“If the snarl of two dozen roaring warbirds wasn’t enough in the skies over Santa Maria, California, on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at mid-day a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from nearby Vandenberg (Space Force Base) lit up the sky as air show visitors and participants watched in awe,” Fred said.
Restoration of backcountry airstrip in the works
The Recreational Aviation Foundation has received approval from the Bureau of Land Management’s Ukiah Field Office to restore the Walker Ridge Airstrip, located within the Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California.
TBM, Kodiak service network expands
Joining the network are Silver Sky Aviation in Wasilla, Alaska, for the Kodiak and Victory Lane Aviation in North Carolina and Synergy Flight Center in Bloomington, Illinois, for the TBM.
Extreme turbulence bends Cessna 152
Probable Cause: The pilot’s encounter with severe turbulence at night which resulted in an extended downwind and collision with wires during the base turn.
Picture of the Day: Grass field flying
Danny Smith submitted this photo and note: “A 1940 Piper J5A at Boonville Airport (26NC) in North Carolina. It’s a great day to do some grass field flying.”
Video: Planes of Fame air show highlights
Fred Johnsen, the force behind the Airailimages YouTube channel and General Aviation News Of Wings & Things columnist, recently posted a video to YouTube of some of the action at the 2025 Planes of Fame Santa Maria Central Coast Airfest.
Epic Flight Academy gets FAA nod to conduct check rides
“Epic can now set check ride dates and times internally, avoiding delays caused by limited Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) availability,” said Shane Williams, Director of Flight Operations.
New Flight Instructor Refresher Course incorporates MOSAIC changes
“Since the MOSAIC rule was announced in July, AOPA has received questions about it from flight instructors and pilots every day. In our course, we give instructors the information they need to know about this new rule — including certificate requirements, new endorsements they can earn, and the aircraft they will now be able to fly as these changes take effect on Oct. 22.”
No one confesses to hard landing that bent wing on flight club’s plane
Probable Cause: A hard landing that resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s right wing.