It’s an iconic airplane that is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. About 17,500 Bonanzas have been produced over the past seven decades, with production still continuing, but at a much lower rate. In 2016, 25 Bonanzas were produced by Textron Aviation, which bought the Beechcraft brand in 2014. The Bonanza is also a plane […]
Pilots
The Doctor Killer
While the Beechcraft Bonanza has a loyal following, it also has an infamous moniker: The Doctor Killer. It gained that name decades ago following a spate of high-profile crashes, with many of the pilot doctors. In fact, that spate of accidents was part of the reason for the creation of the Beechcraft Pilot Proficiency Program […]
Beech homecoming
As the Bonanza celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, there’s another big celebration in the works: The 50th anniversary of the American Bonanza Society (ABS). ABS officials are planning an “epic” event in September to commemorate the Golden Anniversary in — where else? — Wichita, where the Bonanza was born seven decades ago. “We call […]
VMC Clubs introduced
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — Non-instrument rated pilots who want to improve their skills and knowledge now have a new resource through the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as VMC Club programs and content are now available as to members. VMC Club is based on the IMC Club, which is now a part of EAA. […]
Should there be a mandatory retirement age for GA pilots?
While airline pilots have to retire at 65, there’s no mandatory retirement age for general aviation pilots. A new story in Air & Space magazine asks the question: Can you be too old to fly? According to the FAA’s Active Civil Airmen Statistics, in 2016 there were about 41,600 pilots over 70 with an active […]
Cool story, Bro
By JEB BURNSIDE. Any time two or more pilots get together, no matter the reason, the conversation eventually turns to flying. Even if one of them just got married, they’ll at least ask each other how their flight in went, and where they’re headed next. In fact, the only real exception to this rule is […]
New England Flying Gourmet Challenge takes off
The airport restaurant is to general aviation what the yacht club is to sailing, or the country club is to golf — a gathering spot for friendship and conversation. It is a place for a cup of coffee, a piece of pie or a pancake breakfast with a few fellow pilots to discuss your last landing, or […]
Fly Safe: Developing your personal minimums
As part of an ongoing campaign by the FAA and the GA community’s #FlySafe campaign to prevent Loss of Control accidents and save lives, each month the FAA focuses on best practices for GA pilots. This month’s focus: Personal minimums and how to integrate these safety measures in your flight planning. Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) is a […]
Lightsport Man overcomes obstacles to take flight
You’ve heard the idiom “the sky’s the limit.” Well, for Johnathan Smith, this phrase has, indeed, been taken literally. Smith, 47, heard all his life that, because of his stuttering, he would never be able to accomplish his dream of becoming a pilot. However, he proved everyone who said that wrong. “I was born with […]