All Entries in the "News" Category
Airshow Pilot Killed
A West Virginia Air National Guard pilot who was the former governor's personal pilot was killed Dec. 22 while getting his airshow recertification certificate.
Lt. Col. Michael S. Lakin, 42, of Charleston was pronounced dead at a hospital near Marysville, Ohio after his Super Decathlon crashed about 25 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio. He had just [...]
New FAA Terminology Announced
The FAA has begun using new phraseology to warn pilots of potential risks associated with runways shortened due to construction.
When a runway has been temporarily or permanently shortened, the words "WARNING" and "SHORTENED" will be communicated.
These new cautions are issued in Automatic Terminal Information (ATIS) messages as well as departure and landing clearances [...]
Rutan And Allen To Build World’s Largest Plane
It wasn't enough that they won the Ansari X prize, or that they going to start hauling rich folks to the edge of space, now Paul Allen and Burt Rutan have formed a new venture to carry cargo and people into orbit.
To do it, Allen and Rutan have announced they're building a gigantic new plane [...]
FAA Administrator Busted, Resigns
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, 65, was arrested on drunk driving charges in suburban Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 3.
He was initially placed on a leave of absence the following Monday but subsequently turned in his resignation.
A patrol officer saw him driving on the wrong side of the street and pulled him over about 10:30 [...]
AOPA/EAA To Seek 3rd Class Med. Exemption
AOPA and the EAA plan to jointly request an exemption to the FARs that would allow many pilots flying the most common single-engine aircraft recreationally to use a driver's license and self-certification medical standard.
A spokesman said the two organizations were responding to member concerns and plan to file the request after the first of the [...]
New Addition At Sun ‘N Fun
A 4,000-square-foot addition to the Florida Air Museum on the grounds of the Sun 'n Fun campus will be unveiled in 2012.
The Lakeland, Fla. addition will be called the Piedmont Hangar Aerospace and Technology Lab and it will house a high-tech computer lab and additional classrooms.
This will enable the museum to enhance [...]
Squash Smashing At Watsonville
By E.R. De La Plant
Special To Pacific Flyer
Luckily, there's no organization called People for the Ethical Treatment of Pumpkins ... yet.
The fun-loving airplane drivers at Watsonville, Calif., aware of the FAA's proscription against dropping things from aerocraft, such as wild turkeys in Yellville, Ark. (PF, Nov. Ô11) or cats, turned to the golden globes again [...]
LA Sups OK Anti Helo Effort
Citing persistent helicopter noise from flights carrying tourists, paparazzi and news reporters, the Los angeles County board of supervisors has voted 4-0 to do something about it.
The supervisors have voted to support a bill by Rep. Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys) called the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act. It would require the FAA to [...]
Yak Pilot Sets Speed Record
Yak pilot Will Whiteside set a three kilometer speed record for his class of 407 mph Oct. 10 during a speed run at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
And beat it the next day.
Whiteside, 40, of Windsor, Calif. and his Reno Air racer "SteadFast" unofficially shattered the previously held three Kilometer speed record by 102 MPH. The [...]
Win A Ride In A P-51
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) has launched a fundraising campaign that offers donors a shot at an introductory flight in the dual-control P-51TF Mustang known as The Little Witch.
Valued at $3,250, the session includes two hours of pre- and post-flight briefings, plus one hour in the aircraft with a Stallion 51 instructor. [...]
