BOOK REVIEW By J. DOUGLAS HINTON Even for non-military pilots, “The Rescue of Streetcar 304, A Navy Pilot’s Forty Hours on the Run in Laos,” by Kenny Fields is a real page-turner. The scenario is the Vietnam War in 1968. Flying A-7 Corsairs, Naval Aviator Lt. Kenny Fields (call sign: “Streetcar 304”) and his wingman […]
Books
‘Stop the FAA and Save General Aviation’
BOOK REVIEW By DAVE SCLAIR In the many years that I published General Aviation News (under a variety of names), we enjoyed having a variety of individuals write columns for us. One of those columnists was the late Peter Bowers. He did a regular column on historical aircraft for us for many, many years. I […]
Air show pilot Keoki Gray releases collection of short stories
Keoki Gray, pilot and author, has released “Songs of the Archaeopteryx,” stories of aerial adventure and the interesting people drawn to small airplanes, flight training, and aerobatics. The tales are based on Gray’s 30-plus years’ aviating throughout North America. Gray has flown as a glider towplane pilot and flight instructor. He barnstormed as a member […]
Aircraft Inspection and Repair published
“Aircraft Inspection and Repair: Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practice” was recently published. With detailed information on structural inspection, protection, and repair, including aircraft systems, hardware, fuel and engines, and electrical systems, this guide is designed to leave no vital question on inspection and repair unanswered, according to the publishers. Sections include: Wood, fabric, plastic, and […]
Unforgettable flights
Aviation author Lane Wallace has flown hundreds of interesting flights, and in her new book, “Unforgettable: My Best 10 Flights,” she describes her 10 best. From the Swiss Alps to Key West, from the U-2 to a Piper Cub, Wallace brings the reader with her as she recounts the details of each of these unforgettable […]
Pioneering test pilot’s biography published
Just released is “Mentor Inbound: The Authorized Biography of Fred J. Ascani, Major General, USAF Retired: Holder of the 1951 World Speed Record.” In the book, Sheryl Hutchison chronicles Ascani’s life from childhood, to West Point and through his many accomplishments within the field of aviation. Born Alfredo Ascani in Beloit, Wis., in 1917, Ascani […]
Bomber pilot publishes memoirs
Recently published is “Lord Have Mercy” by World War II veteran Gilbert Burns, a compilation of his diary accounts as an dive bomber pilot, beginning in his early years as hes drafted for the war, to his basic training and flight training, and through his over 100 combat missions overseas. As he was growing up, […]
Aviation FUNdamentals published
For many people, the math involved in being a pilot is downright intimidating. Even the textbook can be scary. One way to take the edge off is to make the textbook particularly interesting to aspiring aviators — for instance, by putting an attractive woman in aviator sunglasses and a bikini top on the front cover. […]
Book review: Flying Above the Glass Ceiling
Do you know a young woman who has an interest in aviation but doesn’t know where to start? Maybe she doesn’t want to be a pilot. Perhaps she’d rather be an aeronautical engineer, but is concerned about being “the only girl.” You can tell her she is not alone and then prove it by giving […]