In 2002, Clinton Frederick returned to his grandparents’ house for a family wedding. Remembering from his childhood that the attic contained Japanese swords, a parachute and other World War II memorabilia, he decided to look around up there. In an old trunk he found more than 100 letters written by his father, Capt. George Frederick, […]
Ed Davis, Viet-nam POW, dies at 67
Retired Navy Capt. Edward A. Davis, who was 67, died Nov. 7 of pancreatic cancer near his home in Lancaster, Pa. Davis was a North Vietnam prisoner of war for 7-1/2 years. After retirement he became an outstanding motivational speaker, focusing on management under difficult circumstances – a subject he knew well. Davis had flown […]
Gen. Jacob Smart dies at 97
Retired Air Force General Jacob E. Smart died Nov. 12 at his home in Ridgeland, S.C. He was 97. Smart planned the audacious low-level raid on Romania’s Ploesti oil fields and refineries during World War II. A third of Nazi Germany’s oil was produced and refined at the Ploesti fields. The legendary raid was flown […]
FAA warns ‘mogas’ users about ethanol: Alcohol and airplane engines don’t mix, agency says
The FAA finally has taken notice of the potential problems posed by ethanol to users of automobile gasoline in airplanes. The Experimental Aircraft Association and many aviation publications, including this one, have been warning pilots flying on ‘mogas’ about the hazards of ethanol – a form of alcohol – for several years. In a Special […]
Rotex kills V-6 engine project
An innovative engine being watched with eager anticipation by pilots and airframe manufacturers has been scrapped by Rotax, a division of Bombardier Recreational Products. The liquid cooled REV V-6 will reach certification this month, according to a BRP-Rotax statement, but will not be manufactured and marketed. Neither is the technology for sale, said Luc de […]
‘Texas Raiders’ finally gets a hangar of its own: B-17 could be back in the air by next summer
Being on a waiting list for hangar space doesn’t do your aircraft any good while it’s sitting out on the ramp exposed to the elements. Finding indoor space is particularly difficult when your airplane is 75 feet long and has a 103-foot wingspan. Members of the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force know […]
A Warhawk Resurrection: Warhawks Inc. makes grand debut with award-winning P-40
Aircraft restoration is very much a niche market. One of the newest shops to open is also geared to one of the most beloved warbirds. Warhawks Inc., in Granite Falls, Minn., is dedicated to the restoration of Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. The company made its debut on the warbird scene at EAA AirVenture this summer with […]
Bowerman Field on endangered airports list: Washington’s Port of Grays Harbor wants out of the airport game
Is there a difference between making plans to close an airport and asking the FAA to release a sponsor from the covenants on its deed? That’s what the users of Bowerman Field (HQM) in Hoquiam, Wash., want to know. Last month the news that the Port of Grays Harbor was seeking a way to be […]
Cirrus unveils silver edition
“Chute happens. Live with it.” This is on a bumper sticker handed out by the Cirrus Design at AOPA Expo. One of the things that sets Cirrus apart from other aircraft is the built-in parachute from Ballistic Recovery Systems. This can be a double-edged sword, noted Alan Klapmeier, Cirrus co-founder, because some people in the […]