Aviation Interest

There is a important difference between critical thinking and being critical. Knowing that difference can be the deciding factor in whether you are successful at affecting change or become an ineffectual aggravating irritant. Now that I have your attention…it will come as no surprise to learn I have a tendency to critique almost every aspect…

Pilot Barbara Goodwin, of Kalamazoo, MI (Michigan 99s) and Co-Pilot Maureen Kenney, Caliente, CA (San Fernando Valley 99s), are participating in the 2013 Women’s Air Race Classic June 18-21, 2013. The race start is Pasco, Washington, 
with the terminus is Fayetteville, Arkansas. Maureen is the only entrant in this year’s RACE from the Greater LA Area, and is involved in aviation as SWS 99s Webmaster, Air Race Classic, Inc. Director, FAAST Team Representative, SoCal area, and a CalPilots Member.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today asked the world’s fuel producers to submit proposals for fuel options that would help the general aviation industry make a transition to an unleaded fuel. The FAA is committed to the development a new unleaded fuel by 2018 that would minimize the impact of replacing 100 octane low-lead fuel for most of the general aviation fleet.

Though for a time it seemed the IRS would hands down win the title of daffiest and most misguided three lettered government agency, the FAA quickly shot up in the rankings last week by demanding the Experimental Aircraft Association pay $500,000 for air traffic controller expenses during its annual AirVenture convention here in Oshkosh.

 EAA leaders, members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation and the aviation community have made a strong case for why the Federal Aviation Administration’s demand is out-of-line and potentially unlawful without explicit Congressional authorization. Thousands of aviators who will make their way to Oshkosh this summer will shell out substantial user fees for fuel and the like to help directly cover the expenses of controllers and other parts of the nation’s air traffic safety system.

The Experimental Aircraft Association, on notice from the FAA to expect a bill for air traffic services at EAA AirVenture this summer, is looking to Congress for relief from the user fees that put “a price tag” on safety.

In a June 3 message, EAA Chairman Jack Pelton told EAA members that it was time to speak out against the FAA’s bid to charge air traffic fees at aviation events. EAA members should urge their U.S. senators to sign a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta “in support of GA and opposed to putting a price tag on GA safety,” he said. The letter is now being circulated among senators.

Column: Pilot is detained for “doing absolutely nothing illegal” – Columnist James Fallows examines the ordeal of private pilot Gabriel Silverstein, who was detained for two hours when he forgot his eyeglass case at an airport in Oklahoma. “Again to put this in perspective for people outside the airplane world, a person who was doing…

Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2013 will mark the 3rd Annual Rocky Mountain Light Sport Aircraft Expo at Front Range Airport. This year’s Expo will have something for everyone. Come take a look at the newest Light Sport Aircraft on the market, a variety of experimental aircraft and the classics of general aviation. Take advantage of seminars and demonstrations on the latest drone technology. We will have exhibitors and seminars to showcase the best and newest aviation technology as well as demo flights and static displays.

Fresno, CA. – At 20 years old, Jack Wiegand is preparing for the flight of his life to break the Guinness World Records™ title, something he has been working toward since his first flight at the age of 13. In May 2013, this record-breaking journey will take him from his home in Fresno, California, to exotic destinations he has dreamed of since childhood. Rome, Egypt, Bangkok and Tokyo are only a few of the locations he will travel to on his flight around the world.

Jack’s journey to make history began on his 13th birthday when he piloted his first introductory glider. On his 14th birthday, he became the youngest pilot in the Central California Soaring Club to solo a glider, and when Jack was 16, he soloed his first single-engine power plane. Now 20 years old, Jack plans to break the Guinness World Records™ title in May 2013 by becoming the youngest person to fly solo around the world.

May 13th-16th – GPS interference testing 24nm south of the Bonneville (UT) VORTAC may result in unreliable or unavailable GPS signals for almost a 400nm radius from the test site at 10,000′ agl. This testing will impact GPS signals in every state in the northwest mountain region, along with several others.

San Diego, CA – Ten Wounded Warriors Get Co-Pilot Experience In The Sim – Wounded Warriors from Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), had the opportunity to experience a helicopter simulator at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3, May 10. The Wyakin Warrior Foundation (WYWF), a nonprofit organization which provides education and professional development to wounded veterans, in conjunction with the San Diego Leadership Forum (SDLF) and HSC-3, invited 10 Wounded Warriors to spend an evening at the HSC-3 helicopter simulation facility.