Flight Safety

Canadian GA and business aircraft can again take shortcuts over U.S. airspace on their way to Canadian destinations. The FAA has amended a NOTAMissued a couple of weeks ago that made such overflights illegal without special security measures. As we reported last week, the NOTAM, apparently issued at the request of the TSA, cancelled the […]

ForeFlight has acquired JetFuelX, a Web-based fuel card management service for turbine aircraft operators. The service allows users to manage multiple aircraft and fueling locations on one site and features quick-search pricing and fuel management tools. ForeFlight says the acquisition enhances its flight planning app with a unique feature. “We are thrilled to announce this […]

There is still no sign of survivors of what may have been midair collision between two Marine Corps CH-53 helicopters in Hawaii. Early reports saidthat search teams spotted a fire and debris near the island of Oahu. The transport helicopters, each with six Marines on board, were reported missing around 4 a.m. EST on Friday. […]

Readers of this blog know—or should know—that I have, from time to time, complained about GA’s tendency to incessantly blame and whine about the government’s poor treatment of the industry. Such diatribes tend to be too pat, lack any creative impulse and are boringly, depressingly predictable. So I try to restrain myself. So when this […]

In its annual list of most-wanted safety improvements for aviation, the NTSB on Wednesday reiterated last year’s choice for general aviation — loss-of-control accidents. GA pilots should take advantage of training opportunities and new technologies, such as angle-of-attack indicators, and practice “vigilant situational awareness” to help reduce the number of LOC accidents, the board said. […]

A familiar growl will return to the skies over Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories Wednesday as the iconic Buffalo Airways returns to the air. The cargo and passenger carrier, made famous by the reality TV series Ice Pilots NWT, was grounded six weeks ago by Transport Canada over safety and administrative concerns. Transport Canada restored […]

Under a new rule released today by the FAA, student pilots will no longer get their student pilot certificate from an aviation medical examiner. Instead, they can apply in person at a FSDO, through a designated pilot examiner, with a Part 141 flight school or a CFI. The TSA will vet the application, and then […]

A Maine pilot whose airplane went missing 43 years ago now will be the focus of a new search, mounted by a group of volunteer emergency responders and students in a local aviation Explorers post. Lewis Hogan Jr., age 28, was flying a brand-new Citabria on May 2, 1972, from Kennebunk to Augusta, when he […]

While landing a Beech Sierra at Sioux City Gateway Airport (KSUX) one blustery summer day (winds 32, gusting to 40, more or less straight down the runway), I chose to use full flaps in an attempt to achieve the minimum possible landing roll — just for practice. Well the gusts got the best of me. […]

Flight instructors conducting GA flight reviews and instrument proficiency checks are being directed to make sure pilots can hand fly the aircraft well enough to get themselves out of trouble. AOPA is reportingthat the FAA has issued a new advisory circular for instructors that adds emphasis to hand flying skills for the periodic reviews. It […]