Get-home-itis was the biggest link to the faulty judgment in this tragedy. It is a powerful force, so powerful that both men aboard were willing to risk single-engine flying over unlit mountainous terrain. In the middle of the night. Without an instrument rating. In smoke, clouds, and turbulence. With the moon adding all sorts of visual illusions — and with embedded thunderstorms along their route.
National effort needed to encourage students to pursue aviation careers
Inspiring young people and providing a clear pathway for students to choose a career in aviation is the goal of the task force, which recently held its second public meeting to discuss recommendations and strategies to encourage students to pursue a career in aviation or aerospace. The task force is made up of individuals from the aviation industry and the academic community.
STEM Flights expands to Wisconsin
Through STEM Flights, pilot mentors donate aircraft and time and are matched with students who apply online. Students are provided follow up resources for pursuing careers in STEM and aviation. The flight experiences donated by local pilots compliment the classroom instruction delivered by instructors.
Call for volunteer pilots for school supplies airlift
The airlift has a double mission: Collecting school supplies for less fortunate children in central Virginia, as well as inspiring students toward general aviation and STEM careers, according to organizers.
Cessna 206 damaged when door opens in flight
The pilot’s failure to verify that the rear cargo portion of the right cabin door was adequately secured before flight, which resulted in both portions of the door opening in flight and substantial damage to the fuselage.
Picture of the Day: Texas sunset
Andrew Johnson submitted this photo and note: “Resting 210 after a return trip up to Dallas from the beach.”
A kid with a Cub
Ask any pilot if they remember their first flying lesson and the airplane it occurred in. No doubt — and without hesitation — you will get a detailed and colorful description of this revered event. As with many pilots, I started my flying career in a Piper J-3C Cub.
Avoiding loss of control on the ground
The new video is the first of a four-part series aimed at addressing the most predominant general aviation mishaps.
FAA changes will revolutionize homebuilt flight testing
Task-based Phase I ensures that every hour spent in flight testing is meaningful and is contributing to both validating the airworthiness of the aircraft and gathering the data necessary to build a detailed operating manual. This will benefit the builder in ensuring full exploration of the aircraft’s operating envelope, and it will benefit subsequent owners in having access to quality data on the aircraft. In exchange for this work, the aircraft will be released from Phase I when it is ready, not based on an arbitrary time requirement, according to EAA officials.