An estimated 700,000 people attended this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. While the highlight of the week was the arrival on opening day of White Knight and SpaceShipOne, this year’s big show was non-stop, with the Global Flyer making an appearance, as well as the debut of the new HondaJet and the unveiling of many new […]
Tuskegee Airmen’s final mission
The Tuskegee Airmen never lost to enemy fighters any bomber that they escorted during World War II. They take justifiable pride in that fact. During the last year, however, they lost 50 members to age and illness. Although undefeatable by enemy fighters and 1940s prejudice, they decided at their 34th convention in mid-August that it […]
Feds propose permanent ADIZ
Pilots have a chance to comment on a proposal to make the area around the nation’s Capital a permanent “National Defense Airspace.” The permanent ADIZ is the idea of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Alphabet groups are lobbying intensely to fight the proposal. “No general aviation aircraft has […]
Chapel Hill rescued — at least for a year
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must continue to operate Horace Williams Airport (IGX) for the public and Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Medical Air Operations for at least another year, according to the state’s recently-passed budget bill. Meanwhile, the Legislative Research Commission will study the effect the closure of the airport would […]
Eclipse to start deliveries in March 2006
Eclipse Aviation is slated to deliver its first Eclipse 500 in March 2006. “Eclipse is on the verge of becoming a real company,” said CEO Vern Raburn, who explained that a “real” company is one where customers hand over money and the company delivers products. “Until then, you’re playing at being a company.” That first […]
Honoring the Greatest Generation
One of the complaints kids voice about having to learn history from books is how dry it is. If you could interact with it, it might be more interesting, they say. That could be done if you visited the Living History display that graced the warbird area of EAA AirVenture. Just behind the lines of […]
Unusual Attitudes
After reading the letter “Training better, happier pilots,” (July issue), I thought that I would drop you a quick e-mail to tell you about a most enjoyable experience I had. I took my first aerobatic training this weekend with Greg Koontz. His knowledge and experience of aerobatics make a great combination for the perfect learning […]
One bad apple
I find it ironic that shortly after our successful Airport Appreciation Day at Pickens County Airport in Jasper, Ga., a local “”professional”” pilot found the ear of the managing editor of the Pickens “”Progress,”” our local source of news, gossip and general hearsay. The resulting article contained more than 2,200 words, a lengthy piece for […]
The need for speed — Flying the Columbia 400
Well, it took awhile. Ever since Sun ‘n Fun 2005, I had been lusting to fly the Columbia 400, touted as the fastest production recip available today. Problem is, they’re selling so fast that Aero Sport Inc., the Columbia dealer for the state of Florida, has difficulty keeping a demonstrator in inventory. In the end, […]