These days it is not uncommon to see a woman at the controls of an airliner, but what many people do not realize is that it took some 59 years for an American woman to become an airline pilot. Leading the way was Emily Howell Warner, who on Feb. 6, 1973, entered the cockpit of […]
A tribute to wartime flyers
Although a work of fiction, “A Common Glory” is based on fact and makes good use of historic photographs, as it weaves a charming but sometimes tragic Southern love story during World War II. George Westcott is a Royal Air Force pilot instructor, training RAF cadets at the U.S. Army Air Corps’ Cochran Field in […]
From farm boy to bomber pilot
During World War II, bomber pilots called the easier missions “milk runs,” but did you know there were also ice cream missions? That’s one of the side notes in “Pilot from the Prairie,” the memoirs of Edgar J. Allen. Allen, who now lives in Burien, Washington, flew 30 missions as a B-24 pilot. The book […]
‘Success on the Step’ chronicles the history of Kenmore Air
“Success on the Step” tells the history of Kenmore Air, started in 1946 by a pilot and two mechanics who wanted to “be our own bosses and be involved in aviation.” It was a one-plane operation based at Kenmore Air Harbor, basically a mud bog near Seattle. None of them had ever heard of a […]
Need to know info
“Things My Flight Instructor Never Told Me” is filled with excellent advice, delivered with humor. “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.” Author Michael Leighton says that summarizes his personal experience with general aviation. This rather slim volume is filled with excellent advice, developed from just such “experience” during a […]
Virginia lawmakers look at diverting airport improvement funds
The Virginia General Assembly is considering a bill that would take $5 million a year “off the top” of the Commonwealth Airport Fund to use as incentives for airline service at “non-hub and small hub” airports. House Bill 1603, assigned to a House finance subcommittee Jan. 12, seeks to amend a portion of the Code […]
Transient ops at the ‘DC-3’ — at last
The infamous “DC-3” airports — the three general aviation fields inside the Flight Restricted Zone around Washington, D.C. — are once again open to transient traffic. Well, sort of. Open, that is, to anyone who wants to go through the Transportation Security Administration’s vetting process. For the DC-3, that means being fingerprinted at Reagan National […]
Cirrus backs new series on The Outdoor Channel
Cirrus Design Corp., manufacturer of the Cirrus SR-20 and SR-22, has signed on as a sponsor of The Outdoor Channel’s new aviation series “Wings to Adventure.” The series, set to debut in July 2005, captures the magic of flight in high-definition. “This is a logical partnership for Cirrus,” said Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier. “Anyone who […]
Ultralight pilots file discrimination complaint against Paso Robles Airport
City and airport officials in Paso Robles, California, are facing scrutiny from the FAA because of a discrimination complaint filed by a local ultralight group. The brouhaha began when FAA and California Department of Transportation officials told the city that aircraft could not use ramps or taxiways as runways. Traditionally, ultralights at Paso Robles Municipal […]