The Wichita Aero Club has selected Spirit AeroSystems and its chief executive officer Jeff Turner as the recipients of the 2011 Wichita Aero Club Trophy. Spirit and Turner were selected by the Selection Committee from seven nominees. The WAC Trophy will be presented at the Wichita Aero Club’s second annual Trophy Gala at the Wichita […]
Thompson joins Sun ’n Fun
Irene Thompson has been named Director of Sales & Special Events for Sun ’n Fun Fly-In, Inc. and its Florida Air Museum. In making the announcement, Sun ’n Fun President John Leenhouts said he “was very impressed with Thompson’s extensive and varied experiences, including the planning and production of high level events and visits while […]
Cessna crashes in fog
This December 2009 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: Cessna 310. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Alva, Okla. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: Prior to departing on a night, instrument cross-country flight, the […]
Meet the new president of Sun ’n Fun
Just a few months ago, John “Lites” Leenhouts was thinking about retirement. “My life was set,” the 27-year Navy veteran said. “I was going to retire after 10 years at Northrup-Grumman and we knew exactly what we were going to do.” He and his wife Nancy had built a good life in Jacksonville, Florida, during […]
Who should be the next FAA administrator?
Just days after FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt’s resignation, rumors were abounding on the Internet about possible successors. Some people mentioned that Capt. Chelsey “Sulley” Sullenberger, pilot of the Miracle on the Hudson flight, would make a good choice. When we mentioned this on Facebook, the responses were fast and furious. “Sully might be a good […]
Pipistrel introduces Alpha trainer
Pipistrel, the Slovenia company that has won the NASA CAFE Efficiency Challenge three years in a row, is now developing the Alpha Trainer, aimed squarely at flight schools. The Alpha, based on the company’s Virus SW (pictured), will sport a price tag of about $83,000 (US), fully equipped. “The name ‘Pipistrel Alpha Trainer’ describes the […]
Fascinated by helicopters?
Sporty’s has released a new app, “So You Want to Fly Helicopters” for iPad and iPhone. The app contains over 90 minutes of 3D animations and in-flight video from the team at Sporty’s Academy. It also includes the complete FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, the Helicopter Practical Test Standards, two advisory circulars and a 30-question review […]
Sonex workshops hits milestone
Sonex Aircraft will achieve a milestone in 2012, holding its 50th Sonex Builder Workshop on the weekend of Jan. 28-29. This milestone comes in the kit aircraft and engine company’s 14th year of business, which has held three to four workshops a year since 1998. The Sonex Workshop, held at the Sonex factory in Oshkosh, […]
Construction on new hangar project at SUS begins
Aviation Development Group of Denver has begun construction of the first building in a multi-phase hangar complex at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) in Chesterfield, Missouri. The project will supply a mix of corporate and executive box hangars designed to accommodate everything from single-engine piston aircraft to mid-size corporate jets. Each hangar will include […]