News

What does it cost to maintain an airplane properly? My answer: it depends. Maintenance varies based on the aircraft’s year, model, and operating mission. There are many schools of thought concerning aircraft maintenance. Because perception is reality, all of them are true for the most part. Here is how I break it down. Preventive maintenance […]

Peter Mastropieri is trying to put his grass strip airport back on the map. “The interesting thing about Keymar Airpark (MD42) is that right now, we are actually not on the sectional chart because there is a Camp David text box over the airport. Hopefully that gets removed in the April revision of the sectionals, […]

Ellis & Associates said it has been issued an supplemental type certificate for installing windows that can be opened on certain aircraft. The STC, which is numbered SA02771LA, covers the modification of an airplane’s doors or fuselage to enable the original fixed windows to be opened. The STC applies to Beechcraft Bonanza 33, 35 and […]

The FAA sent a notice to pilots warning them not to disable terrain avoidance and warning systems (TAWS) aural alerts as the tool can be a critical safety feature in avoiding controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents. The FAA’s warning came as part of an Information for Operators (InFO)—a notice designed to help operators meet certain […]

May 1st, also known as May Day, has several connotations. In some cultures, it is celebrated as the traditional beginning of spring marked by placing baskets of flowers on doorsteps. For pilots, uttering the phrase “MAYDAY” means they’re in trouble—but have you ever wondered why? MAYDAY and PAN-PAN—also used when we’re in trouble—are both derived […]

It can be a challenge to find a watch designed for female aviators specifically. Aviation watches can be large for female wrists and aesthetically unappealing for women’s sensibilities. Abingdon Co. was founded by Abingdon Mullin to help fill this market niche for timepieces.  The company has launched a new watch series, Legends, created to pay […]

From Our Partners at Midwest Model Store Whether you are a pilot, an aviation buff, or just a fan of aviation history, die-cast airplane models offer an excellent way to showcase your love of flight. What Are Die-Cast Airplane Models? Simply put, they are highly detailed and accurate replicas of real airplanes that are made of […]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a letter urging the FAA to develop and implement new airspace regulations for Ketchikan, Alaska, a popular air tour area. The proposed framework of regulations would be, according to the NTSB release, “…specific to Ketchikan to require more conservative flight visibility minimums and enhanced weather training for air […]

The flight instructor is the first gatekeeper when it comes to aviation safety. It is incumbent on the CFI to teach and model good habits for mitigating risk—and you can’t do that without understanding where the risk is coming from, and when and where during the flight training process we are at a higher risk […]

Spring is the most fickle season when it comes to weather in the Pacific Northwest. One day it is unseasonably warm, with temps in the 80s, ,and people are wearing short pants and polo shirts. The next day the temperature is in the 30s, and light snow is falling or there is a hail shower. […]