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FAA Is Behind Schedule The NTSB is growing frustrated with the FAA’s failure to require airliners to install devices that would prevent fuel-tank explosions like the one that brought down TWA 800 in 1996, The Washington Post reported last week. Airlines have asked the FAA to delay, the Post said, arguing that they have already […]

As the space-tourism industry struggles to invent itself, Jane Reifert, president of Incredible Adventures, of Sarasota, Fla., told MSNBC last week that tour operators must be careful about “overpromising” what their flights can deliver. “I can imagine people placing deposits on $200,000-plus flights, thinking they’ll be able to float around,” when in fact, she said, […]

Rockets And More Set For 1st X Prize Show The X Prize Cup event to be held Oct. 4 – 9 in Las Cruces, N.M., will feature rocket demonstrations, hovercraft and rocket planes, the organizers announced at a press conference last week. Many X Prize competitors will be there, demonstrating their technology or showing mockups […]

And there’s a sense of the blas surrounding the coverage of the latest incursion into restricted airspace near Washington last week — even though the aircraft involved has managed two other breeches, apparently flown by different pilots, according to The Washington Post. In fact, even the FAA and security authorities seem to be tiring of […]

And while the security debate promises to rage again, authorities in Harrison, N.Y., have the practical issues of what to do with the young man in the spotlight at center stage. Philippe Patricio has been held without bail since he allegedly stole the 172 and flew a couple of teenaged friends around the area for […]

Connecticut Wants Every Airport’s Security Scrutinized The theft last month of a Cessna 172 based at Danbury, Conn., that was taken on a joyride by a non-pilot who landed with a blood alcohol level of .15 has prompted a call for a nationwide security review of GA airports. Connecticut politicians have written Homeland Security Secretary […]

Reich’s problems were far from over when he hit the water. As the plane started to slowly sink, he realized he couldn’t open the doors. Using the emergency hammer supplied for just those circumstances, Reich was able to bash his way through a window and found time to sit on the wing (while donning a […]

Under the parachute, a Cirrus hits the ground as if it had been dropped from 10 feet so the landing jolt is considerable. That’s why the landing gear is designed to absorb most of that shock. But Reich’s descent ended on the placid waters of Bowline Creek, a tributary of the Hudson River. “It was […]

Chute First, Ask Questions Later Ilan Reich last Thursday turned a Cirrus SR22 into a powered parachute and in doing so possibly saved his own life and perhaps those of people on the ground. He broke his back and found out he’ll probably never fly again, but, given the host of much more serious potential […]

While joy riders flying in stolen airplanes is bad enough, yet more bad press for GA results when small aircraft violate the protected airspace over downtown Washington, D.C. An incursion last Wednesday caused a brief evacuation at Congress, and over the weekend, yet another straggler in a single-engine Cessna had to be escorted away from […]