Gyroplane builders Groen Brothers Aviation, based in Salt Lake City, have agreed to form a joint venture with the government of Aragon, Spain. GBA signed a memorandum of understanding with Aragon on Dec. 14. Aragon will acquire Groen Brothers’ Hawk 5 program under the agreement, and will fund GBA’s FAA certification of the aircraft, establish […]
Former astronaut “Hoot” Gibson joins space tourism company
Former astronaut and “Rare Bear” race pilot Robert “Hoot” Gibson has signed on as chief operating officer and chief test pilot for a fledgling California space tourism company. Gibson, the first Space Shuttle commander to dock with the Russian “Mir” space station, joined Benson Space Co. of Poway, Calif., in mid-December. The start-up firm plans […]
Build A Plane teams with Wathen Foundation: Group’s mission is to promote education
Build A Plane, a non-profit organization that donates airplanes to schools, has teamed with the Thomas W. Wathen Foundation at Flabob Airport in Riverside, Calif. The new partnership is committed to developing world-class aviation education curricula to motivate students to learn science, technology, engineering and math, say officials with both organizations. “It’s really a dream […]
Pearson Air Museum’s John Nold dies
John Nold, retired operations manager at Pearson Air Museum at Pearson Field in Vancouver, Wash., died Dec. 31 from complications after heart surgery. He was 64. Nold became the museum’s operations manager after a 30-year career as a school administrator. He held the position at the museum for eight years, retiring in June 2006. “He […]
Is your headset canceling too much noise?
The FAA has issued an Information for Operators (InFo) that advises pilots who use noise-canceling headsets of the potential for missing audible alarms and other sounds. While the InFo is intended for commercial operations, the warning is just as important for GA pilots. It notes that noise-canceling headsets use a combination of padding and electronic […]
The Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“An average of two accidents a week is not a record to be proud of, nor one easily explainable to an insurance company or the FAA.” — the 2006 Nall Report on the number of accidents caused by fuel mismanagement. “This law is unnecessary, discriminatory, anti-business and ineffective — and it violates the U.S. Constitution.” […]
“Paul Rever’s hose”: Charlie Lawrance and his engine that changed aviation
It is probable that you’ve never heard of Charles Lanier Lawrance, and that’s a shame. You know a lot about Wilbur and Orville Wright, of course, and you’re beginning to know about Charles Taylor, who was their mechanic and engine builder, and thus the world’s first A&P. You know somewhat less about Glenn Curtiss than […]
WHERE’S THE ADDED VALUE?
This is the first column feedback for any publication I have ever sent but I just had to. I believe Clint Adkins hit the nail on the head (Where are the expert answers? Ask Paul, Dec. 1, 2006). From the first copy of GANews I ever received I wondered what law school did this guy […]
Thanks for the review
Many thanks for the review of my book in the Dec. 15 issue (Anne Morrow Lindbergh: First Lady of the Air). I found it informative and insightful, and appreciate your comments. An avid reader of the above and other aviation magazines, I enjoy your articles and look forward to your future bylines. I hope to […]