The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has honored six air traffic controllers for their roles in helping general aviation pilots in trouble land safely. The commendations were presented during the Archie League Awards banquet at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association‘s Communicating for Safety conference, March 3. “Air traffic controllers are an invaluable resource in the […]
LASP draws record comments, Congressional ire
The aviation industry flooded the Transportation Security Administration docket for the Large Aircraft Security Program with more than 4,000 comments against the proposal, in what became a record number of comments on a TSA rulemaking. Supporting the industry effort are seven House of Representatives members, including Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), who sent […]
NTSB issues preliminary report on REMOS accident
On January 25th a REMOS GX Aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff during the LSA Expo at Sebring, Florida. There was one fatality and the pilot was injured seriously. Todd Gunther, NTSB Investigator in Charge, has released a Preliminary Report on the accident, in which Gunther reported that he established control continuity to the rudder, elevator […]
US Airways captain honored by Seaplane Pilots Association
US Airways Capt. Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger was recently awarded a lifetime membership in the Seaplane Pilots Association in recognition of his “extraordinary airmanship, seamanship, and decision-making, saving hundreds of lives in his emergency landing of Flight 1549 in the Hudson River on Jan. 15,” according to officials with the association, which is based in Lakeland, […]
Shaking off the gloom
By DAN JOHNSON The darkest hours of 2008 were lightened considerably by the rock-solid start to the year witnessed at the 2009 U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, in January. Record crowds, numerous airplane orders, and the sellout of inventory by some exhibitors helped to shake off the gloom of the rotten economy. That […]
Damaged landing gear leads to wheels-up landing
This March 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 Comanche. Location: Des Moines, Iowa. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was making an approach to landing and attempted […]
Illinois proposes luxury tax on business aircraft
As though negative comments about business aviation from President Obama and Members of Congress weren’t enough, the president’s home state of Illinois has taken up the cry and has proposed a 5% luxury tax on aircraft valued at more than $500,000. NBAA and other aviation groups quickly opposed the legislative proposal in Illinois, stating that […]
White House reminded: Business aviation is essential
During his State of the Union address, President Obama referred scathingly to business aircraft as luxuries and the perks of highly-paid executives, to the annoyance of business aircraft users – most of whom do not fly jets – and the aviation industry. The president’s remarks, which were largely focused on the tools needed to recover […]
With LASP comment period closed, what’s next?
The end of the public comment period on the TSA‘s LASP marks the beginning of a new, equally rigorous chapter in making the industry’s concerns about the proposal known in Washington, said NBAA President Ed Bolen on March 2. “Although the TSA is not required to notify the industry on the progress of its review […]