Robert Garcia is nearly ready to fly the legendary biplane that he has been restoring for six years. It’s an airplane that is doubly legendary. First, it is an elegant 1944 Beech D-17S, the legendary Staggerwing. It also fulfills the fantasies of all who love historic airplanes: Garcia found it in a St. Petersburg, Fla., […]
Cirrus outsells Cessna — again
Year-to-date shipments released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) confirm Cirrus Design Corp.’s “dominant position” as the market leader in high-performance, single-engine, four-place airplanes. “For the past three years the Cirrus SR22 has been the world’s best selling airplane,” said John M. Bingham, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re pleased that our […]
One size does not fit all: Mineta says no to user fees
The FAA’s funding problems won’t be solved by user fees if Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has any say in the matter. “I can tell you right now, from my perspective, the solution will not be user fees,” Mineta told more than 1,000 pilots at the opening session of the AOPA Expo earlier this month. “The […]
Potomac Airfield closed for alleged security violations
November began on a sour note for pilots at Potomac Airfield (VKX). The Transportation Security Administration issued a letter informing the airport that its security program has been suspended. Simply stated, the airport is closed. The Maryland airport had been notified recently – and repeatedly, according to Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta – about its […]
RAM Aircraft breathes new life into old engines
You’ve just spent big money getting the exterior and interior of your airplane restored, now how about finishing the job and renovating what’s under the cowl? RAM Aircraft in Waco, Texas, can help you do the job. The company has more than 25 years in the engine remanufacturing business. It specializes in providing horsepower upgrades […]
Wolf Aviation Fund grants available
The Wolf Aviation Fund, which has supported more than 100 projects in the last few years promoting general aviation, is seeking new proposals. Deadline is Dec. 15. Last year, more than 30 projects received funding, ranging from educational and airport promotion projects to programs that help disabled people get involved in flying, development of a […]
Make you voice heard
The Washington, D.C., ADIZ costs the 10 airports within it more than $43 million a year. That’s how much those airports lose each year in wages, revenue, taxes and local spending because of the Air Defense Identification Zone, according to a new study from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. “The study shows that those most […]
Superior doubles engine build school classes
Superior Air Parts, Inc., is doubling the number of class offerings for its popular XP-360 Engine Build School. “Customers were signing up for the school a year in advance,” noted Evan Yearsley, lead build school instructor and engine production manager. “We felt that was too inconvenient for our customers, so the decision was made to […]
CAN records 253 patient flights in October
Corporate Angel Network, which provides free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment by using empty seats on corporate and fractional aircraft, arranged a record-breaking 253 patient flights in October. The previous monthly record of 244 flights was set in 2004. Founded 25 years ago, the charity has arranged more than 22,00 flights and […]