The director of Lakeland Linder International Airport, home to SUN ‘n FUN, will take over as president and CEO after this year’s fly-in. That’s when John “Lites” Leenhouts, president since 2011, retires.
Briefings
Best in flight training revealed
The 2021-2022 survey garnered nearly 8,000 submissions, including 1,740 recommendations for top CFIs and 949 for best flight school. Taking top honors for flight schools is In the Pattern in Denton, Texas, while Ambyr Peterson of Minneapolis took top honors for CFI.
Turbo Skylane back in Cessna lineup
The updated Turbo Skylane features the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, a heated propeller, an in-cabin oxygen system, is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540 engine. Orders are being taken now, with delivery expected in early 2023.
Backcountry airstrips added to Jeppesen Nav databases
“Adding more of those type of airstrips to the Jeppesen Nav databases of aviation GPS units makes it much easier for a larger number of private pilots across the country to gain access and enjoy the benefits and freedom of flying that we all cherish.” said Avidyne President Dan Schwinn.
Do you know a great teacher?
The National Aviation Hall of Fame has put out a call for nominations for the annual A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award. Deadline for submissions is June 10, 2022.
$50,000 grant will improve, expand airstrip at Alaska’s Childs Glacier
The grant will be used to add 400 feet to the airstrip just north of the glacier’s face. Improvements also call for cutting cottonwood trees an additional 200 feet, which will yield “a reasonably safe bush strip,” according to officials with the Recreational Aviation Foundation.
First-ever Utah Aeronautics Conference takes off in May
Slated for May 9-11, 2022, the conference features a variety of training sessions for mechanics, pilots, airport managers, drone pilots, and airport engineers. A Student Career Fair is also planned, along with many other activities.
Laser strikes break dangerous record
The FAA received 9,723 reports of laser strikes from pilots in 2021, a 41% increase over 2020.
New pilot training opportunities available from Garmin
Garmin has expanded pilot training opportunities for 2022, including webinars, eLearning courses, instructor-led classes and a variety of self-study guides and trainers offered for the GTN series, G500/600, G500/G600/G700 TXi, G3X, and Garmin integrated flight decks.