The Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) famous Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, FIFI — the only remaining flying example of the aircraft in the world — returned to the sky Saturday, Jan. 13, and flew to her home base in Addison, Texas. The flight crew arrived in Midland, Texas, and conducted a successful maintenance flight followed by […]
Aviation News
Search for 100LL alternatives continues, but slowly
The AVweb staff recently put together a comprehensive update on the search for alternatives to 100LL, detailing the latest from Swift Fuels, General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s G100, as well as the search for a drop-in, direct replacement for tetraethyl. The report notes that development “continues apace, although no clear winner is in sight.” Check it […]
Sebring LSA Expo: A different kind of airshow
As the curtain closed on the 2013 edition of the US Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., a common comment was overheard escaping the mouths of a handful of attendees. The specific wording varied, but the intent was familiar. Is attendance down? Where are the crowds? Have no fear — the show, commonly known as […]
Get home-itis kills three
Aircraft: Cessna 182. Injuries: 3 Fatal. Location: Adrian, Ore. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: According to family members, the 133-hour pilot and his two passengers, both relatives of the pilot, departed Nampa Municipal Airport in Idaho en route to Portland, Oregon, to attend a memorial service and a funeral. The pilot did not have […]
Corkey Fornof: Flying with Fury
“I’ve known your name forever,” I told Corkey Fornof, star attraction of the “First Saturday” breakfast last month at LoPresti Speed Merchants in Sebastian, Florida. “Me too!” laughed the stunt pilot legend, showing off the long-awaited LoPresti Fury (nee SwiftFury) these days at airshows. The man is having fun. And can he fly! Everyone’s first […]
Rock Airport of Pittsburgh to be auctioned off
Rock Airport of Pittsburgh (9G1), an industrial airport and airpark in Pennsylvania, is scheduled for public auction in the spring. And while a bid of $6 million has been made for the property, which is now in bankruptcy, airport officials hope to inspire additional bidders to ante up more money. According to an airport spokesman, […]
Cessna creased by crosswind
Aircraft: Cessna 210. Injuries: None. Location: Crestview, Fla. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to land in a crosswind. The winds were from the left at 11 knots with gusts to 20. Upon touchdown the airplane veered to the right, hitting a runway sign. The right main landing gear collapsed. Examination […]
Hand-propped airplane escapes pilot
Aircraft: Piper Turbo Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Meadview, Ariz. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot reported that he had shut down the engine on a remote dirt airport to inspect the tires before takeoff. When he attempted to restart the engine, he determined that the battery was insufficiently charged, so he decided to […]
Fast taxi leads to fire
Aircraft: Cirrus SR22. Injuries: None. Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, ATC instructed him to taxi from the FBO to the runway. After reaching the runway, he initiated the takeoff checklist. He increased the engine rpm per the checklist and the airplane moved forward slightly. He applied the […]