Textron Aviation has appointed Brian Rohloff as its new president and CEO, effective Aug. 31, 2026. He succeeds Ron Draper, who is retiring after eight years at the helm.
Aircraft
Carburetor Icing Ends Instructional Flight Early
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
Picture of the Day: Keeping The Bad Stuff Away
Rusty Eichorn submitted this photo with a note: “As always, I like the bad stuff to stay across the lake. This was at the Northbound Seaplane Base (5MN6) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.”
Safe Pilot Partnership Offers GA Pilots Discounts For Recurrent Training
5X5 Aviation Insurance has partnered with Sporty’s and PilotWorkshops to launch the Safe Pilot Partnership, a new initiative that allows piston aircraft pilots to lower their annual insurance premiums by completing recurrent training courses and scenario-based workshops.
Flight Instructor Hall of Fame Inducts Max Trescott
The Flight Instructor Hall of Fame has inducted Max Trescott as its 2026 honoree. Recognized for his extensive aviation education contributions and decades of dual instruction, Trescott joins an elite group of aviation educators with a dedication to safe flight.
New App Simplifies Pilot Diversion Decisions
The new Land Now app helps general aviation pilots quickly find nearby airports during deteriorating weather or high-workload emergencies. Designed by a pilot, it streamlines critical diversion decisions when every second counts in the cockpit.
Pilot and Passenger Seriously Injured in Valley Crash
Probable Cause: The airplane’s encounter with gusting winds resulting in a loss of altitude with performance insufficient to outclimb terrain.
Picture of the Day: Ferry Flight
Sparky Barnes submitted this photo and note: “Emma Herrington Crawford, a professional biplane ferry pilot, was ferrying this Waco Classic from Kentucky to Florida when she stopped by McMinn County Airport (KMMI) in Tennessee for fuel. She was clearly having a great time, despite the 93° heat.”
Why Is The Sky Blue?
Accurate knowledge and reliable sources are vital in aviation. From simple childhood questions to complex flight training differences between aircraft like the Cessna 152 and 182, seeking the truth — and admitting what we don’t know — keeps pilots safe in the sky.