Loss-Of-Control Accidents, Often Stemming From An Aerodynamic Stall, Remain The Leading Cause Of Fatal Incidents In GA

By: Gene Yarbrough

One of the benefits of a small airshow is the intimate contact with the people and vendors attending. The first annual Affordable Flying Expo afforded  in depth conversation with Mark Korin of Alpha Systems, who manufactures industry leading Angle of Attack systems for light general aviation aircraft. His commitment to superior quality and enhanced aviation safety are exceedingly evident to all who visit him. 

Florida Pilot Urges Passage Of State Bill To Prohibit Practice

Donald Frano, a member of the Central Florida Pilots Association, posted a statement on Facebook as an urgent warning about the increasing number of airports using or considering using a third-party vendor to send landing fees to pilots based on ADS-B data. This began in Florida and is a growing threat that the aviation community needs to stand up to and strongly oppose.

Entrepreneurs And Innovators Take Risks Every Day, Visionaries See Potential Where None Exists….Yet

The affordable flying exposition kicked off at  Lakeland-Linder airport Nov 6 with expected modest attendance on the first day and increasing over the course of the event. However, attendance by the most serious players in the light sport aircraft, sport pilot, and new MOSAIC world showed commitment to this aviation space on par with the beginnings of SUN n FUN and Oshkosh. Over 40 exhibitors registered for the event, all but a few showed up (Two due to airplane troubles,  and one because they admitted they couldn't get their act together in time) showing the commitment by these companies and faith in the industry and future of light general aviation.

Archives Reveal Previously Classified Communications Records, Maps, and Logs

Upholding President Trump’s September promise, the US National Archives has declassified more than 4,600 pages of radio communications, maps, tables, and logs related to the disappearance of legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. While the move isn’t solving the mystery any time soon, it helps fill in some pieces to a 90-year-old puzzle.

Summer Worden Pled Guilty to Falsely Accusing Her Astronaut Wife of Crime on the ISS

It seems that the space has returned to its status as a crime-free zone for the time being, with Summer Worden pleading guilty to falsely accusing her wife, NASA Astronaut Anne McClain, of illegally opening her bank account while on an International Space Station mission. She now faces up to 5 years in the can and a maximum fine of a quarter million dollars.

Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Tank On Booster 18 Ruptured While Testing

By Wes Oleszewski- ANN Spaceflight Analyst SpaceX has suffered what could be a large set-back in its Starship Program. On November 21, the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank on Booster 18 ruptured while testing. This is the first of the Block 3 Starship booster stages, which are the third generation of the huge Starships that have recently launched. The failure took place at SpaceX’s Masseys test facility in Texas. As of this writing no injuries have been reported. Booster 18 was rolled out to Masseys on November 20 expecting to run through an early series of cryogenic tests in preparation for a flight sometime in early 2026.

Post-Season Maintenance On The Two Airplanes Involved Found Significant Evidence Of Corrosion On The Internal Tank Structure

Analysis: The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) had been using long term fire retardants (LTFRs) for many decades with no significant corrosion issues noted on their contract aircraft. Since at least 2006, the USFS had a single source supplier for LTFRs that provided retardants with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and/or ammonium polyphosphate (APP) used as the retardant salt. Beginning in 2020, the USFS allowed LTFRs to be submitted for qualification that contained retardant salts different from the historic phosphate-based retardants.

From 2022 (YouTube Edition): The Ballad of Sandbar Mitchell

Founded in 2013, Brighton, Michigan’s Warbirds of Glory Museum was formed to restore and fly historic aircraft for the noble purpose of promoting general understanding of the Second World War and its immense impact on American life, culture, and national identity. By way of mentoring young people in mechanical and technical skills germane to the restoration of WWII-era aircraft, the museum’s founders and volunteers perpetuate awareness of America’s role in history’s most significant conflict, and occasion appreciation of the courage, patriotic resolve, and national values by which the United States facilitated Allied victory over the authoritarian socialist regimes of Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan.

Aero Linx: Sentinel Owners & Pilots Association The Sentinel Owners & Pilots Association (SOPA) is a club of about 150 enthusiasts dedicated to the history, preservation, and enjoyment of the Stinson L-5 Sentinel aircraft, often called the "Flying Jeep". Founded in 2001, it serves as a central hub for owners, pilots, and mechanics to share information and support the restoration and flying of these planes, which were used by the military in WWII and the Korean conflict. The organization is a go-to source for anyone looking to own, work on, or learn about the L-5 Sentinel. 

Resolution Advisory A display indication given to the pilot by the Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II) recommending a maneuver to increase vertical separation relative to an intruding aircraft. Positive, negative, and vertical speed limit (VSL) advisories constitute the resolution advisories. A resolution advisory is also classified as corrective or preventive.