As I write this, Seattle is in the midst of a record-breaking rain spell. It has rained for 28 days straight. The record is 33 days. Some Pacific Northwest residents have a perverse desire to break that record. I’d just as soon see the sun again. The cold and gray weather is tedious. I think […]
Free admission, bigger venue for 2006 Northwest Aviation Conference
Free admission and a new exhibit hall are just a few of the changes visitors will find at the 2006 Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show. The show takes place Feb. 25-26 at the Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Wash. “You can thank some of our sponsors, namely Weather Works, Air BP, the Aircraft Owners and […]
The Cub that saved Smokey
Reunions are a part of EAA AirVenture. Meeting up with an old friend is part of the experience. It’s especially sweet when that old friend is an airplane. Justin Moore, a General Aviation News photographer, and I just happened to wander into the vintage aircraft camping area when one of those reunions was taking place. […]
“Flight from Fear”: A novel look at the WASP
It has been 60 years since World War II ended, yet some people still believe the only women to have contact with military aircraft were the “Janes that built the planes” and Rosie the Riveter. Author Sarah Byrn Rickman is helping educate these people through her books about women who flew for Uncle Sam during […]
Sopwith Camel shunned by bidders
The Sopwith Camel is perhaps the most famous Allied airplane of World War I. During the war approximately 5,490 of them were built, yet less than half a dozen still exist. Only one is airworthy and it recently went up for sale on eBay. The California-based seller proudly noted that the plane is an authentic […]
Wild horses – Cessna’s Mustang gallops towards certification
Several companies competing for the personal jet market are turning the downwind leg toward certification. One of those is Cessna, known for its piston-powered trainers and Citation business jets. In 2002 the company announced it was entering the Very Light Jet race with the Citation Mustang. The road to certification is often filled with challenges […]
The Year of the Sport Pilot
2005 was “The Year of the Light Sport Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Certificate.” The LSA rule was approved in September 2004 and by April 2005 FAA certification of aircraft was well under way. Among the first to get the nod were European imports qualifying as Special-LSAs, ready to fly models that can used for […]
Legend Aircraft expanding
Construction is underway at American Legend Aircraft Co. in Sulphur Springs, Texas, to house the company’s expanding business. Based at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport (KSLR), American Legend is building a 20,000-square-foot hangar to house manufacturing, assembly, and research and development functions. Also in the works is a 5,000-square-foot hangar for sales and marketing. The company, […]
Potomac Airfield to reopen by Christmas
Pilots based at Potomac Airfield (VKX) in Maryland may have their airport open again by Christmas. The Transportation Security Administration closed the airport in early November, after federal officials said it was not complying with security measures adopted for all three airports in the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Potomac Airfield Manager David […]