The pilot’s improper decision to launch the balloon in known high wind conditions, and his failure to fully vent the balloon upon landing, which resulted in the balloon landing hard several times, tipping over, being pushed along uneven ground, and a serious passenger injury.
Picture of the Day: Scarlet’s first flight
Reggie Gibson submitted this photo and note: “My granddaughter, Scarlet Rose Gibson, during her first airplane ride in Pop Pop’s 210.”
Questions from the Cockpit: Are non-towered airports more dangerous?
Are non-towered airports really like the wild, wild west? And should there be more laws governing them?
Legal decision creates ‘confusion and concern’ about flight training
In a court case, judges ruled that “a flight instructor who receives compensation for flight instruction is carrying persons for compensation or hire.” This created confusion among flight instructors about what is — and isn’t — allowed in flight training.
Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame inducts legacy class
For its first inductions, the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame chose 11 people “whose significant and notable achievements in aviation or space flight were previously recognized by induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame,” officials noted. These men are known as the “Legacy Class.”
Fargo Air Museum honors Vietnam veterans
The week-long event begins with a weekend of programming honoring Vietnam veterans and featuring a number of guest speakers. Special exhibits of Vietnam War vehicles and artifacts will be on display throughout the week.
Fuel exhaustion fatal for pilot, five passengers
The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Also causal was the pilot’s failure to follow the one-engine inoperative checklist and maintain the airplane’s minimum controllable airspeed by properly configuring the airplane, which resulted in a loss of airplane controllability.
Picture of the Day: Shiny Luscombe
Jim Pantas submitted this photo and note: “A friend, Joe Baker, and his daughter, Emma, flew their Luscombe to the local favorite $100 Bar-B-Q restaurant at BQ1. Her takeoff was picture perfect, as everyone watched and filmed it.”
Fighting PTSD with flying and fellowship
A grassroots effort to help veterans dealing with PTSD by combining flying in a general aviation aircraft and fellowship afterwards led by a counselor has proven so successful that it’s been expanded to help kids dealing with drug and alcohol addiction.