The summer release of “Disney’s Planes,” the animated comedy adventure from above the world of the popular 2006 film “Cars,” has the entire aviation community buzzing. Those attending AirVenture this year will have the opportunity to experience a Special Preview Screening at the Fly-In Theater on Friday night, Aug. 2, one week before the movie […]
General Aviation
A Q&A with Lycoming’s top man
After Oshkosh, I sent an email to Michael Kraft, Lycoming’s senior vice president and general manager. Due to this busy travel schedule, he was just able to get his answers to me. To honor his request, I agreed to run this in a Q&A format. Q: Is Lycoming working on or considering development of a […]
Congress gives FAA flexibility
Officials at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association praised Congress for passing legislation that would give the FAA the flexibility to make more measured decisions about spending cuts, including staffing and contract towers. According to a story at AOPA.org, the legislation allows the Department of Transportation to move $253 million to the FAA’s operations account. […]
Make your voice heard on new airmen certification standard
What will become of the Practical Test Standards? That’s the question officials at Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) are asking. Over the past several months, ASA has been participating on the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group, which resulted from the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) conducted in 2011. One […]
NTSB chair recognizes EAA efforts
National Transportation Safety Board chairman Deborah Hersman recognized the Experimental Aircraft Association for its efforts to improve aviation safety and exceeding recommendations in regards to amateur-built aircraft safety. Read the full EAA report here.
New rules will spur innovation
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany — During AERO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President Pete Bunce praised EASA and the FAA for their efforts to put into place the CS-23/Part 23 Reorganization, which would regulate the safety of GA aircraft based on requirements based on the complexity and performance of the airplane, rather than on existing arbitrary divisions […]
King Schools releases free non-towered operations course
Pilots facing the closure of towers at familiar airports will now have some free help from King Schools. John and Martha King have released a free online non-towered airport operations course that takes customers through the paces of arrival and departure from airports without an operating control tower, and shows how to use skillful communication, […]
SAFECON prepares for takeoff
SAFECON 2013, organized by The Ohio State University and the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA), is set to take off May 6 in Columbus, Ohio. SAFECON, the annual NIFA Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference held at The Ohio State University Airport, is a national competition that brings together more than 300 students from 30 colleges […]
Poor fuel management by Piper pilots
Aircraft: Piper Tomahawk. Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor. Location: Manville, N.J. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The pilot, accompanied by his pilot-rated son, departed on a flight to practice instrument approaches at three different airports. The practice approaches flown by the father were uneventful. The airplane was drawing from the right fuel tank during […]