This March 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Phoenix. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The flight instructor was demonstrating a soft-field takeoff to his student. During […]
Aviation News
Weep No More
Paul Beck is an expert at stopping leaks in wing tanks There is no shortage of unusual businesses serving the general aviation industry, but sealing wing tanks for a living must be on everyone’s short list. That’s because it’s so difficult since our tanks are sealed inside the wings and the access ports are made […]
Flying the Allegro
LSA America builds the Czech-designed Allegro in America as one of the first companies (but not the last, I suspect) to cross the Atlantic. Ironically, this results in an aircraft less expensive than other LSAs that come from Eastern European countries where we once thought low wages and high aviation skills would upset U.S. airplane […]
195 members of House tell president: No $100 fee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president’s 2013 budget plan to charge $100 per flight to aircraft using controlled airspace was never expected to be adopted and it got another major setback when 195 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent Obama a letter opposing the fee. “The letter is another clear example that user fees […]
Sun ’n Fun to feature Splash-In again this year
The Sun ’n Fun Splash-In will once again be held at Fantasy of Flight on Lake Agnes in Polk City, Florida. The Splash-In, an event dedicated to seaplanes and float flying, is held every year as part of the fly-in. A few years ago, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks invited the seaplanes to his […]
Are you a risk taker?
Whether you’ve logged thousands of hours or recently began learning to fly, the decision-making and risk-management process can sometimes be arduous. While airline pilots consult company guidelines, general aviation pilots are mostly left to their own judgment for go/no-go decisions. Now you can plug your profile and expected fight conditions into the ASI Flight Risk […]
Aviation’s roots planted firmly in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s long and colorful aviation history is part of the fabric of the state, and its economic contributions have sustained it through wars and recessions, Gov. Mary Fallin said a conference sponsored by the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and the FAA. In a story in The Tulsa World, Fallin is quoted […]
NTSB: Action needed on ECi cylinders
The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that the FAA require repetitive inspection of some cylinder assemblies on Teledyne Continental Motors Model 520 and 540 engines not covered by existing airworthiness directives issued following engine failures, according to a report at AOPA.org. The report quotes the Feb. 24 safety recommendation, noting the NTSB said it […]
Only airworthy B-29 to tour Florida
The world’s only flyable Boeing B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” will tour Florida during the month of March, visiting, Gainesville, Daytona, Titusville, Ft. Lauderdale, Punta Gorda, Lakeland and Tallahassee, officials with the Commemorative Air Force B-29/B-24 Squadron said. The highlights of the tour will be the appearance of “FIFI” at the TICO Warbird Airshow, Florida International Air […]