briefs

An Antonov-24 crashed and burned Saturday in Gabon’s heavily forested region of Ndjole, about 250 kilometers southeast of Libreville, killing five Congolese and two Russians. Witnesses claim the aircraft flew one missed approach and then maneuvered in the darkness for another pass. Three of the seven bodies were found shy of the wreckage and are […]

Making for the last (hopefully) hurdle to a proposed runway extension, an environmental issue is slowing Arnold Palmer Regional Airport’s plan for expansion. A recently finished yearlong environmental assessment cited “two areas that had a potential for impact” — a small wetland and potential archaeological site now confront the Westmoreland County Airport Authority’s plan. The […]

The home of Air Force One found itself as an unexpected refuge for a student helicopter pilot over the weekend. A statement from the 89th Airlift Wing — the Air Force’s unit that manages the presidential fleet — said the unauthorized landing occurred at about 5 p.m. and was met immediately by security personnel. Military […]

While the U.S. postures for a war with Iraq, it has become clear that the Pentagon is stretching its troop-transport capabilities too thin. The Washington Times reports the Pentagon is drafting plans to contract dozens of civilian airliners to ferry troops and equipment to the Persian Gulf. The paper states this would be just the […]

While preparations continue for the historic reenactment of the Wright Brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk this December, the replica aircraft has already made its first flight … sort of. The folks at Microsoft and EAA have teamed up to launch a virtual version of this famed aircraft, creating a new-generation replica — in the […]

Get ready for a good lei, because the Great Hawaiian Race 2003 is drawing near. The theme for this year’s event is “The Wright Stuff,” honoring … what else … the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Pilots are partnered up for this island-hopping flying adventure and those sticking around for the festivities will also be […]

The Bell Agusta 609 — a civilian tilt-rotor aircraft — is one step closer to its first flight, perhaps this spring. Fort Worth-based Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., which shares the experimental aircraft with Italy’s Agusta, is in the final weeks of system tests and is preparing for flight. “The basics are cooking together properly,” Jack […]

A charter flight headed to the Caribbean in May gives whole new meaning to stripped-down service. Shortly after takeoff from Miami, passengers will be invited to take it all off for the duration of the flight to a nudist resort in Cancun. There could be 172 high-flying free spirits aboard the Boeing 727, which has […]

A senator wants changes to a U.S./Peru anti-drug campaign that allows the Peruvian military to shoot down civilian aircraft suspected of running drugs. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Friday urged the Bush administration to reconsider the policy because, he said, there is no guarantee that identification safeguards will prevent the deaths of innocent people. Leahy cited […]

It’s aviation’s version of American Idol and aerobatic fans at Oshkosh AirVenture 2003 will be the winners. Aerobatic greats Sean D. Tucker and Mike Goulian have chosen six of the top up-and-coming air show performers to take part in the new Stars of Tomorrow showcase at Oshkosh. The young pilots range in age from just […]