More than a half century later, David Wiebe is still flying the Piel Emeraude his father built from plans — and there’s a good chance the homebuilt will be flying well into the future, perhaps introducing another generation of Wiebes to the sky.
Avionics sales plummet 26% in 2020
While 2020’s sales marked the lowest amount of sales in the Avionics Market Report’s nine-year history, officials with the Aircraft Electronics Association note that the industry experienced “healthy sales growth” during the last six months of the year as pandemic restrictions loosened.
Registration opens for FlightSimExpo
The expo offers both in person and virtual attendance to those interested in flight simulation. It will feature an exhibit hall, panel discussions, and two days of presentations from airline pilots, dispatchers, accident investigators, air traffic controllers, flight simulation developers, and an F-35 test pilot.
Cockpit camera now available for R22s, R44s, and R66s
Mounted on the ceiling, the 4K Ultra HD camera records video, intercom audio, radio communications, and GPS position to a removable 128 GB USB flash drive.
Complacent student pilot bends plane
The student pilot’s complacency, which led to his improper crosswind correction and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground collision.
Picture of the Day: Top of the world in Tennessee
Jon Humberd submitted this photo and note: “The STOL Bandits exploring the Tennessee hills.”
One Pilot’s View: Medical mess
When the day comes that I should not fly any longer for medical reasons, I will tell my personal physician and quit flying. The FAA will play no part in my decision.
Fatal helicopter accidents down 20% in 2020
Preliminary data shows 94 total U.S. helicopter accidents in 2020 compared to 121 accidents the year before. There also were 19 fatal accidents in 2020 compared to 24 fatal accidents in 2019.
AirVenture 2021 will look much different, thanks to the pandemic
The pandemic is changing a lot at EAA AirVenture 2021, including the cancellation of several events where social distancing is not possible, including the Monday night concert, the Runway 5K, and large corporate events and receptions.