General aviation pilot Terry Williamson of Pratt, Kansas, took a creative approach to propose to his girlfriend of two years, plotting a fight path that read, “Will you marry me Taylor?” When his girlfriend checked on his flight on FlightRadar24, she saw the message…and immediately answered yes.
Aircraft
National Aeronca Convention lands in Ohio in June
The National Aeronca Association, dedicated to supporting and preserving the history of Aeronca aircraft, was founded by Jim Thompson in the 1990s and holds its convention biennially in Middletown, the location of the Aeronautical Corporation of America, which manufactured Aeronca airplanes from 1928 to 1951.
New manager appointed at KMDH
Alyssa Connell takes over the helm at Southern Illinois Airport, replacing Gary Shafer, who retired after 46 years with the airport.
Wrong fuel during test flight fatal for pilot
Probable Cause: The airplane owner/builder’s inappropriate use of a lower grade fuel than that required by the airplane and engine operations manual, which resulted in engine detonation and the degradation and eventual obliteration of the Nos. 1 and 2 cylinder spark plug electrode tips.
Questions from the Cockpit: Got you covered — maybe
James, a private pilot and airplane owner in South Carolina, writes: What happens if someone wrecks your plane while they are considering buying it?
More than 5,000 pilots take part in safety campaign
In the wake of recent high-profile general aviation accidents in New York and Florida, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute reports that more than 5,000 pilots have already participated in the National Pause for General Aviation Safety.
ALOFT Academy launches to train mechanics
Students will join ALOFT as full-time employees from the first day of class, and graduate six months later as full-time mechanics.
Partnership launches to train air traffic controllers
Serco Inc., which operates 28 air traffic control towers in the United States, has partnered with Middle Georgia State University to offer training to future air traffic controllers.
Failure to engage turbocharger fatal
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to engage the turbocharger for takeoff and his improper decision to continue the takeoff with partial power, rather than reject the takeoff.