When an airplane flies by and someone asks, “What is that?” they are usually talking about the airframe. When Roger Ryon and Martin Kosina fly by in their Piper Apache, it’s not the airframe that people remark on — it’s the paint job. They fly an airplane that looks like a mythological creature come to […]
Picking the right kit
Building your own airplane can be a very fulfilling experience. It can also be very challenging and consuming. Don’t let promises of it being a “quick build kit” and “less expensive than a factory-built aircraft” fool you. No matter what kind of aircraft you choose, understand that you will be investing a lot of time […]
Charter company provides rainbow rides
A specially painted Lear Jet helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrate 25 years of service and brought a smile to the faces of some 30 kids last month. The model 35A jet, owned by International Jet Aviation of Englewood, Colo., was due to be repainted. The company’s employees wanted to do something special for the kids […]
New digs, new optimism at Northwest Aviation Conference
The combination of a new building, an increase in the number of exhibitors and an expanded activity area for children contributed to the electricity in the air at the 2006 Northwest Aviation Conference held in Puyallup, Wash., the weekend of Feb. 25. Part trade show and part educational seminar, the show attracted between 12,000 and […]
Student vote against Boyington memorial sets off firestorm
Several members of the Student Senate at the University of Washington in Seattle managed to offend the Greatest Generation, the United States Marine Corps and many others with comments made during a debate about the creation of a monument on campus to honor Marine Lt. Colonel Greg “Pappy” Boyington. Boyington, a 1934 graduate of the […]
National Cross Country Air Races set for July
National Cross Country Air Races set for July In its 11th year, the US Air Race, Inc.’s 2006 National Cross Country Air Races are slated for July 16-23. Three races are open to all pilots and piston-powered aircraft. These handicapped speed races put a pilot’s skills on the line flying 2,400 miles. It all starts […]
Some medications do not fly
Pilots should consider the potential side effects of over-the-counter and prescription medications very carefully before flying. “Pilots who have questions about a medication should talk to their physician, pharmacist or aviation medical examiner,” said recently retired FAA Federal Air Surgeon Jon L. Jordan. “When in doubt, don’t fly.” To ensure that pilots are aware of […]
FAA taps Tilton as new federal air surgeon
Frederick E. Tilton has been named the new federal air surgeon. Dr. Tilton, who has served as deputy federal air surgeon for the past six years, replaces Jon L. Jordan, who retired earlier this year. As the federal air surgeon, Tilton oversees the Office of Aerospace Medicine’s workforce of more than 400 physicians, research scientists, […]
Commemorative Air Force expands mission
The mission of the Commemorative (formerly Confederate) Air Force is changing. For nearly 50 years, CAF’s mission has been to preserve and fly World War II aircraft as a tribute to those who flew, maintained or built them. However, in October members voted to expand the focus to include combat aircraft flown by the U.S. […]