The circus-like paint scheme of this Kitfox IV provides a backdrop for a family portrait of the McGrath men. Ron (far left) is a pilot and was at the Copperstate Fly-In with his son, Mike, and grandson Ryan, 3-1/2. “We wanted to bring him to his first air show,” Mike explained as Ryan, noticing the […]
Ups and downs
When you sell airplanes for a living, life has its ups and downs…literally. Like many of the other air shows — and many other sales people — Gobosh salesman Tony Settember gave demonstration rides all day long during the Copperstate Fly-In held earlier this fall in Arizona. The high-wing LSA, which made its debut at […]
Don’t like an FAA regulation? Now is the time to speak up
WASHINGTON, D.C. — If there is something about FAA regulations that you don’t like, now is the time to make your opinions heard. The FAA is asking for comments from the public “”to identify those regulations currently in effect that we should amend, remove or simplify.”” This action is the third round of regulatory review […]
How do I install an oil cooler on my homebuilt?
I have an O-235 Lycoming engine. The assembly case has not been drilled to accept an oil cooler. I called Lycoming Tech Service, but got no help. What needs to be done seems pretty clear, but I would like some technical advice. This engine is going on a homebuilt. GREY BIGGS via email I’ll apologize […]
Oregon legislature compromises GA safety with new ethanol law
I believe it was Mark Twain who once said that nothing is safe when the legislature is in session. I believe it was Mark Twain who once said that nothing is safe when the legislature is in session. Well, the state of Oregon just passed House Bill 2210, which requires that once ethanol production in […]
Missing dip stick leads to fatal crash of Navajo
The pilot’s failure to preflight the airplane, the pilot’s improper in-flight decision not to expedite the landing, and the inadvertent stall when the pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low. Factors contributing to the accident were the lineman’s improper servicing of the airplane when he left the oil dipstick out and the subsequent oil leak.
California cities fight over new FBO lease
A plan to have a private company take over the fixed base operation at Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) in Livermore, Calif., has hit a snag. Officials from the neighboring city of Pleasanton are considering suing, say that their counterparts in Livermore should have conducted an environmental assessment prior to awarding the lease to Livermore Air […]
Disgruntled neighbor or dangerous pilots?
In the past, when people living near an airport had an issue with airplanes flying over their homes, they complained to the airport manager or wrote letters to the local newspaper. Today they create websites. That’s what David Wells of Tracy, Calif., did. The website went up after he sent a commentary to the local […]
Enola Gay pilot dies
Paul Tibbets, pilot of the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb, died Nov. 1 at the age of 92 at his home in Columbus, Ohio. He had been in failing health in recent months. Paul Warfield Tibbets was born on Feb. 23, 1915, at Quincy, Illinois. He planned to have a career in medicine, […]