New weather features include Future Radar, freezing levels, surface visibility, and more.
General Aviation
Mooney’s test flight goes awry
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with the runway’s precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights.
Picture of the Day: Stormy skies await
Jerry Strazz submitted this photo and note: “Stormy skies await this Piper in sunburst new paint — new paint for an old bird.”
Ask Paul: What could cause this to happen?
If you look closely at the photo, you’ll notice that the exhaust valve pushrod shroud tube on the right is bent severely and has fractured the pushrod shroud tube. The intake pushrod shroud tube is also bent, but you’ll also notice that this has caused much more serious damage because it has cracked the tappet boss on the crankcase, which means the crankcase will either need serious repair work completed at an FAA-approved facility or a complete replacement.
Plane Pull raises money for Make-A-Wish
Teams pulling a 737 raised $20,000 for the non-profit.
Duncan Aviation at KBTL approved as FAA testing center
The new testing center at Duncan Aviation’s location at Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field (KBTL) in Michigan offers tests for pilots, mechanics, flight instructors, and more.
Nominations open for Flying Musicians scholarship
The program offers a flight training scholarship that sponsors students through their first solo flight, approximately 15 hours of dual flight time.
Seized piston leads to total loss of engine power in plane not flown in 10 years
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to a seized piston in the power take-off cylinder.
Picture of the Day: Flying over Patagonia
Art Danley submitted this photo and note: “While touring the Bariloche area in Patagonia, Argentina, I met the owner of a pristine 1961 Cessna 172 who took us for one-hour ride in one of the most spectacular regions on the planet, including Nahuel Huapi Lake. I’m a retired TWA/AAL pilot. Long-time and current light plane owner and CFII.”