“It’s big.” “It’s beautiful!” “What is it?” These are just some of the comments visitors at EAA AirVenture 2006 made when they approached the Norseman UC-64A owned by Forrest Klies from Basin, Montana. The gold and maroon high-wing beauty was parked in the vintage aircraft area amid the rows of Stinsons and Stearmans. The aircraft […]
Anne Morrow Lindbergh: First Lady fo the Air
When the name “Lindbergh” is mentioned most people immediately associate it with Charles Lindbergh, the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic. Most history books give cursory, if any, mention of his round-the-world flights made after the Atlantic crossing and rarely do they mention that his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, accompanied him. Those that […]
The Gift of Flight: Able to Aviation gives wings to the physically disabled
“There’s something about learning to fly that makes you feel as if nothing is impossible. It is a rewarding accomplishment no matter what, but if you are facing some physical challenges, that feeling of accomplishment is increased,” says James Kaler, president and founder of Able to Aviation. “Flying gives you a whole new perspective.” And […]
Columbia delivers 500th plane: Deliveries so far this year surpass all of last year
Last year Sherry Nesbitt Gettinger attended AOPA Expo as a newly minted pilot, garnering the event’s “Newest Pilot Award.” With the ink still wet on her ticket, she had every intention of buying a Cessna 182. But what a difference a year makes. Now instrument rated, Gettinger, of Asheville, N.C., took delivery of a new […]
‘Texas Raiders’ finally gets a hangar of its own: B-17 could be back in the air by next summer
Being on a waiting list for hangar space doesn’t do your aircraft any good while it’s sitting out on the ramp exposed to the elements. Finding indoor space is particularly difficult when your airplane is 75 feet long and has a 103-foot wingspan. Members of the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force know […]
EADS pulls plug on Wilga
For several years officials at Sealand Aviation have been working toward developing a North American market for the Polish-built Wilga Aircraft. A monkey wrench was thrown into the works last month, says Sealand Aviation President Bill Alder, when the factory, EADS/PZL, and parent company CASA, decided to cancel production of the PZL 104MA Wilga 2000. […]
Cessna’s LSA and NGP grab lots of attention at Expo
This year was a busy one for the Cessna Aircraft Co. and it doesn’t look like 2007 will bring any kind of slowdown. During AOPA Expo in Palm Springs last month, Cessna President and CEO Jack Pelton outlined some of the milestones the aircraft manufacturer hit in 2006, as well as plans for the upcoming […]
Bowerman Field on endangered airports list: Washington’s Port of Grays Harbor wants out of the airport game
Is there a difference between making plans to close an airport and asking the FAA to release a sponsor from the covenants on its deed? That’s what the users of Bowerman Field (HQM) in Hoquiam, Wash., want to know. Last month the news that the Port of Grays Harbor was seeking a way to be […]
A Warhawk Resurrection: Warhawks Inc. makes grand debut with award-winning P-40
Aircraft restoration is very much a niche market. One of the newest shops to open is also geared to one of the most beloved warbirds. Warhawks Inc., in Granite Falls, Minn., is dedicated to the restoration of Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. The company made its debut on the warbird scene at EAA AirVenture this summer with […]