McFarlane Aviation has acquired Airglas, a manufacturer of backcountry aircraft equipment like fiberglass skis and cargo pods. Airglas will maintain its Anchorage operations while leveraging McFarlane’s global distribution network to reach more bush pilots and mechanics worldwide.
Flying
Sporty’s Introduces Compact Pilot Gel Seat Cushion
Sporty’s has introduced the new Compact Pilot Gel Seat Cushion, designed specifically for aviators. Featuring a foldable honeycomb gel matrix, the cushion fits into flight bags while providing comfort during long flights.
Fuel Starvation Ends Student’s Cross-Country in Tampa Bay
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate preflight fuel planning by the student pilot and flight instructor, and the improper inflight fuel management by the student pilot.
Picture of the Day: Enjoying The Afternoon
Ronald Donner submitted this photo and note: “The Southern Minnesota landscape on a late afternoon framed by the wings and wires of a Hatz CB-1 biplane.”
Full Circle: Young Eagles Pilot Flies Two Generations
Thirty-three years after a Young Eagles flight in a Piper Cub inspired him to become an airline captain, Robert Frank watched his daughter take her own first flight in the exact same airplane — with the very same volunteer pilot at the controls.
World’s Largest Airplane Weather Vane
When we ran Sparky Barnes’ photo as Picture of the Day on Sept. 29 of Wisconsin’s Largest Weathervane, that prompted ready Sandy Munns to share his recollection of the world’s largest aviation-related weathervane: A DC-3 at the Yukon Transportation Museum in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
New App Lets Pilots Practice Instrument Scans Anywhere
Built by an instrument student grounded by booked airplanes and bad weather, ChairFly lets pilots sharpen their cross-check between flights
Picture of the Day: Thunderbird Celebrates the Cessna 150
David Dickins submitted this photo and note: “Captured this outside our hangar while preflighting our 150. The Thunderbirds were practicing making noise prior to the 2026 California International Airshow in Salinas, California.”
Would You Prefer to Use Mogas at Your Airport?
You could be the one to make it happen.