In Peak Performance: Flying the Fire Boss, the Air Safety Institute’s Richard McSpadden rides along to see how firefighting pilots safely scoop 800 gallons of water out of a lake in 15 seconds, and then release the roughly 6,600-pound load in less than two seconds to douse fires — and then he tries it and sees how hard it really is.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Video provides early analysis of Florida fatal accident
According to a preliminary NTSB report, the airplane took off over dark water with no discernable horizon, then began a shallow climb and a right turn. “It seems possible that this is a classic spatial disorientation accident due to somatogravic illusion, triggered by accelerating in situations without good visual references,” AOPA officials said.
GA advocates, safety experts honored at Bob Hoover Trophy reception
Lawmakers, safety experts, general aviation advocates, and one of the industry’s biggest companies were recently honored with awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
New video series focuses on IFR flying
The AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released two videos in its Beyond Proficient: IFR Series. “Whether you’re instrument-rated or recently enrolled in instrument training, the videos offer tips and tricks to master complex instrument flying aspects,” officials said.
GA advocates successfully fight Washington bill that would have banned 100LL
The original bill, WA HB1554, introduced in January 2023, called for the phased-in restriction on the “selling, distributing, or otherwise making available to consumers” leaded avgas in Washington state starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Video provides early analysis of Winter Haven mid-air collision
On March 7, 2023, a Piper Warrior and a Piper J-3 Cub on floats collided over Lake Hartridge, just east of Winter Haven Regional Airport (KGIF) in Winter Haven, Florida. Sadly, all four people on board the airplanes perished in the accident.
AOPA high school initiative wins FAA grant
The AOPA Foundation’s $498,000 grant came from the FAA’s Aircraft Pilots Aviation Workforce Development Grants program, designed to “prepare students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators, and support the related professional development of teachers.”
New flying club at KALN
Flight instructors Don Hill and John Harding are forming the flying club, which will have its first meeting March 9, 2023, at St. Louis Regional Airport.
Success is a team sport
It takes a team to get things done. It may take years, but big things can happen if you try, and try, and try again.