News

In the early 1960s, I was on the ramp at Rosecrans Memorial Airport (KSTJ) in St. Joseph, Missouri, when I observed a massive Boeing 707 in TWA colors swoop down onto Runway 36, emit blue smoke from the main gear tires, and roar away into the air instead of braking to a stop. Making a […]

Hartzell Propeller announced on Wednesday its acquisition of WhirlWind Propellers Corporation’s assets, marking a significant expansion into the light sport aircraft sector. Established in 1995, WhirlWind Propellers specializes in manufacturing composite constant-speed and ground-adjustable propellers for various aircraft markets, including light-sport and unmanned vehicles. Hartzell Propeller president JJ Frigge expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, emphasizing […]

Today’s Top Pick provides a unique combination of vintage charm and economical operating costs – a 1946 Ercoupe 415D. Designed in the late 1930s as a safer, more stable alternative to existing taildraggers, the Ercoupe was one of the very first aircraft to incorporate a tricycle landing gear configuration. Additionally, it utilized an interconnected rudder […]

I thought I was prepared for my first EAA AirVenture experience in Wisconsin. By mid-July, I had a dance card filled, with interviews and media events blocked for every one of the seven days I would be in attendance. I had read everything I could about what to pack and wear to stay comfortable walking […]

Oshkosh offers something for every pilot and more than any one person can see. I’ll mention this news briefly as I wish to pay respect to fellow pilots. Two accidents on the weekend after we departed resulted in four fatalities, reportedly including one passenger. My sincere condolences to the surviving families. Oshkosh has enjoyed safe […]

During any gathering of older pilots, often including a few non-practicing certified flight instructors, the current state of pilot training frequently comes up. “Them kids teaching students today don’t know sheep from shingles. Why, they were students themselves a couple of years ago. All they know is to follow a pink line on the screen.” […]

My conflicted relationship with Cape Cod dates to the 1970s when my family spent a series of summer vacations there. Mom and Dad would cram me, my two older sisters, the dog, and all manner of beach toys into the family car and drive for hours upon hours to the Cape in Massachusetts. And, yes, […]

Bad decisions are part of life. In every field, many have made some excruciatingly poor decisions. Our regrets to the publishers who turned down the Harry Potter franchise. And how about the actors that had a chance to be in one of the most popular and profitable movie franchises, Star Wars? Definitely, a dog day […]

The underside of the wing catches the slanting morning light as I watch the world waking below. The limestone ridges light up first, leaving the valleys in deep shadow. Riding the butter-soft air before the thermals stir, I follow the old air routes that lead me across the high plains of the Llano Estacado. The […]

When David McFarlane bought a country airport in middle America for his agricultural application and aircraft repair business back in 1979, he didn’t realize what the surrounding fields would hold 44 years later. Today, McFarlane Aviation Products is a powerhouse supplier of aftermarket and OEM aircraft parts that fill a 35,000-item catalog. Without its support, […]