News

For more than a century, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) has inspired collegiate aviators to strive for excellence through competition. NIFA’s history stretches back to post-World War I, when collegiate flying clubs organized their first intercollegiate competition in 1920. Some of the current coaches and judges had their own experience with the annual Safety […]

When shopping for an aircraft, pilots typically analyze costs and benefits, and run through numerous checklists to determine which models best suit their needs. Some even consider the resale value of the airplane they plan to buy, especially if they expect to use it for building time toward advanced ratings or as a stepping stone […]

A hilarious meme a few years back was an airport sign board that read, “When one door closes, another one opens. Other than that, it’s a pretty good Cessna.” It’s funny because it’s true. Airplane doors were not there at the inception. The first planes didn’t need no stinking pilot enclosures and, hence, didn’t need […]

If you are planning to fly yourself to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture this year, you better start reading. The notice to air missions (NOTAM) that provides guidance for arrivals and departures to Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been released. During the annual convention, the control tower at KOSH becomes the […]

For more than a century, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) has inspired collegiate aviators to strive for excellence through competition. If you have ever participated in a NIFA event, you know the value of this competitive series goes well beyond the test of one’s skills. Its gatherings are an invaluable opportunity to network, learn, […]

The annual Valdez Fly-In & Air Show presented by CubCrafters took place May 12-14 at Pioneer Field, Valdez Airport (KVDZ), featuring a beach landing fly-out, balloon bust, flour bombing, aerobatics demonstration and pilot roundtable. But it is heralded most for hosting the world famous Valdez short takeoff and landing (STOL) competition. Pioneer Field is tucked away in […]

The Wings Over Washington Air Show is back—with a diversion. This year the event will be held at Bremerton National Airport (KWPT). In previous years the event was held at Tacoma Narrows Airport (KTIW) in Gig Harbor some 15 miles to the southeast of Bremerton. The annual event used to be held on July 4 […]

At a hangar on the Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF), in Virginia, Electra.aero has been quietly working at its core mission: to prove the application of blown-lift technology in a piloted aircraft. Electra.aero unveiled the eSTOL (electric short takeoff and landing) demonstrator at a special ceremony at 5 p.m. EDT Monday to present the concept and […]

Days after the House introduced a sweeping bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill, the Senate Commerce Committee released its own version of the legislation on June 12. Known as the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023, the bill would authorize more than $107 billion in appropriations for the FAA until 2028. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member […]

Given the dozens of forest fires burning out of control in southeastern Canada, mainly in Quebec and Nova Scotia, I have received many inquiries from my followers about how to deal with smoke from an aviation perspective. First and foremost, smoke can present a hazard to all pilots, but especially those flying under VFR. Smoke […]