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.
Pilots
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.
Modern Skies Act Proposes $30 Billion More for ATC
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt has introduced the Modern Skies Act, proposing a $30 billion investment to modernize the nation’s air traffic control and airport infrastructure. This would follow on the $12.5 billion Congress has already approved for the modernization efforts.
FAA Certifies Garmin Autoland on Epic E1000 AX
Epic Aircraft has received FAA certification for the Garmin Autoland system on its newest E1000 AX turboprop. Autoland empowers passengers to safely land the aircraft with the push of a button should the pilot become incapacitated mid-flight.
New Prop STC’d for Air Tractors
MT-Propeller has received an EASA STC approval for its 4-blade AVIA propeller on multiple Air Tractor AT models. FAA STC approval is in progress.
Improper Fuel System Maintenance Leads to Engine Failure
Probable Cause: A loss of engine power that resulted from improper fuel system maintenance and the subsequent fuel starvation due to the leaking fuel pump outlet fuel line.