Air show performer, aerobatics instructor and motivational speaker Nancy Lynn died Oct. 15 from injuries suffered in an airplane crash during an air show. She was 50 years old. Lynn was performing in her Extra 300L at Culpeper Air Fest at Culpeper Regional Airport in Virginia Oct. 14 when, during a low pass, the wing […]
Construction begins on Eclipse service centers
With its Eclipse 500 fully certified now, Eclipse Aviation is wasting no time. Eclipse received its FAA Repair Station certification Oct. 3, two days after receiving type certification. Repair Station certification means that the Eclipse service center program has met FAA aircraft repair and maintenance regulations, so the company now can lead repair and maintenance […]
Clayton Scott, firrst Boeing corporate pilot, dies at 101
Clayton L. “Scotty” Scott passed away Sept. 28 in Mercer Island, Wash. He was 101. Scott began his aviation career in 1926 by persuading airmail pilots to give him flight instruction. By 1928 he had an airplane of his own and was giving rides at an airport in the Seattle area. An in-flight emergency made […]
Cessna’s LSA makes first flight
Cessna’s entry into the Light Sport Aircraft race made its first flight Oct. 13. The proof-of-concept aircraft launched from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and flew for approximately 30 minutes. Company officials said the aircraft flew at speeds in excess of 110 knots. Cessna Chairman and CEO Jack Pelton proudly noted that this proof-of-concept […]
The Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“I think everyone is scratching their head, wondering how it is possible that an aircraft can be buzzing around Manhattan. It’s virtually the Wild West. There is no regulation at all, other than ‘don’t run into anything.’” — Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., who has been lobbying for rule changes since 2004. “We have very few […]
Knee jerks: The selling of fear in America
All the usual suspects have responded to the crash of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle’s Cirrus into a New York apartment building, Oct. 11. Politicians, newspaper reporters and editors, and television talking heads jumped right in with their standard anti-aviation paranoia. A notable exception was New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is a pilot. Bloomberg, who […]
SPECIAL THANKS TO PAUL McBRIDE
I would like to commend your publication and give a special thanks to Paul McBride, who gave me good technical advice regarding the storage of a Lycoming engine in my Piper. JOE CASEY Prior Lake, Minn.
HOW TO FEATHER AN ENGINE PROPERLY
I had to chuckle when I read the letter from Jim Newman of Kent City, Mich., in the Sept. 8, 2006 issue of GAN titled “How does a lady — or a Scotsman in a kilt — enter a Symphony 160?” I must defend those who would “feather an engine.” The procedure requires great eye-hand-foot […]
“IT’S THE NOISE, STUPID”
When I began to read the story “New Jacksonville law targets homebuilders in Florida city” in the Sept. 8 edition, I felt the outrage welling up against yet another government entity whipping on general aviation. Obviously, however, the facts are not always as they appear initially. So much for first impressions. If the story is […]