“Although the future of general aviation looks bright, we have not allowed this optimism to make us complacent.” — Pete Bunce, president, GAMA. “There must continue to be robust funding for general aviation, something Congress has repeatedly recognized even when an administration has attempted to slash GA funding.” — Phil Boyer, president, AOPA. “Without question, […]
The latest on NAVAIDS, user fees and fuel rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Should the NAVAIDS at airports go unmonitored when the tower is closed? That’s a question the FAA is asking as it proposes leaving certain Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), Localizer Type Directional Aids (LDA), Microwave Landing Systems (MLS), and Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) unmonitored at times when the control tower is not operating. Some […]
And now, the rest of the story: An update on increased levels of copper in oil
After my Nov. 3 column, “”Why are there increased levels of copper in my oil?”” was published, I received some valuable advice from industry experts on the subject. After doing further research, here’s the rest of the story: First of all, the column was on the mark, but I feel I may have been off […]
How importnat is it to preheat an engine?
How important is it to bring up oil temperature before takeoff? So asks Larry Lowenkron, who uses a multi-viscosity oil. How important is it to bring up oil temperature before takeoff? So asks Larry Lowenkron, who uses a multi-viscosity oil. What’s important is not what type of oil you use, but rather the reason for […]
Tuskegee Airmen’s perfect record questioned
The Tuskegee Airmen never lost to enemy fighters a bomber they were escorting. That has been accepted as fact for 61 years, since the end of World War II. On Dec. 10, however, Tuskegee Airmen Historian William F. Holton told the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser that Air Force records show at least a few bombers escorted […]
Above-average hurricane season forecast
The 2007 hurricane season will be one of “above-average” activity, according to Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University, one of the best-known and most accurate forecasters. Gray’s “early season forecast,” issued Dec. 8, predicts 14 named storms, seven of which will become hurricanes. Three of those will be major hurricanes, meaning category 3, 4 […]
Doctor’s order: Fly a one-of-a-kind airplane
It all started for Jeff Laskin when he was in first grade in Chicago. “I was so excited about wearing a ‘Mighty Mouse’ costume for Halloween,” he recalls. “I remember jumping off the desks pretending to fly until the teacher ‘grounded’ me.” But that teacher couldn’t ground his dreams of flight. Those dreams were put […]
Florida rookie Jason Newburg wins at Reno
When something bad happens, a lot of people can let it get them down. Not Jason Newburg, who took something bad and turned it into victory. The Edgewater, Florida, aerobatics performer bought a Pitts Special S-1 in Jamaica. When it arrived in Florida, he found it had been damaged in shipping. The plane, now named […]
‘Diamond Li’ undergoes extreme makeover
The Commemorative Air Force’s “Diamond Lil” may be no more. The B-24, the oldest in existence, is in the midst of a restoration that will return it to its original B-24A status. Based at the B-29/B-24 Squadron at the CAF’s Midland, Texas, headquarters, “Diamond Lil,” was put in the paint scheme and markings of the […]