Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without confirming it had been released from maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to loose magnetos. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Picture of the Day: The Golden Age of Aviation
Jim Roberts submitted this photo and note: “A DC-3 in Western Airlines livery flew all the way from Drummond, Montana, to visit the 2024 SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo.”
Unleaded avgas: As I see it
Switching GA to unleaded fuel is something that has been going on for the better part of 50 years, if not longer. I vividly remember being pounded on at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for many, many years as to why Lycoming wouldn’t approve the use of “car gas” in its engines.
Flight Design pursues restructuring amid insolvency filing
Flight Design has filed for insolvency following liquidity issues. A restructuring process is underway, with operations and deliveries continuing as efforts to secure funding and investment progress.
Registration opens for Air Race Classic
Women pilots will take off June 17, from H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport in Fairhope, Alabama, for a 2,426 statute mile competition across nine states that ends at Felts Field in Spokane, Washington.
DC-3 Society takes off
The DC-3 Society is the first type club for the DC-3, which provides type-specific guidance for operating the DC-3 and its variants, including the C-47, as a way to maintain airworthiness for the models so that future generations can see them fly, according to officials.
Near miss in the pattern
If we had continued downwind as normal, Aircraft Y would have hit us.
Picture of the Day: Shadow runway
Lee Fox sent in this photo with a note: “A 1942 Stearman PT-17 casts its shadow over Runway 33 at Stafford Regional Airport (KRMN) in Virginia, coming back from its Veterans Day appearance honoring those who served in our Armed Forces. This particular Stearman trained Naval Aviation Cadets at NAS New Orleans and NAS Dallas during World War II. It now participates with the Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing, flying more than 100 rides a year so aviation enthusiasts can experience the unique experience of flying in an open cockpit biplane.”
Share the joy when you can
After many years, so many annual inspections, multiple flight reviews, and an untold number of weather delays, it is possible to become slightly jaded about the wonder of aviation. But I suspect you’ll find, as I have, that introducing non-pilots who have a fresh set of eyes to even the most benign aeronautical experience can have great effect.