Budding high school mechanics may find themselves working on old airplanes instead of cars thanks to a new agreement signed recently by the FAA and the Build A Plane organization. Under the agreement, the two will join forces to help give more students hands-on experience working on real airplanes. Each organization will use its unique […]
Five tips to protect your airplane’s value
Last year was a record year for aircraft sales and the trend is continuing this year. As sales boom, the American Society of Appraisers has highlighted some of summer’s hottest new trends in the aircraft industry, as well as tips for caring for aircraft. “Airplanes and other aircraft can be a huge investment for consumers […]
First Mustang demonstration plane takes flight
Cessna Aircraft Co.’s first production Citation Mustang took flight June 15, two weeks ahead of schedule. Serial number 0003 will enter service this December as Cessna’s first Mustang demonstrator aircraft. It is the fourth Mustang produced, and the first one that will not be used for FAA flight testing. Mustangs 0004 through 0015 are currently […]
Ohio teacher wins contest to name newest blimp
The latest blimp from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., launched earlier this spring, finally has a name, thanks to an Ohio schoolteacher. Matthew Harrelson of Uniontown, Ohio, submitted the winning name, Spirit of Innovation, in the company’s Name the Blimp contest. His reward: Use of a blimp for a day. “I can’t believe I won […]
golden West attracts record number of planes
Airplane count at the annual Golden West EAA Regional Fly-In, held June 9-11 at Yuba County Airport, Marysville, Calif., was at an all-time high, with more than 1,000 planes flying in for the event. One of the planes attracting a lot of attention was Cory Bird’s experimental. The builder, from Mojave, Calif., powers his plane […]
History organizations collaborate to catalog aviation archives
Volunteers from four aviation history organizations are collaborating to produce an on-line catalog of U.S. Air Force Engineering Division records now held at the U.S. National Archives II in College Park, Maryland. This gigantic collection of records chronicles the development and procurement of practically everything acquired by the USAF between 1917 and 1947. It contains […]
Test pilot Jim Gannett dies
James R. Gannett, a retired Boeing test pilot who helped launch the jet age, died of a brain aneurism June 17 at his home in Redmond, Wash. He was 83. Gannett’s interest in aviation was sparked as a boy when his father gave him $1 to take an airplane ride. That ride led to a […]
GA focus of new master plan at FMS
With a new master plan in the final stages, Fort Smith Regional Airport (FMS) in Arkansas has renewed its support of GA. As part of the plan, new construction of a taxiway and general aviation ramp will be followed by construction of three 14-unit nested T-hangars and at least one 10-unit shadeport. Construction is due […]
First Diamond Brilliance Flight Center opens
Diamond Aircraft has opened its first Diamond Brilliance Flight Center in Naples, Fla., operated by Europe-American Aviation. Diamond Brilliance Flight Center operators are hand-picked by Diamond Aircraft to provide flight training and aircraft rental services. The centers use Diamond aircraft and flight training devices exclusively. The Europe-American Diamond Brilliance Flight Center’s fleet will consist of […]