Three people taking part in a Young Eagles rally in Washington State died Oct. 15 in the crash of a Piper Cherokee. It was the first fatal accident in the 13-year history of the Young Eagles program. Pilot David Hokanson, Kandyce Cowart, 14, and Brittany Boatright, 15, were killed shortly after takeoff from Snohomish County […]
Daley to dig up the dead
How would you feel if your city government wanted to dig up and relocate the graves of your loved ones to expand an airport? The congregation of St. John’s Church of Christ in Chicago is taking a dim view of the idea. The church has gone to court to keep O’Hare International Airport (ORD) from […]
Repairs continue at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Although the airport has been open for commercial operations more than a month, officials say it will take years to repair the damage done by Hurricane Katrina at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). “The airport still has a lot of repairs to do,” notes Michelle Duffourc, public relations manager. “Everything has been made […]
‘Dago Red’ still for sale
Although more than 40 people put in bids when “Dago Red,” the word’s fastest P-51 Mustang, was auctioned on eBay, no one wanted it enough to meet the $1.5 million reserve price. The plane, a perennial favorite on the air race circuit, was put up for auction Oct. 10. Bids were accepted for 10 days. […]
SkyStar files for bankruptcy
SkyStar Aircraft Corp., manufacturer of the popular Kitfox aircraft kit, filed for bankruptcy Oct. 14. According to Skystar’s attorney, David Kras, the kit maker had been struggling financially since Sept. 11, 2001. “The doors are locked and the bankruptcy trustee has the key,” he said, adding it would be at least 90 days before the […]
Eclipse to launch national tour
Eclipse Aviation is embarking on its first national tour to showcase the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ). The first leg of the tour, slated for November, will cover seven cities from Tampa, Fla., to San Antonio, Texas. Meanwhile, Eclipse has chosen Albany International Airport in New York as the site of its Northeast Factory […]
GA returned to DCA Oct. 18, sort of
GA returned to Reagan National Airport (DCA) Oct. 18 for the first time since Sept. 11, 2001. The first flight was operated by New World Jet Corp., the first Part 135 operator approved by the TSA for access into DCA. While GA is allowed access to DCA again, flying there requires operators to jump through […]
Wilma wallops Florida
Airports across South Florida were damaged when Hurricane Wilma came ashore in late October. As this issue was going to press, damage reports were still coming in. At Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP) single and twin engine aircraft that had been torn from their tie-down areas littered the ramp like broken toys. “We have about 15 […]
Class in session: Wathen Aviation High School
When you were in high school, were you one of those kids who preferred to draw airplanes rather than read a textbook? Although you may have earned detention for that, students at the newly created Wathen Aviation High School in Riverside, Calif., may be encouraged to do it. The school opened Sept. 6 with an […]