A CFI reports his flight school gives his student the green light for his first solo — on the CFI’s day off. Things did not go well.
Aviation News
Picture of the Day: Morning light
Rajeev Pandey submitted this photo and note: “Preflighting for an early morning flight at Albany Municipal Airport (S12) in Oregon. But a balloon has already taken to the skies — the sound of the burner drew me out of the hangar and the glow of the burner caught my eye and that of the camera.”
Seven accidents in seven days
Did you hear the story of the pilot who crashed seven times in seven days? How does something like this even happen — and what lessons can we learn from this experience?
Safety advocate Paul Burger retires
After an aircraft accident that claimed the lives of friends, Paul Burger made a commitment to help others avoid the same tragedy. Since then he’s donated almost $1 million and countless hours to general aviation safety.
New A&P school to open in November at KADS
The new maintenance school will offer an FAA-approved 12-month program to take students from “no experience to a certified A&P ready to work,” according to company officials.
Aircraft refueling mat introduced
The new refueling mat protects general aviation aircraft from scratches and leaks while refueling.
Kitfox pilot crashes during STOL practice
The pilot’s inability to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while he intentionally flew at a low altitude during a practice for a short takeoff and landing flight competition.
Picture of the Day: The importance of aviation to firefighting
Penny Hamilton submitted this photo and note: “This Chinook helicopter, along with several others, deployed to Granby-Grand County Airport/Emily Warner Field (KGNB) in Colorado, to fight the Indian Peaks Wilderness Wildfire in a heavily-wooded, rugged area seven miles northeast of the popular summer tourist area in Fraser, Colorado. This heavy-lift helicopter is based in Yellowstone, Montana. The crew is headed to refuel before lifting off again.”
A checkered past does not preclude a bright future
There was a period in my career when I spent time restoring warbirds. I learned a valuable lesson during that phase of life: Anything can be repaired if you’ve got enough money and time. Anything.