Registration now open for Ohio Airport Conference

Registration is now open for the 2012 Ohio Airport Conference, slated for April 17-18, in Columbus. The conference will provide an opportunity to network with aviation and airport officials from around the state of Ohio. Representatives of the FAA and Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation will also be present. To register, click here.

 

Soft-field take off demonstration goes bad

This March 2010 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: Piper Cherokee. Injuries: None. Location: Phoenix. Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The flight instructor was demonstrating a soft-field takeoff to his student. During the takeoff roll, he applied full back pressure on the yoke, heard the stall horn, and lowered the nose.

[Read more...]

Weep No More

Paul Beck is an expert at stopping leaks in wing tanks

There is no shortage of unusual businesses serving the general aviation industry, but sealing wing tanks for a living must be on everyone’s short list. That’s because it’s so difficult since our tanks are sealed inside the wings and the access ports are made for Cirque du Soleil performers.

[Read more...]

Flying the Allegro

LSA America builds the Czech-designed Allegro in America as one of the first companies (but not the last, I suspect) to cross the Atlantic. Ironically, this results in an aircraft less expensive than other LSAs that come from Eastern European countries where we once thought low wages and high aviation skills would upset U.S. airplane manufacturing. Funny how life works out, and in only six or seven years.

[Read more...]

195 members of House tell president: No $100 fee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The president’s 2013 budget plan to charge $100 per flight to aircraft using controlled airspace was never expected to be adopted and it got another major setback when 195 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent Obama a letter opposing the fee.

[Read more...]

Sun ’n Fun to feature Splash-In again this year

The Sun ’n Fun Splash-In will once again be held at Fantasy of Flight on Lake Agnes in Polk City, Florida.

The Splash-In, an event dedicated to seaplanes and float flying, is held every year as part of the fly-in. A few years ago, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks invited the seaplanes to his facility and it has been there ever since. This year’s Splash-In will be held Thursday, March 29.

[Read more...]

Are you a risk taker?

Whether you’ve logged thousands of hours or recently began learning to fly, the decision-making and risk-management process can sometimes be arduous. While airline pilots consult company guidelines, general aviation pilots are mostly left to their own judgment for go/no-go decisions. Now you can plug your profile and expected fight conditions into the ASI Flight Risk Evaluator and let the application suggest the best course of action. Of course, as pilot in command you’re still in charge of the final go/no-go decision.

Aviation’s roots planted firmly in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s long and colorful aviation history is part of the fabric of the state, and its economic contributions have sustained it through wars and recessions, Gov. Mary Fallin said a conference sponsored by the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and the FAA. In a story in The Tulsa World, Fallin is quoted as saying that Oklahoma’s network of general aviation airports are vital to the state’s air transportation system. “General aviation is the connector. We think general aviation airports are analogous to the state and federal highway system; 97% of Oklahoma’s population lives within 30 minutes of our general aviation business airports. They are essential to moving business or commerce throughout our state.”

NTSB: Action needed on ECi cylinders

The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that the FAA require repetitive inspection of some cylinder assemblies on Teledyne Continental Motors Model 520 and 540 engines not covered by existing airworthiness directives issued following engine failures, according to a report at AOPA.org.

The report quotes the Feb. 24 safety recommendation, noting the NTSB said it wants the FAA to “require repetitive inspection of Engine Components, Inc. cylinder assemblies produced between May 2003 and October 2009 (serial numbers 7709 through 52884) installed on Teledyne Continental Motors model 520 and 550 engines and removal of these cylinder assemblies once they reach the engine manufacturer’s recommended normal time (hours) in service between overhauls.”

Only airworthy B-29 to tour Florida

The world’s only flyable Boeing B-29 Superfortress “FIFI” will tour Florida during the month of March, visiting, Gainesville, Daytona, Titusville, Ft. Lauderdale, Punta Gorda, Lakeland and Tallahassee, officials with the Commemorative Air Force B-29/B-24 Squadron said.

[Read more...]