On April 28, 2025, Carl Reigle continued a proud family tradition, earning his private pilot certificate at Reigle Airport (58N) in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. Carl’s great-grandfather, Charles “Chas” Reigle, founded Reigle Airport in 1942.
General Aviation
Blimp pilots: An elite club
There are fewer blimp pilots in the world than astronauts.
Museum awards $276,000 in scholarships
Some of the scholarships are for high school seniors planning to attend a college, university, or trade school, while others are for flight training, according to museum officials.
Sporty’s updates free Instructor Guide to FAA Endorsements
This free, digital reference is designed to help flight instructors navigate the most common FAA endorsements, according to Sporty’s officials.
Piper crashes after student freezes on controls
Probable Cause: The premature retraction of the flaps by the student pilot, while just above the airplane’s stall speed. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and failure to regain aircraft control from the student pilot.
Picture of the Day: Flying over a volcano
Marshall Severson sent in this photo with a note: “This photo was shot by me over the steaming Mount Spurr volcano in south central Alaska on May 24, 2025. It is a frame save from my GoPro 360 Max. The C172 is at 11,500 feet. It is pretty thrilling up there.”
A day at KLVK
With events like this, it’s hard to know in advance what you’ll see, but any airplane is better than no airplane.
Backcountry etiquette campaign rolls out
RAF officials noted that the organization has partnered with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Tread Lightly, and state pilot organizations on the initiative, which is designed to raise awareness “on the importance of respecting the backcountry to preserve access to these special places.”
French company introduces hybrid-electric engine for homebuilt aircraft
The HPU 210 hybrid power unit (HPU) is equipped with Kawasaki’s H2SX thermal engine, which provides maximum power of 150 kW, along with a 60-kW electric motor. In typical operation, the thermal engine delivers baseline propulsive power, while the electric motor kicks in during high-power demand situations, boosting power by 40%, resulting in shorter takeoff distances, enhanced obstacle clearance, and increased cruise speeds, according to company officials.