Illinois businessman Jim Bult did what every governor has found humanly impossible. He built an airport — in the same area targeted by Illinois Department of Transportation officials for decades as the spot for the next major metropolitan airport in the Chicago area, according to a recent report at SouthTownStar.com. “I’ve been waiting and waiting […]
Repo Man
A recent report in the New York Times chronicles the booming business of Ken Hill, who repossesses airplanes for a living. The downturn in the economy has him repossessing a record number of airplanes – 27 on his last trip alone. Read the story at: NYTimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14repo.html?ref=business
Construction begins on new hangar at VQQ
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority has begun construction on a new 21,000-square-foot aircraft hangar at Cecil Field (VQQ) to meet the aviation needs of Northeast Florida. The $2 million spec hangar is the first new hangar built by the JAA since it took ownership of Cecil Field from the Navy in 1999. Completion is expected in […]
SAFE honors Sparky Imeson’s legacy
As the aviation community mourns the loss of renowned mountain flying instructor Sparky Imeson, the Society of Aviation & Flight Educators (SAFE) has honored Imeson’s legacy by bestowing on him the designation of SAFE’s first official member, number 001. Imeson advocated for a member-centric flight instructor organization, including member elections of the board of directors. […]
Recession? Air shows expect record attendance
With each day delivering more news of economic despair, the air show industry begins its 2009 season this month under a sky of optimism, with all indicators pointing to an attendance surge as families search for low-cost, high-value, local entertainment, according to John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. Initial reports on […]
ATA urges aviation infrastructure priority
Air Transport Association Chairman Glenn Tilton, speaking Mar. 27 at the Phoenix Aviation Symposium, stressed the critical role of air transportation in economic development across the nation. “We are asking that the administration take the lead, working with Congress, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, to partner with us to develop what […]
Was that PC-12 legal with 14 aboard? Maybe.
The Pilatus PC-12 that crashed at Butte, Mont., was configured with only 10 seats but, under FAR Part 91, it might have been legal to carry the seven adults and seven children aboard the turboprop single, aviation attorney Randy Davis told Aviation International News, March 27. All 14 died when the airplane crashed on its […]
Hawker 900XP sim gets FAA nod
FlightSafety International’s new Hawker 900XP full flight simulator, equipped with the company’s new SimIO and SimPWR technology, has received Level D qualification from the FAA. The simulator is located at FlightSafety’s Learning Center in Houston. For more information: FlightSafety.com.
Babbitt welcomed by AOPA, NATA
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and National Air Transport Association both issued statements on March 27 welcoming the Obama administration announcement that Randy Babbitt is the president’s choice to head the Federal Aviation Administration. “AOPA welcomes the announcement of Randy Babbitt,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “I have known Randy Babbitt for more than […]