The Southwest Regional Fly In (SWRFI) recently won a long-term lease on the old U.S. Air Force hangar at Hondo Airport (HDO) in Texas. SWRFI now has use of the huge hangar, which measures 120 feet by 110 feet, for exhibitors as well as classrooms and forums, for years to come, according to organizers. The […]
Seawind begins certified production
After years of delays, the Seawind has been granted approval by Transport Canada to manufacture the first five customer aircraft, as well as two flight test articles. Flight testing for VFR certification of the amphibian is nearing completion, according to Richard Silva, president. Following VFR certification, the Seawind is scheduled to continue with IFR certification […]
User fees: it’s time to get into this fight
If you don’t think user fees are the most serious among current threats to general aviation, listen to Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo). His wry comment was that the plan would give us the “safer skies” the airlines keep talking about, but only “because it would rid the skies of general aviation aircraft.” I agree. Graves […]
YOU DON’T WANT TO FLY FOR THE AIRLINES?
Nice article by Meg Godlewski in the Feb. 2 issue titled “What’s your motivation?” I was a 20-year Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk pilot and I loved every minute of it, including Vietnam. When I retired in 1990, I went looking for a second career. Every time I found a flying opportunity, I saw it as […]
DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF PAUL REVERE’S HORSE?
Re: Tom Norton’s article on Charles L. Lawrance, (Paul Revere’s horse: Charlie Lawrance and his engine that changed aviation, Jan. 19 issue), the name of Paul Revere’s horse was Brown Beauty. I know this because I was once asked in my capacity as executive director of the Lexington, Mass., Historical Society. A gentleman from New […]
For kids of all ages…New DVD inspires the love of flight
Want to inspire the love of aviation in kids? Let kids tell the story. That’s just what the producers of a new DVD, “All About Airplanes and Flying Machines for Kids,” did. Licensed by Boeing, the DVD is narrated by 14-year-old aviation enthusiast Garrett Hultgren. Viewers ride along on Garrett’s first flying lesson, as well […]
the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“The administration’s proposed funding scheme is not about modernization. It is shifting costs from the airlines onto general aviation.” — Pete Bunce, General Aviation Manufacturers Association “Our future is being held hostage to the FAA funding decision.” — Phil Boyer, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association “When I come to work in the morning, I don’t […]
What will Congress do about use fees? First hearing setsbattle lines between GA and airlines
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Opening salvos in the FAA reauthorization/user fee battle were fired March 8 in the Senate Aviation Subcommittee and it quickly became clear the coming months will see aggressive actions by all sides in the controversy. This first hearing brought out the expected supporters and opponents of the administration’s proposals, plus a few […]
Can we convert from dual mag drive to separate drives?
Can we convert a Lycoming O-540-J3A5D from dual mag drive to separate drives? Can it be done on a 1980 Dakota 236? Our club, The Flying 20 Club of Danbury, Conn., has three planes, a Dakota and two Archers. Recently,during the overhaul of one of our Archers, N8198P, we had the plane equipped with the […]