Child Unhurt, But Spooked

Birthdays are normally a time of celebration, especially for kids. However, one youngster ended his birthday on a sour note over the weekend. The child was invited to fly in an Aeronca (file photo) for his seventh birthday but soon found himself fighting to get out of the aircraft, after the plane clipped a power line and crashed onto an icy lake near Pine Lake (MI) on Saturday. Fortunately, the child was unhurt, but the pilot, Frank Blink, 56, of Allegan, was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo with non-life threatening injuries. Police reports indicate Blink was practicing touch-and-go landings on the frozen Pine Lake about 1:45 p.m. when the plane apparently struck a power line and nose-dived onto the ice. Police said G

Leaders Oppose Developer's Plans

Here's a twist: Some politicians are fighting to save their local airport. Two San Francisco-area congressional leaders Friday urged federal aviation officials not to close Concord's Buchanan Field (CA). Reps. George Miller, D-Martinez, and Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo, sent a joint letter to the FAA opposing a proposal to replace the airport with a mixed-use development. In December, county supervisors decided to seek proposals for alternate uses of the airport. The board needs FAA approval before shutting the facility. However, that won't be easy, as the county must keep the airport open for at least 19 more years under the terms of a $1.9 million federal grant it received last year. Nevertheless, area pilots fear the devel

FAA Grants Additional Credit For Elite PI-135 PCATD

The FAA has authorized use of the model PI-135 PCATD with the AP-3000 digital radio to satisfy regulatory requirements under 14 CFR Parts 61 and 141. Specifically, in addition to the 10 hours of instructional use already sanctioned on these systems, the PI-135 can now be used to perform the approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting/tracking required under section 61.57(c)(1) for recent instrument experience (instrument currency). The devices can also be used to log 2.5 hours toward the Private Pilot License as described under section 61.109(i)(1). The FAA has recently removed the “PC” from PCATD changing the nomenclature slightly. PCATDs now come in two varieties and are referred to simply as either

First-ever Twin-engine Restoration Project

How could AOPA top its 2003 sweepstakes involving a beautiful, classic  Waco biplane? Well, it seems they are intent on "doubling" their efforts. The association's 2004 grand prize winner is going to fly away in a fully refurbished twin-engine aircraft. Not too shabby, huh? The PA-30 Twin Comanche is powered by a pair of 160-hp Lycoming IO-320B engines — the same engines that power the likes of Piper's Super Cub and Tri-Pacer or Cessna's Skyhawk. A standard Twin Comanche can carry more than 850 pounds of payload for nearly five hours (without reserve) on a single fill-up. AOPA's Sweepstakes aircraft will be anything but standard, though. Anyone who joins or renews membership in AOPA between January 1, 2004,

Repeat after me... ANY retractable gear abnormality means that SEVERE caution must be employed until the bird is under the care of an A&P. Apparently, a ground observer was asked to check the gear, so the pilot may have had this in mind, but I can't emphasize strongly enough that ANY abnormality... weird noises, slow gear cycling, bulbs not illuminated properly, or just plain bad vibes, should be treated like the emergency it may become--otherwise you may need full power to taxi back to the ramp (grin). DESCRIPTION ACFT DEPARTED, PILOT PLACED GEAR SELECTOR IN THE UP POSITION, GEAR DID NOT RETRACT. PILOT RETURNED GEAR SELECTOR TO DOWN POSITION AND MADE SEVERAL PASSES. GROUND OBSERVER REPORTED GEAR APPEARED TO BE DOWN. ACFT LANDED AND GEAR COLLAPSED.

Deal Exceedes $100 Million

BAE Systems has been awarded two contracts totaling $107 million by the FAA to provide a variety of support services for the FAA's acquisition programs in the surveillance systems area. BAE Systems received a $67 million contract to provide systems engineering and implementation support services and a $40 million contract to provide management and financial support services to the agency. Both five-year contracts have performance periods that will last through the end of 2008. The contracting agency, the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J., awarded the contracts under its Multiple Area Support Service, Engineering Support Service Area contract vehicle. BAE Systems Technology Solutions will continue to provide