Kirby Chambliss won the Red Bull Air Race World Series, despite finishing third in the final race in Australia. Chambliss went into the race with 34 points, well ahead of his rivals. He ended the series with 38 points. Hungarian pilot Peter Besenyei claimed victory in the final leg of the competition as 300,000 spectators […]
AmSafe’s airbag saves 5 lives
AmSafe, Inc., a provider of restraint products to the aviation markets, has confirmed the successful deployment of its AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint system, which saved five lives in three separate accidents in the last four months. The accidents occurred in Wisconsin, Switzerland and Brazil. The restraint system is built directly into the seatbelts so that […]
NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System celebrates 30th anniversary
NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) recently marked its 30-year anniversary. The confidential reporting system is widely used by pilots to identify potential safety hazards. Established under a memorandum of understanding between NASA and the FAA, the system collects, analyzes and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports to reduce accidents and improve safety. […]
GAMA welcomes new members
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently approved three new members: Eclipse Aviation, based in Albuquerque, N.M., which received the type certificate for its Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet in September and immediately went from being an aircraft developer to a manufacturer; San Antonio-based Sino Swearingen, manufacturer of the fast and long-legged SJ30-2 business jet; […]
Diamond chooses ATP for D-JET training
Diamond Aircraft has tapped Airline Transport Professionals (ATP) to provide initial type ratings and recurrent training in the D-JET. ATP, which has locations around the country, has purchased 20 D-JETs and five Diamond Flight Training Devices (FTDs). Diamond will deliver ATP’s first D-JET in July 2009, about one year after starting delivery of production aircraft. […]
the Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“The condos will just have to go somewhere else.” — FAA Administrator Marion Blakey at AOPA Expo talking about the FAA’s position on airport closures. “I’m buying it!” — Alan Klapmeier, the co-founder of Cirrus Design, commenting on the 3,000th Cirrus to roll out of the factory. His brother, Dale, flies the 1000th, while Patty […]
How to protect your airport… and other things I learned at AOPA Expo
Are THEY trying to close your airport? THEY must get around and be great in numbers because during AOPA Expo in Palm Springs last month I heard all about the ubiquitous THEY who are trying to close airports in several states. The first thing I asked when greeted with this statement was “Which they is […]
Old school flying
Your article on “Old School Flying” in the Oct. 20 issue was great! You know my affinity for the classic airplanes so this article really hit home. I went with a friend to pick up a new Legend Cub and fly it home a few months ago and it was a fun trip, flying low […]
Still Learning
Well, Tom, I learned a couple of things (I’m almost 60 and started flying in 1965) from your article “Old School Flying.” 1. I never knew it was illegal to prop an airplane. 2. I’d never heard of the crank in the middle of a Piper instrument panel. Back in the 1960s, we had a […]