created by the EAA and the FAA will help with the application process for those interested in being apopinted a Vintage Designated Engineering Representative (VDER). The VDER designation, announced at AirVenture this year, will allow individuals with demonstrated expertise of an entire vintage airplane the “holistic” authority to approve engineering data on […]
Time to end TFRs
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: I totally agree that it is time to end TFRs. It is time general aviation and its airports are removed from the ridiculous so-called security rules that have been imposed. Also, there is no need for any more restrictions placed on GA aircraft and passengers departing and entering the USA than […]