After World War II Uncle Sam had hundreds of surplus B-17s. The ones that were not scrapped became cargo aircraft or fire bombers. A few were even converted into executive transport. B-17G Serial #44-85790 may have had the most unusual fate of the Boeing brethren as it was converted into the roof of a gas […]
Protect your plane at a fly-in
You put in hundreds of hours getting your plane from “project” status to showpiece and now you’re ready to take it to a fly-in for exhibition. From your arrival to departure, there are many steps you can take to ensure your plane’s safety at a fly-in. Let’s start at the beginning: Be aware of the […]
Are you a survivor?
The better you plan, the better your day will be at a fly-in. Follow these simple guidelines to enhance your air show experience: ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT A good pair of walking shoes is a must. You will spend a lot of time walking on asphalt, so make sure your insoles are in good condition. Socks should […]
Parks Service protects B-29 in Lake Mead
Are you a diver? How would you like to dive on a B-29 that has sat undisturbed below the surface of Lake Mead near Boulder City, Nev., for the better part of the last century? The National Parks Service, in charge of protecting the site, is pondering ways to allow access to the plane while […]
Grass roots effort thwarts fuel bill
When pilots in Washington State learned of legislation to require all automobile gas sold in the Evergreen State to contain ethanol, they went off like a stall warning horn. The problem is that many aircraft have been modified through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to run on auto gas. Operating an airplane engine with auto […]
Expansion continues at Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) is soaring to new heights with recent developments. Ranger Aviation, an FBO at ISM, is in the process of building a 60,000-square-foot executive terminal. This facility will house corporate offices, tenants, conference rooms, pilot facilities and a full-service restaurant. Meanwhile, another FBO, Marathon Flight Services, is nearing completion of a […]
eXtreme Airhsow Challenge: NASCAR of the air
The Association of Competition Airshow Pilots (ACAP) launches its “eXtreme Airshow Challenge” next month. “Fans and sponsors can expect all the fun and excitement of a traditional air show, plus much, much more, including performances by some of the best air show pilots in the world,” says Rick Rushing, founder of the ACAP series. Competitions […]
NORAD tells FAA to pull public transcript of ADIZ meeting
The FAA has yanked the transcript of a Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) public meeting from the Web, after being ordered to do so by the Department of Defense and security officials. AOPA promptly filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get the information back in public view. “These were public meetings […]
Tuskegee Airmen honored by Congress
A unanimous vote in the House and a 99-1 vote in the Senate assure that a Congressional Gold Medal will be awarded, collectively, to the Tuskegee Airmen. The award recognizes the illustrious military record set by the black airmen during World War II, and their inspiration for the post-war end to racial discrimination in the […]