Aviation Interest

A research agency is conducting a survey for the FAA and the Airport Cooperative Research Program on pilot experience with solar energy facilities at airports. Airports with these facilities include Bagdad, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, and Ernest A. Love Field in Arizona; Meadows Field, Bob Hope, Fresno Yosemite International, Long Beach, Metropolitan Oakland International, Redding…

This is a great idea from Jamie Becket of General Aviation News. It’s easy and doesn’t cost much. Check it out.

Pilot’s Family Said Structure Was Purposely Designed To Avoid FAA Visibility Requirements – Ag pilot Stephen Allen was fatally injured in January, 2011, after his airplane struck a 198-foot-tall meteorological tower that, according to the NTSB’s probable cause report, he likely did not see. His family has filed suit against the tower’s builders, saying it was purposely designed to avoid FAA visibility requirements.

U.S. regulators should begin closing some air-traffic facilities during slow periods late at night, the chairman of the House aviation subcommittee said.

 Representative Tom Petri, a Wisconsin Republican, said in an interview yesterday that fellow members of Congress — who have at times blocked cost-saving efforts — need to let the Federal Aviation Administration shut underutilized air-control towers and radar rooms.

On Friday November 9, 2012 the Aero Club of Northern California will be honoring Air Show pilot Julie Clark; as well as raising money for S.F. Bay Area aviation program student scholarships.

Here is an idea for all of us. Set a Google Alert for your airport. That way, when your airport name is mentioned in the media/web/etc, you will receive a notification. This is an excellent way to stay informed and make sure you don’t miss meetings in which your airport is discussed!https://support.google.com/alerts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=175925 CalPilots Editor’s Note:…

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty to pointing a laser at aircraft. Federal prosecutors say 19-year-old Adam Gardenhire of North Hollywood pleaded guilty Monday to a federal offense. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.Prosecutors say Gardenhire aimed a commercial-grade green laser at several aircraft…

In case you haven’t seen it here is a video (about 15 minutes long) of the shuttle flyover in SOCAL. Enjoy. Shuttle Endeavour’s flyover Southern California

(Photo Credit: XCOR)Outer space just seems a bit closer these days. Just weeks after Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner awed the world with a stratospheric skydive, a California aerospace firm is hoping send even more people to the edge of space with a hypersonic aircraft capable of cruising at 3.5 times the speed of sound.

Mojave-based XCOR is currently busy constructing the “Lynx,” a two-seater commercial craft supposedly capable of cruising 62 miles above the Earth’s surface at speeds of more than 2,500 miles per hour.”I’m excited as hell,” XCOR Chief Operating Officer Andrew Nelson told ABC News. “It’s going to be the most exciting suborbital space flight you will ever take.”

The ride, the entirety of which takes about 30 to 45 minutes, consists of a rocket-powered ascent, several minutes of microgravity coasting near the edge of space, re-entry and a gliding landing similar to that of a space shuttle.

Since 1989 the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) has sponsored the International Aviation Art Contest to challenge young people to illustrate the importance of aviation through art. Demonstrating the impact of aeronautics through an interactive, fun medium such as art motivates youth of all ages to become more familiar with aeronautics, engineering and science. The U.S. portion of the contest is sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), managed by the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education and sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University – Prescott, Ken Cook Co., the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Coalition for Aviation and Space Education with additional support from NASAO members.

Children between the ages of 6 and 17 may participate. Entries will be judged in three classes, according to age and at least in part for its creative use of the theme in relation to the aviation world.