By PETER M. BOWERS. A major design objective of the Naval Aircraft Factory SA-1 of late 1918 was to have as simple a structure as possible. This was achieved, but almost to the point of being crude in some areas. The structure, particularly in the fuselage, has some features well worth considering for today’s ultralights […]
Improper maintenance contributes to crash that kills one
These December 2002 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Rockwell Commander 114. Location: Hot Springs, Ark. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The airplane was en route to […]
New laser scanner improves portability and accuracy
NVision introduces the ModelMaker Z series laser scanner, which offers better portability and accuracy for inspection and reverse engineering. A new camera provides higher accuracy by resolving details half the size of those that could be captured by the previous model. The scanner can be powered by a battery for up to two hours of […]
Aircraft Spruce lists new wheel jack
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty has added a new wheel jack to its list of items in stock. Designed to be portable and stored in GA aircraft, the jack weighs just 4.5 pounds and makes it easy to raise an aircraft gear for tire replacement. Price: $94.50. For more information: 877-4-SPRUCE or AircraftSpruce.com.
Pneumatic luggage door approved for Pipers
Knots 2U, Ltd. has a new STC’d product for all Piper PA-28 models. Lift the luggage door a few inches and a strut will automatically open the door the rest of the way. Installation can be accomplished in less than an hour and the kit comes with all of the parts and hardware necessary. Introductory […]
‘My First Log Book’ – a gift for all ages
My First Log Book, with “…and Activity Book” as a too-easily-overlooked subtitle, is one of those great ideas for children who fly, whether via general aviation or the airlines. Not only does it encourage children to write about their travels and the things they observe along the way, but it includes activities such as mazes […]
A toy shop for all ages
Carl and Joy Proetschel didn’t have much luck when they tried to find gifts for a young son whose third word was “airplane.” “We found things here and there, but it took a lot of looking and there just wasn’t one good source,” Joy said. “After a lot of frustration, Carl said, ‘Why don’t we […]
To Conquer the Air (Book Review)
“To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and The Great Race for Flight” by James Tobin. Tobin, who holds a Ph.D. in history, is a writer whose work has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. He traces the work of the Wrights and interweaves it with the efforts of others who were […]
Flying High (Book Review)
Can a hyperactive, teetotalling, non-flying entrepreneur, whose first business went bankrupt and who was fired by a top company, do anything significant in the airline business? If your name is David Neeleman, the answer is a high-flying “yes,” as told in the new book “Flying High, How JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman Beats the […]