More than a plane

Roger Starr’s Fairchild is the reason he gets up in the morning

There are some airplanes that you don’t acquire and fly — you have a relationship with them. That’s how Roger Starr of Canby, Oregon, describes his “ownership” of his 1946 Fairchild 24W-46.

“With the exception of my wife, it’s the reason I get up in the morning,” he explained [Read more...]

Solo times two at Sporty’s Academy

Two brothers, each enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot program, soloed within one hour of each other at Sporty’s Academy last week.

[Read more...]

Microsoft embraces LSAs

Microsoft recently announced the return of Flight Simulator, once one of the best-selling games on computers. Well, in truth, it’s no longer called Flight Simulator, rather simply “Flight.”

In 2009 Microsoft abruptly dropped Flight Sim, leaving only the techy X-Plane for digital joystick jockeys. It’s way above my pay grade to understand why the Microsoft billionaires dropped a good seller but, who cares? It’s back with one Great Big Surprise: The iconic Icon A5 LSA seaplane is the default aircraft and shows even titanic Microsoft sees where the action is in aviation. The other two aircraft coming with Flight are an RV-6 and a Boeing Stearman, a significant change from the Cessna 172 or bizjet of Flight Sim.

[Read more...]

Fracking, Bakken, Marcellus and GA

Some of the best energy news in recent years is the discovery of massive oil and gas reserves in the Bakken and Marcellus fields, among others. Thanks to advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), deposits once thought unprofitable have now created an economic boom in Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and other places where it is being used. In the long term, this can only lead to greater reserves, lower world prices for crude oil, and lower prices for aviation fuel.

In the short term however, airport managers in these regions are reporting brisk business.

[Read more...]

Residential Through The Fence protection in FAA bill

After three and a half years of hard work by many Residential Through The Fence (rTTF) advocates, H.R. 658, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act containing language preserving rTTF, has passed the House and Senate and sent to President Obama for his expected signature.

[Read more...]

AOPA boss warns House committee of threats to GPS

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller offered recommendations on new protections needed to preserve GPS’s critical role in the national airspace system in testimony today before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s aviation subcommittee hearing.

[Read more...]

Tuskegee Airmen to visit Fantasy of Flight

Fantasy of Flight is celebrating National Black History month this month by kicking off its Fourth Annual Legends & Legacies Symposium Series with a visit from famed World War II heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen, as well as a student essay contest honoring the aviators’ leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination (LEAD).

[Read more...]

New book captures the history of Louisiana aviation

With more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, pilot and freelance writer Vincent P. Caire chronicles Louisiana’s history of flight in nearly 200 vintage and contemporary photographs, many never-before published. Photos of early aviation pioneer John Moisant, air racing champion General James Doolittle, barnstormer Roscoe Turner, aircraft designer James Wedell, and founder of Delta Airlines C. E. Woolman reflect Louisiana’s zeal for aeronautics.

[Read more...]

IMC Clubs begins new weekly Internet radio program

In addition to its “Plane Talk” on IMC Radio, IMC Club has opened another broadcast channel: IMC Radio 5. IMC Radio 5, designed as a weekly platform for leaders in general aviation, began its first weekly episode on Feb. 7 with Jason Blair, executive director of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI).

[Read more...]

Air Zoo to host presentation on Tuskegee Airmen

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—In honor of Black History Month, the Air Zoo is holding a special presentation about the Tuskegee Airmen on Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

[Read more...]