General Aviation News

Early arrival

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Jeffrey Mirsepasy sent in this photo of the Breitling DC-3, which arrived July 22, 2017, at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a few days before the kickoff of AirVenture 2017.

The Oshkosh stop is just one of many as the Breitling DC-3 aims to break the world record as the oldest plane to circumnavigate the globe within seven months. The trip began in Geneva, Switzerland, March 9, 2017, and is slated to finish up at the Breitling Sion airshow in Sion, Switzerland.

The route includes 13 stops in the U.S., starting in Seattle and eventually making its way to New York. [Read more…]

Reporter’s Notebook, AirVenture 2017

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AirVenture 2017 set records in almost every category, with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) reporting 5% more people and planes than last year.

“What an incredible year it was for Oshkosh,” said EAA Chairman Jack Pelton. “From the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Apollo reunion to new aviation innovations on display and two B-29s flying formation as part of 75 years of bombers on parade, it was a week filled with ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments. [Read more…]

Changing horses mid-stream

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Dispatch from KSAF, Santa Fe, New Mexico…three weeks ago: Faces solemn, my mechanics each rest a hand on one of my shoulders. One on my left and one on my right, they gently guide me across the crowded hangar floor, around Race 53, and to the north wall. There — SMACK — they smash my head violently into the wall.

Before I can gasp for breath, they do it again.

And then a third time.

OK. It wasn’t really that dramatic. But the effect was the same.

Yeah, my wrench-turners hosted an intervention over my refusal to accept the reality about the condition of my engine. [Read more…]

Frank Christensen honored on Christen Eagle’s 40th anniversary

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OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — The International Aerobatic Club (IAC) rolled out the red carpet at EAA AirVenture 2017 for aircraft designer, kit manufacturer, and aerobatic pilot Frank Christensen.

The occasion was the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Christen Eagle, an aerobatic aircraft that he designed and manufactured as a competitor to the Pitts Special. [Read more…]