The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton has become home to the only F-22A Raptor on permanent public display. The Raptor was one of nine built for engineering and development testing in 1999. The museum’s restoration team restored the F-22, painting it to represent those flown by the 1st Fighter Wing, based […]
the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“Aviation is never static, always in motion, and in one direction: forward.” — GAN guest columnist Steve Bill Hanshew “A friend said ‘you’ve gotta meet this girl — she’s cute and single and she has a better plane than you.’” — Air show performer Steve Oliver on how he met his wife of 26 years, […]
“Welcome to sunny Florida.”
The fellow who uttered this statement was wearing long pants and so many shirts, sweaters and jackets that he did not appear able to bend his elbows. And rightly so. It was COLD, I tell you, on the last day of the Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., which took place Jan.17-20. On that day […]
WHAT’S NEEDED TO BUILD AN AFFORDABLE AIRPLANE
Let me say right up front that I thank and applaud Cessna for its decision to bring the SkyCatcher to market. But I, too, was a little saddened to hear that Cessna will be building the C-162 SkyCatcher in China (SkyCatcher’s ‘Made in China’ label upsets some pilots, Jan. 11 issue). Not that I have […]
WE CAN’T EXPECT THE FAA TO BE OUR KEEPERS
This letter is a response to your article “Is a computer required equipment to fly?” in the Jan. 11 issue, and Lieutenant Colonel Burdon L. Davidson USAF (ret.), and his inability to locate pertinent information in keeping his aircraft in compliance with the Airworthiness Directives issued by the FAA. As an A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) […]
Become a World War II ace — at least on your Wii
Roll, loop, dodge and shoot like a World War II ace with the new “WWII Aces” game for the Nintendo Wii system. Fly alone or with a friend via split-screen co-op as you join the ranks of the Royal Air Force, Soviet Air Force or Luftwaffe and pilot 12 authentic airplanes, including the Spitfire, Mosquito […]
50 years and counting…
Philip Carrell sold his first airplane 50 years ago. It was a 1947 Stinson 108. Since then he has sold more than 500 airplanes, some for as much as $8 million, to customers as far away as Australia, Brazil and the Czech Republic. Late last month Carrell celebrated his 50th anniversary as a salesman for […]
Politics put FAA’s top spot in limbo
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nowhere is it more evident that politics rules government than what is going on with the inaction on presidential nominees. Robert Sturgell was nominated last October to be FAA administrator, but the Senate hasn’t held even one confirmation hearing. His is one of at least 75 nominations held up in the Senate. […]
Engine exhaust creates unsafe condition for Colt owner
My Piper Colt has a strong odor of engine exhaust in the cockpit. The mechanic says he is sure the muffler is good, and turning off the heater does not change the amount of odor. Looking at the floor board, directly below the seats, I can see a lot of daylight. There’s an upholstery cover […]