Aero-nuts across the land are looking to central Florida for their first big outing of the year. It’s all about SUN ‘n FUN for the next couple weeks. Getting there, reveling in the wonder of it all, and getting home again. It’s a process — one that requires a bit of planning and patience and perhaps a touch of persistence.
Aircraft
Paper airplane sets world record
A pair of Boeing engineers have shattered the world record by flying their paper airplane nearly the length of a football field.
New flight school opens at O38
A new flight school, TruFlight Academy, which specializes in helicopter flight training, has opened at Gundy’s Airport (O38) in Owasso, Oklahoma.
Picture of the Day: Thunderbirds in Training
Robert Kolinsky submitted this photo and note: “USAF Lt. Col. Justin ‘Astro’ Elliott, commander of the Thunderbirds, leads the team down Taxiway Bravo at Edwards AFB, California during their 2023 winter training.”
GA advocates successfully fight Washington bill that would have banned 100LL
The original bill, WA HB1554, introduced in January 2023, called for the phased-in restriction on the “selling, distributing, or otherwise making available to consumers” leaded avgas in Washington state starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Bill Shea honored with Distinguished Statesman Award
William “Bill” Shea, founding director of the University of Nebraska Omaha Aviation Institute, was recently presented the 2022 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award.
Wright at Home
After a three-year absence, Wright at Home returns, with visitors once again invited to an open house at Hawthorn Hill in Dayton, Ohio, Orville Wright’s family mansion.
Picture of the Day: Waiting for better weather
Mark McMillan II submitted this photo and note: “This is my 1954 Cessna 170B airplane. So far I have 240 hours in her, and am planning to complete some long distance trips soon. From the classy paint, to the originally style panel, and Mohair interior this plane transports you back in time.”
Air show raises millions for local charities
First held in 1981, the California International Airshow Salinas has raised more than $8 million for local charities, and had an economic impact of about $4.4 million for Salinas Municipal Airport.