Military history is a popular topic for many. For those bent toward air defense and weapons, “Battle Flight – RAF Air Defence Projects and Weapons since 1945″ might be worth consideration. Written by Chris Gibson, Battle Flight examines Britian’s air defense infrastructure, including development of radar, guided weapons and airborne early warning systems. following World War […]
Aviation News
New app helps decipher FAA acronyms
North Star Group has released a free FAA Acronyms Mobile App, which includes a searchable list of many of the commonly used acronyms used by the FAA and the aviation industry. The app, downloadable for iOS and Android mobile devices including iPhones, iPads, and Android hand-held and tablet mobile devices, allows users to search an […]
Pratt & Whitney donates two engines to Embry-Riddle
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University recently took delivery of two turbofan engines donated by Pratt & Whitney to enhance aerospace engineering education at the university. The engines, housed in the Gas Turbine Laboratory at the campus, will help engineering students expand their understanding of turbine engines, university officials said. Students eventually will take […]
Carb ice brings down Swift
Aircraft: Globe Swift. Injuries: None. Location: Anderson, S.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: About three hours into a cross-country flight the engine began to surge and lose power. The pilot applied carburetor heat, which seemed to improve engine performance briefly, but the engine surged again and eventually stopped running. The pilot made an emergency […]
Re-energizing GA: There’s an app for that
The numbers can be depressing: The general aviation market is down, pilot starts are down, fuel use is down. And while GA’s alphabet groups are working to change those numbers by advocating for their members, they are only reaching people who are already pilots. “And even people who are in aviation are flying less,” noted […]
Deliveries up slightly, billings down in 2012
WASHINGTON, DC — Last year, airplane shipments increased just .6%, while billings were down .9%, according to figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). While mixed, the 2012 year-end numbers don’t reflect “the amount of development work in progress in general aviation,” said Brad Mottier, GAMA chairman. “The general aviation segment is poised […]
Wagstaff joins Excalibur 421 team
PASO ROBLES, Calif. — Aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff has joined the Excalibur 421 team. She will be the demonstration pilot and also will be responsible for overseeing the transition training program. The Excalibur 421 features a remanufactured Cessna 421 airframe upgraded with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A turboprop engines. It also includes a custom Garmin avionics […]
Book: Topgun Days
With the movie Top Gun back in theaters, the timing of Dave “Bio” Baranek’s book titled, Topgun Days, is appropriate. The subtitle says it all… “Dogfighting, cheating death, and Hollywood glory as one of America’s Best Fighter Jocks.” Baranek was a Top Gun instructor when he “was assigned to combine his day-to-day flight duties with participation in […]
Eastern Aviation Fuels sponsors scholarship
The Florida Aviation Trade Association (FATA) and Eastern Aviation Fuels, the exclusive distributor of Shell branded aviation fuels in the United States, have established the Gary Steele Scholarship Fund as part of the FATA Scholarship Program. The fund is set up to honor the memory of Gary Steele and support the FATA/Embry Riddle Aeronautical University […]