Recently the National Transportation Safety Board released a report on the May 2014 crash of a Cessna 150 in Watkins, Colo., that was attributed to the pilot being distracted by taking selfies. How many people heard about this crash and thought to themselves, “It was only a matter of time before this contributed to a […]
Touch & Go
1,000 pilots x $20 = 3 new pilots
We don’t need to attract every kid, just the next kid… or three. Seventeen-year-old Ella, 16-year-old Jonathan and 15-year-old Benjamin Robbins are passionate about aviation. The homeschooled trio from Ferndale, Wash., have been designing and building their own radio-controlled aircraft for several years. A family friend took each of the kids for a ride in […]
If these bomber jackets could talk…
Cdr. Leroy Robinson, a World War II naval aviator, flew in the Pacific Theatre and is a confirmed “Ace.” He also flew in the Korean Conflict and had a 32-year career at Delta Air Lines. In failing health now, most of his time is spent in his Civil War-era Tignall, Georgia, farmhouse. Stories like this, and more, […]
FAA finds research partner, seeks perps
The FAA is behind the power curve – big time – when it comes to the nascent (and rapidly growing) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) industry. On Jan. 12 CNN announced a research agreement with the FAA to “to advance efforts to integrate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into newsgathering and reporting.” As a distant cousin to […]
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For those who love commenting on this website’s content, we have switched the comment section to the Facebook platform. The section will work the same, but now you’ll need a Facebook account to comment. Why make this change? Since early 2009, nearly 18,000 comments have been approved to appear on this website. Many thousands more […]
What time it isn’t
In 1998 Charles Spence – our beloved Capital Comments columnist – was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the National Business Aviation Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. We played a part in making sure Charlie (as we call him) and his lovely wife Majel could be on hand to accept the awards […]
Reduce, reuse, recycle… hangars in this case
The great state of California reduced the number of general aviation airports in 2014 by at least one. Specifically, Rialto Municipal (L67) was shut down on Sept. 18 to make way for a 1,439-acre residential and business center. (I know, but don’t get me started…) From the ashes of L67, nearby Flabob Airport (RIR) will reuse […]
Book: The Day I Learned To Fly
Do you remember being a kid? Do you remember running all over the neighborhood until you heard the faint voice of your mother calling you home? I sure do… When I opened Jeffrey Kennon’s book, “The Day I Learned To Fly” and started to read, those long summer days of yesteryear came flooding back. Jeff […]
BoldMethod: The life of a 20-year-old banner tow pilot
“Haley Howard is a CFI and banner pilot from Gulf Shores, Alabama. At only 20 years old, she’s already well on her way with 1,350 hours of flight time… not to mention her CSEL (Commercial – Single Engine Land), CSES (Commercial – Single Engine Seaplane), Tailwheel Endorsement, CFI-A (Certified Flight Instructor), and Instrument Rating,” reports […]