GA returned to Reagan National Airport (DCA) Oct. 18 for the first time since Sept. 11, 2001. The first flight was operated by New World Jet Corp., the first Part 135 operator approved by the TSA for access into DCA. While GA is allowed access to DCA again, flying there requires operators to jump through […]
Rep. Sweeney introduces GA security bill
A federal bill to enhance security at GA airports was recently introduced by Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) and, although it has not moved out of committee, it serves as strong motivation for airports to voluntarily beef up their security plans to avoid more regulatory action. The General Aviation Airport Security Act of 2005 (HR 3397) […]
Wilma wallops Florida
Airports across South Florida were damaged when Hurricane Wilma came ashore in late October. As this issue was going to press, damage reports were still coming in. At Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP) single and twin engine aircraft that had been torn from their tie-down areas littered the ramp like broken toys. “We have about 15 […]
What can you do about the high cost of flying?
You have no control over how much an airplane, or fuel, costs. But you do have some control over the amount of money flowing out of your wallet every time you fly. Here are just a few suggestions on how to save money: – Keep current. It will keep your insurance rates down. – Get […]
Three die in first Columbia crash
In the first fatal accident of a certified Columbia aircraft, three Scottsdale, Ariz., residents were killed Oct. 17 when their Columbia 400 crashed in the mountains near San Diego. Dead are Barrett Lauchner, owner of Lancair Certified Southwest, his wife Gina Marie, and Terry James Boom, a flight instructor and demonstration pilot for the company. […]
ID still unknown on airman found in Sierra Nevada mountains
Military forensic experts are studying human remains found on a glacier in the Sierra Nevada mountains in an effort to determine the man’s identity. It is believed the body is that of a World War II airman killed during a training flight in November 1942. Late last month hikers spotted the remains of an Army […]
Learning from others’ mistakes
Amidst the rubble of a fatal King Air crash, accident investigator Greg Feith found something strange: A Velcro strip on the panel. When he asked the pilot’s wife what it was for, she told him that her husband would put an alarm clock there, set for 15-minute intervals. During his regular flights from Oklahoma to […]
One sky, one voice?
As I started reading the editorial “One sky, one voice” (Sept. 23 issue), the object was to seek the one word that might be missing. Sure enough nothing was said regarding the equity of the situation being discussed. It is all one sky. It truly is and is jointly owned by each property owner to […]
Oshkosh, finally
I just thought you would like an update on our trip to Oshkosh that began in 2004 (Ultimate Itinerary: Best laid plans — OSH trip cut short by defective generator, Sept. 17, 2004 issue). We were primed and ready to go in August 2004 for the maiden cross-country trip, after completion of a 12-year restoration […]