The competition involved designing, building, and flight testing a banner-towing bush plane, conducting charter flights for passengers (rubber ducks) and hauling cargo (hockey pucks) to pay for the airplane and start a banner towing business.
Aircraft
Help Reopen a Hidden Gem
Giant City State Park in southern Illinois has posted a survey asking for public comments on reopening its backcountry airstrip.
Pilot Plus One Seminars Slated
The two-day seminars are education experiences built around a simple truth: Safety is a team sport, said Jolie Lucas, founder.
Pilot Crashes After Taking Phone Call During Run-Up
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Picture of the Day: Tippy Top
Diana Layton submitted this photo and note: “The angle of this shot looks as though the glider wing could touch the top of Welton Orchard Mountain in Petersburg, West Virginia.”
The Influencer
Aviation has always had influencers, even if nobody called them that. I’m not talking about the ones building a brand or trying to gather followers, however. The original aviation influencers were just people who cared enough to take a younger pilot under their wing, pass along what mattered, and leave a mark that lasted. That was certainly true in my case.
New Legislation Aims to Bridge Information Gap on Unleaded Avgas
Lawmakers have introduced the UNLEADED Act, a bipartisan bill requiring the FAA to establish an education program for general aviation’s transition to lead-free fuel.
New App Uses AI to Help Pilots Get Aircraft Renters Insurance
“Pilots already rely on technology in the cockpit,” said Ori Blumenthal, CTO of Skywatch. “Insurance should be just as intuitive. With our ChatGPT copilot, renters coverage starts with a conversation and finishes in minutes.”
Sporty’s Introduces Custom Taxiway Light Display
Designed to capture the unmistakable look of airport taxiway signs, the custom metal piece allows pilots to create their own identifier, using three individual taxiway squares, each with up to two characters.