South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds’ entrée into aviation came with the discovery of a hand-written advertisement while he was in junior high school, according to a story at AOPA.org, which notes that Rounds took his first airplane ride through the CAP, soloed at 16, and earned his private pilot certificate on his 17th birthday. Now, […]
Championship pilot Kirby Chambliss unveils ‘air brush’ contest for schoolchildren
Red Bull Air Race World Championship pilot Kirby Chambliss returned to the Detroit Riverfront April 1 to unveil a contest for local children to put their artistic talent on display. Local middle schools can vie for the chance to decorate one of 20 small plane statues that will line the Riverfront throughout May. Once these […]
TTF efforts bearing fruit; leader deserves praise
For more than 30 years, I’ve tracked residential airparks and encouraged their development and encouraged the aviation community to support them. Most flyin communities are private – owned and private – use but a significant number have been established over the years on property adjacent to public-owned and public-use airports. These residential airparks have provided […]
Tailwheel flight school opens at GIF
Preston Aviation, LLC, a flight school specializing in tailwheel instruction, has returned to Florida. The 17-year-old school has relocated to Winter Haven’s Gilbert Field (GIF), offering tailwheel instruction in its Piper J3 Cub, Stearman, or your plane. CFI Tim Preston has logged more than 11,000 hours, with most — 9,000 — tailwheel. For more information: […]
AvFab gets EASA nod for King Air jump seats
Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) recently received EASA approval for all 100, 200, and 300 (including the 350) series King Air aft jump seat kits. AvFab also has a U.S. STC and Brazil STC for these seats, according to company officials. The jump seat folds down from the side wall of the aircraft in the aft baggage […]
Iowa Aviation Conference prepares for takeoff
The 2010 Iowa Aviation Conference takes off April 21 and 22. This year’s conference offers a full lineup of events, including: Airport board member training that will provide an overview of laws, duties, responsibilities, and tips that will enhance the effectiveness of airport boards and commissions; State aviation office update on aviation programs and current […]
Piper taps Groom as new exec vp
Randy Groom, an experienced aviation professional with more than 36 years of leadership roles in general aviation, is the new executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer support for Piper Aircraft, Inc. Piper President & CEO Kevin Gould said Piper selected Groom, 56, after an extensive search to find just the right fit to […]
Electrical issue leads to gear failure
This April 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: Lancair 320. Injuries: None. Location: Hillsboro, Ore. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight when […]
The Bearhawk Build: Homebuilt project cornerstone of new youth program
Every Thursday evening in the fellowship hall of Evangelistic Center Church in Olathe, Kansas, Joel Beyer and a group of young men get together to build a plane. Dubbed “The Bearhawk Build,” the project is a cornerstorne of EagleFlight Aviation Ministries, an aviation ministry begun by Beyer, a CFI and youth pastor. EagleFlight has three […]