The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.
Picture of the Day: Sunrise
Diana Layton submitted this photo and note: “A Civil Air Patrol plane soaks in the morning sunrise, awaiting glider flights at the West Virginia Wing’s Potomac Highlands Composite Squadron at Grant County Airport (W99).”
A twin tale of the challenge of earning your wings
It took eight CFIs, three flight schools, and several canceled appointments for their check rides, but twins Sean and Wells Muraskin prevailed, earning their private pilot certificates in March 2024.
Good news from California
Oceano County Airport lives to fly another day.
Caravan fleet soars past 25 million flight hours
Certified in 100 countries, more than 3,000 Caravans have been delivered around the world.
King School releases free course on how to use the E6B
Noting that many student pilots struggle to comprehend a manually operated E6B, the course features Martha King explaining how to “master the infamous ‘Wiz Wheel,'” according to King School officials.
Open door impacts pilot’s ability to control Viking
I was quite surprised by how much the door impacted the controllability of the airplane. While the door being partially open should not in itself be an emergency, the controllability issue created the potential for a loss of separation in the high density traffic area.
Picture of the Day: A true member of the family
Carl Hicks submitted this photo and note: “Our 1957 C180A at Pierce County/Thun Field (KPLU) in Washington. She has PPONK, MTV-9 3 bladed prop, titanium gear, Sportsman STOL, flat extended baggage, Micro Aerodynamics vortex generators, Stene Quasar wig-wags, Selkirk interior throughout, Mountain Wave nets, 10-inch locking tailwheel. Lightweight, identifies as a helicopter. Criss-crossed the U.S. at least 25 times and the greatest joy are backcountry strips in the Pacific Northwest.”
Celebrating SUN ‘n FUN’s golden anniversary
The night air shows on Wednesday and Saturday nights put the party in the 50th-year celebration of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.