Flight4Lives: Couple fly from Cape Cod to Cape Horn to raise awareness of organ donation

Just a few years ago, Chris McLaughlin wasn’t sure whether he was going to live or not. Just a few weeks ago, he and his wife, Corrine, launched on an epic journey, flying from Cape Cod to Cape Horn in their Cessna Skyhawk.

The flight, dubbed Flight4Lives, is designed to raise awareness of about organ transplants.

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The crazy man of the air: C.K. Hamilton wows crowds in 1910

Aviation burst upon the American public in 1910 through a frenzy of air meets, contests, daring flights and maneuvers. Over the year, 100 regularly organized meets and exhibitions were held. New records were set and broken almost every week. During that one year, the art of aviation made such extraordinary advances that there are few comparisons in the history of technology.

Aviators became heroes, and the top heroes changed constantly. Cosmopolitan magazine called the new birdmen “Wizards of the Air” for their daring do. One of the most active and daring pilots was Charles K. Hamilton, who in 1910 became famous for thrilling the crowds. During the year Hamilton would appear in events from coast-to-coast, along the way setting records.

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AOPA launches effort to boost flight training excellence

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig L. Fuller recently unveiled a new initiative designed to encourage best practices and recognize flight training providers who put those practices to work every day through the AOPA Flight Training Excellence Awards.

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2011 ends on high note for Smyrna Air Center

Tennessee’s Smyrna Air Center is reporting that 2011 was a record year for sales and service, milestones and noteworthy accomplishments.

“After seeing a stagnated 2010 with a soft market, our goals for 2011 were exceeded in dramatic fashion,” said Vice President and General Manager Neal Ropp. “We encountered growth in fuel sales by several hundred thousand gallons [Read more...]

Winner of Roy Clark’s Tripacer named

On Dec. 17 at Wings of Hope’s global headquarters, Larry Farr, from Knoxville, Tenn., became the lucky winner of a vintage, mint-condition Piper Tripacer. This is no ordinary airplane. Built in 1953, the single-engine Piper’s previous owner was Grammy-winning country music legend Roy Clark, who purchased it new nearly 60 years ago.

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Ask Paul: Why is my spark plug oil-fouled?

Q: I have been noticing an intermittent miss on the left mag during mag checks on the O-235L2C in my 1981 Cessna 152 (about 670 SMOH that included new Lycoming cylinders and pistons). About 30 hours ago when I cleaned, regapped, and rotated the plugs, I found that the lower plug on the #4 cylinder was filled with oil around the inner electrode and ceramic insulator. [Read more...]

Barefoot Bandit compares himself to Wright brothers

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that in a series of emails sent from jail, the “Barefoot Bandit,” Colton Harris-Moore, compares his flying prowess to Wilbur and Orville Wright: “The things I have done as far as flying and airplanes goes, is amazing. Nobody on this planet [could] have done what I have, except for the Wright brothers,” Harris-Moore said in a private email, monitored by authorities, last August from the federal detention center in Seattle. “I am confident that anyone else would have died — you can’t just jump in an airplane and fly at night or through weather, you HAVE to be instrument-rated, but I wasn’t and actually taught myself how to fly instrument, which is inconceivable to most pilots and ALL instructors.” Read more here.

Clay Lacy to receive Howard Hughes Memorial Award

Distinguished as one of the most versatile pilots in the history of powered flight, aviation icon Clay Lacy will be honored by the Aero Club of Southern California with its prestigious Howard Hughes Memorial Award on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Famed test and aerobatic pilot Bob Hoover will present the award in recognition of Lacy’s achievements spanning over six decades.

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Hawker Beechcraft Quick Response Team set for major events

Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS)’s Quick Response Team will provide on-site technical expertise and immediate support to owners at popular business, political, sporting and lifestyle events across the globe, including next month’s Super Bowl and the Daytona 500.

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Phillips 66 Aviation launches mobile app

Phillips 66 Aviation, the largest branded dealer network in general aviation, has launched a WingPoints Rewards With Altitude mobile app, giving pilots access to their WingPoints accounts, along with an airport dealer locator.

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