Sherman Mills Fairchild: Aviation Inventor and Entrepreneur

Born in Oneonta, New York, on April 7, 1896, Sherman Mills Fairchild made a major contribution to the development of the aviation industry with his many inventions. An astute businessman, Fairchild founded more than seventy companies, including the Fairchild Aviation Corporation, the parent company for many of his aviation-related firms…

Ultralight Aircraft Safety Concerns Raised

A series of recent crashes in southwest Florida involving ultralight aircraft has highlighted the risks of operating these non-standard, unregulated aircraft – for the pilot, and people on the ground…

Advances in Avionics Improve Safety

American aerospace and defense contractor, Raytheon, has developed a wearable computer and monocle display to increase pilot situational awareness to the extent that the pilot may feel like he is…

Wings and Waves Air Show 2012

Hosted by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Wings and Waves Air Show 2012 will take place off the Daytona Beach shoreline on 13 and 14 October…

Texas Fall Festival of Flight 2012

The Texas Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association presents the Fall Festival of Flight on 12-13 October 2012…

Fly Iowa 2012

Scheduled for September 15, Fly Iowa 2012 will take place at Atlantic Municipal Airport with the theme of “Heritage and Homecoming”…

Proposed Technology for Safer Bad Weather Landings

With an increasing number of aircraft taking to the skies every year, the aviation industry is constantly looking at ways to make flying safer. Taking-off and landing are statistically the most risky part of air travel, so new technology aimed at making landing in bad weather safer is good news for both the aviation industry and for passengers.

Stag Park Fall Fly-In

Hosted by the EAA Chapter 297, the Annual Fall Fly-In at Stag Air Park has much for aviators to look forward to. Included in the event is the Wings Program, including three seminars on LSA Transition Training, Pilot Maintenance Programs and Wings Pilot Proficiency Training. Other highlights are the parachute jump, computer flight simulators, antique and British car displays, a bake-sale, as well as a Harriet Quimby portrayer. Visitors can also chat to V-22 Osprey flight instructors.

Aviation History: Alcock and Brown

Aviation history was made in the year 1919 by two brave pilots named John Alcock and Arthur Witten Brown. Their achievement of performing the very first transatlantic flight, non-stop, earned them the recognition of being knighted by King George V at Windsor Castle, and the Daily Mail Prize was awarded to them by Winston Churchill. A challenge had been posted by the Daily Mail in 1913 and renewed again later in the year 1918, offering a massive reward of £10,000 to anyone who flew over the Atlantic from any point in the United States, Newfoundland, Canada, or Ireland and Great Britain. But it had to be done within seventy-two hours, and Alcock and Brown took up the challenge.

Take to the Skies in an Ultralight

Ultralight or microlight aviation generally refers to an aircraft that seats either one or two people and became very popular during the 1970’ through to the 1980s, as it was more affordable than other aircraft. Due to the development in popularity of this type of aircraft, each country set up their own rules and regulations in regard to ultralight aviation, taking into account speed and weight, with allowances being made for amphibian and seaplanes. Some countries also make allowances for the installation of ballistic parachutes, meaning that there are no internationally recognized regulations, as each country has their own guidelines.

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