Test Pilot Len Fox parachuted to safety yesterday morning after the failure of a test recovery system rendered the prototype Lancair Columbia 400 he was testing unable to land safely. The aircraft crashed in a field near Millican, Oregon, a rural community east of The Lancair Company’s Bend, Oregon, headquarters.
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board released its report on February’s shuttle disaster Tuesday, criticizing NASA’s culture for poor communications and lax decision-making procedures…
Two pilots died Tuesday afternoon when a Beech 1900, operated by Colgan Air for US Airways Express, crashed into Nantucket Sound off Hyannis, Mass. The crew had taken off from Hyannis, declared an emergency, and was trying to return…
More pilots should be trained to carry weapons in the cockpit, more quickly, was the call from a coalition of pilot groups that held news conferences across the U.S. on Tuesday…
The National Aeronautic Association has named six winners of new awards that recognize pilots and organizations who volunteer to fly for humanitarian purposes…
The Aircraft Electronics Association has published a workbook to assist Part 145 Certificated Repair Stations in revising their Inspection Procedures Manual to the new Part 145 required format. The new Part 145 becomes effective on October 6. The workbook costs $500, but is free to AEA members…
If commercial airlines seem packed full to you this summer — they are. According to the Air Transport Association, U.S. airliners were more crowded this summer than they’ve been in 30 years, mainly because some 600 aircraft have been parked.
On The Fly…
Key Takeaways:
- Multiple aviation incidents occurred, including a test pilot's emergency parachute escape, a fatal commuter plane crash, and the release of a critical report on NASA's culture following the Columbia shuttle disaster.
- Aviation groups are actively advocating for changes, such as increased training for pilots to carry cockpit weapons and providing resources for repair stations to update their inspection manuals.
- Commercial airlines experienced their most crowded summer in 30 years, attributed to approximately 600 aircraft being taken out of service.
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