Is your airport on the endangered list?
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · Comments
For the past 10 years I have been hearing from readers concerned about their airports. Usually it begins with a phone call from someone who is upset because “they” are trying to close the airport. Sometimes “they” have names. Other times they don’t.
The names and locations of the airports change, but often the issues are the same. And — Meigs Field not withstanding — very rarely do airports close suddenly. Usually there are a lot of warning signs that an airport is endangered.
Many advocacy groups, such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and state aviation associations, have guidelines for protecting airports, but by the time those groups are called in, it may be too late. That means it’s up to airport tenants, pilots and aircraft owners to pick up on the signs that something is coming down the runway, so to speak, and take action.
Realize that the best defense is a good offense, because once the decision has been made to close an airport, there is very little pilots can do. However, if you know what to look for, you can take a proactive approach to protecting your field.
Mogas – going, going, gone in the Pacific Northwest
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · CommentsAnother nail has been driven into the coffin of ethanol free fuel in the Pacific Northwest. Practically all of the gasoline in western Washington and western Oregon comes from four major refineries on the Puget sound north of Seattle. Since Oregon is already a mandatory E10 state due to a state law, we have been receiving mostly suboctane blending product, called BOB, to make our E10 gasoline for more than a year. All of that product, except a small amount that comes in by ocean-going barge, comes down the Olympic pipeline from those four refineries.
Zenith responds to airworthiness freeze
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · Comments
The fatal crash of a homebuilt Zodiac CH-601XL last month has prompted the FAA to freeze the issuance of new airworthiness certificates for the design. The accident was the sixth attributed to an in-flight break up.
The timing of the crash is poignant, as it came one day before the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin concerning aerodynamic flutter that may have been a factor in the accidents.
“There have been too many crashes. We think one crash is too many,” said Sebastien Heintz, president of Zenith Aircraft, which manufactures the kits. His father, Chris Heintz, is the designer of the aircraft. “The frustrating thing is that there is no single cause that was responsible for all the accidents.”
Triple Play for FK
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · CommentsSPLOG By DAN JOHNSON
LSA are nothing if not diverse. We have all manner of aircraft on our list of 104 approved models. Germany’s FK Lightplanes illustrates diversity through its trio of models: The high-wing Fk9 series (pictured above); biplane Fk-12 (pictured below); and low-wing Fk14.
In May, the newest iteration of the Fk9 series was flown by designer Peter Funk. The Fk9 ELA (a reference to European Light Aircraft, a new class EASA is planning) is a stretched, roomier model of the popular series. The changes should play well in the American market.
Aircraft Spruce offers holiday shopping
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · Comments
Aircraft Spruce has a selection of portable GPS, pilot supplies, headsets, avionics, instruments, wheels, tires, oil, filters, books, DVDs, and aviation software — more than 60,000 product relating to aviation for those on your holiday gift lists.
Ironshore enters aviation insurance market
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · CommentsIronshore Specialty Co. is entering the aviation insurance market, according to a report at BusinessInsurance.com.
The story notes that Ironshore will offer coverage to general aviation, airlines, aviation manufacturers, airports, aviation refuelers, FBOs, and corporate aircraft.
Customizable tire gauge set debuts
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · Comments
Tool Testing Lab has introduced a customizable wide-range tire pressure gauge set.
In all applications, tire pressure is important for optimum performance and tread life. This is especially true in aviation, where tires are often critically stressed and where underinflation can cause total failure of the tire or even of the wheel, company officials note.
Shine on with Peek Metal Polish
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · Comments
Peek Metal Polish, which can be used for cleaning and polishing stainless steel, aluminum leading edges and nose cones, is now available at Aircraft Spruce.
The polish also restores tired-looking paint surfaces and removes scratches from Perspex windscreens and helicopter bubbles, Aircraft Spruce officials note. It is available in a 100ml tube, 500g mousse, and a 1000ml can. Pricing starts at $10.95.
For more information: 877-477-7823 or AircraftSpruce.com
Instrument Ground School gets HD makeover
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · Comments
ASA’s Instrument Pilot Virtual Test Prep has been updated. The course includes more than 10 hours of all-new HD video footage on standard definition DVD and high definition Blu-ray Discs. Read More→
Photo flight goes horribly wrong
Posted by · November 23, 2009 · CommentsThis November 2007 accident report 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: Cessna 172. Location: Gladwin, Mich. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: Several friends of the pilot, who had logged 190.9 hours, said he often took aerial photographs during his flights. His logbook documented numerous flights that were undertaken for the express purpose of photographing objects on the ground. Several witnesses on the ground saw the airplane maneuvering at a low altitude. The airplane was in a left turn when it suddenly banked to the right, then left, then plunged nose down into a wooded area.
