Lockheed Martin and the F-22 Raptor team have won the 2006 Robert J. Collier Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association. Created in 1911, the trophy is considered to be one of the most prestigious aviation awards. It is granted each year “for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America during the preceding year.” […]
BUT COULD IT BEAT A CAR?
While modern air races pit airplanes against airplanes, like Reno favorite “Dago Red,” early air races had airplanes racing against cars — with the cars winning most of the time. The ‘good old days’ of racing The very first air races were not races between airplanes, but rather races between airplanes and automobiles. It was […]
User fee battle just the beginning: airlines want even more from GA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The user fee/fuel tax issue is consuming much of the time and energy of aviation advocates here but, win or lose the battle, general aviation will continue to have difficult struggles with the airlines for months — or perhaps years — to come. That was obvious from statements made by officials at […]
Confusion abounds on difference in rocker arms
I’m confused about the rocker arm differences on the O-360-A4K parallel valve cylinders because I know about the extreme heat that the exhaust valves endure. My question is why does the intake rocker arm #69444 have the extra oil hole that leads to the intake valve shaft to cool and lubricate it while the exhaust […]
Are multi-grade oils bad?
In my last column, “”Multi-grade vs. single-grade oils: The debate continues”” (Feb. 16 issue), I recommend single-grade engine oil over multi-grade oils for use in large radial engines (over 1,800 cubic inches displacement). I am hoping that you all did not read that and conclude that if multi-grades are not as good in large radials, […]
February 2005 Accident Reports
The mechanic’s improper installation of the oil filter canister base gasket, which resulted in an oil leak and the separation of the connecting rod due to oil starvation.
Iowa City Airport’s historic hangar preserved in the virtual world
If you can’t save a piece of history in the real world, save it in the virtual world. That’s what was done to the Boeing/United Airlines Hangar that for the past 77 years has graced Iowa City Municipal Airport (IOW) in Iowa. The hangar is slated for demolition to make room for a runway safety […]
Teens vandalize airplanes at Northern Caliornia airport
Four teenage girls in Garberville, Calif., are facing criminal charges and several hours of community service after allegedly trespassing onto a general aviation airport and vandalizing at least five aircraft. “Exactly when the damage happened isn’t clear,” said Brenda Godsey, public information officer for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office. “We were made aware of it […]
Direct-To Avionics closes
Chelton Flight Systems of Boise, Idaho, has come to the rescue of customers who were left in a lurch by the sudden closure of Direct-To Avionics. The Bend, Ore.-based company abruptly closed its doors in December. Direct-To Avionics was a distributor of systems for kit-built aircraft. Among the components supplied were those for Chelton Flight […]