The AOPA Foundation has unveiled a plan to expand its Hat in the Ring Society and bestow four awards on those in the general aviation industry who have made significant strides in each of the categories. The society, chaired by actor and GA advocate Morgan Freeman and co-chaired by author Stuart Woods, air race pilot […]
General Aviation
Master Pilots honored at Sun ’n Fun
On Friday, March 30, a distinguished group of aviators received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award during a ceremony at the FAA Production Studios on the Sun ’n Fun campus at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport (LAL). The seven recipients, plus their friends and family, packed the room, as FAASTeam Program Manager Jim Minardy hosted the festivities and […]
Aero 454 debuts
Guardian Avionics by CO Guardian has introduced the Aero 454, which receives data from your airplane’s Garmin GPS system (430, 530, 650, 750, G900, or G1000) and transmits it simultaneously to as many three iPad/tablet devices held by pilots or passengers. The new Aero 454, an FAA/TSO certified product, can reference locations, maps, flight plans, […]
King Schools releases two new courses
While at SUN ’n FUN, John and Martha King of King Schools reported they will release an online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) by the end of April. The course follows the latest guidance from the FAA recently released as revision “G” of FAA Advisory Circular 61-83, which specifies more up-to-date topics for flight instructors […]
McCauley now accepting direct orders
McCauley Propeller Systems has begun retail sales, giving customers the option of purchasing propeller products directly from the OEM or through a McCauley Authorized Service Facility. “After analyzing the general aviation market and economic trends, the business decision has been made to alter and expand our current distribution strategy to accept orders directly from any […]
Checkertails slate reunion
The 67th annual reunion of the World War II 325th Fighter Group “Checkertail Clan” will be hosted at the “Wings Over Camarillo” Air Show Aug. 15-19, in Camarillo, Calif. Checkertail veteran pilot Frank Bolek and his daughter, Gayle, were at Sun ’n Fun yesterday visiting the airshow. The Checkertails, a legendary World War II unit with […]
Working together
Aspen Avionics, manufacturer of the Evolution Flight Display for general aviation pilots, and Avidyne report that certification is imminent for the interface between the Avidyne DFC90 Digital Autopilot and the Aspen Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display. Certification is expected in the next 90 days, officials reported at Sun ’n Fun. Initial certifications will be in […]
Bearing failure brings down Beech
This April 2010 accident reports is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Beech Bonanza. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Dayton, Ohio. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The 50-year-old private pilot had just taken off when the […]
The loser in us all
The saying goes, “You can’t win if you don’t play.” That’s true for the most part. But of course the corollary to that expression is, “If you play you will lose — at least sometimes.” That’s the reality of the situation. Get used to it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to dissuade you […]