The Superlative Side of OK

The aircraft hangar of the Commemorative Air Force’s Lady Liberty Squadron is currently being graced with a dazzling mural depicting America’s rich military aviation history. The work of art spans the doors of the classic, radius-roofed hangar on Oklahoma’s Enid Woodring Regional Airport (WDG)—draping the prosaic structure in the lavish raiments of pride and purpose.

Two Pawnees Lost in Eight Days

On Thursday, 25 May 2023, a second banner-towing Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee owned and operated by Aerial Banners went down in Broward County shortly after departing Pembroke Pines’ North Perry Airport (HWO). Responding HWO airport security and Pembroke Pines Fire & Rescue personnel rendered assistance to the pilot, who suffered significant injuries and was transported to the aforementioned Memorial Regional Hospital. Aerial Banners owner Bob Benyo stated: "Thoughts and prayers for the pilot, he’s in the hospital, he’s expected to make a full recovery, so he’s in our prayers.”

Bosch, Vienna UT Included in Partners on Omnivorous, Sustainable Mill

Diamond's favorite supplier, Austro Engine, has embarked on a program with the Vienna University of Technology and Bosch General Aviation Technology for the creation of a "bivalent hydrogen engine". Diamond's sister company hopes to complete the research project by the end of 2024. The engine concept will hopefully be able to run on both kerosene/diesel fuels like a traditional Austro engine, while also being able to run on pure hydrogen. The problem is simpler in theory than in practice, of course, with Austro describing their basic idea as an engine with direct H2 injection and combustion via ignition jet instead of spark plugs.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Proof That Good Things Do Come in Small Packages...

When the Academy of model Aeronautics held its AMA Expo 2016, one would assume that the Expo dealt only with model aircraft. But when ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, took a look at what was there, he also found an aircraft that expanded model technology to carry a person aloft. In this video Jim talks with, Joseph Aletky, who is an Unmanned Systems Instructor for Rotor F/X. The aircraft they’re talking about is a single place, very light-weight, personal manned helicopter, and it’s called the ‘Mosquito.’

The Pilot Leveled The Airplane, “…Applied Power And There Was No Thrust”

On May 5, 2023, about 0745 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7DC-CONV, N3058E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was interviewed by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector and provided a written statement. The pilot described a “normal” preflight inspection, engine start, run-up, taxi, departure, and climb to about 2,000 ft mean sea level, where he established a heading toward his planned destination.

Thrust Reversal

On 25 May 2023, Natilus announced a partnership with British/American hydrogen-electric aero-propulsion-system concern ZeroAvia, by which the two companies will jointly develop hydrogen-electric engines for Natilus’s nascent Kona cargo aircraft. According to a statement put forth by the two firms, ZeroAvia’s ZA600, 600-kilowatt hydrogen-electric engine is to be the sole hydrogen-electric propulsion scheme Natilus will make available to buyers of its novel Kona short-haul feeder UAV. The announcement belies Natilus’s formerly expressed intention to power its Kona aircraft with conventional turboprop engines.

From 2014 (YouTube Version): This Is How A Great Life Gets Its Start... Enjoy!

While at EAA AirVenture 2014, Special Aero-News Correspondent, Michael Maya Charles, got a little off the beaten track and visited the Kermit Weeks hangar located on the north side of Wittman Regional Airport. While not actually part of the AirVenture exposition, Charles found a story that bodes well for the future of general aviation. Charles was lucky enough to be there at a time when he could meet a young man by the name of Eric Fatla. Eric is the kind of guy that works behind the scenes, but without him the scenes couldn’t take place. 

Shortly After The Loss Of Engine Power, The Left Wing Dropped

On May 6, 2023, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20K airplane, N262MK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Central Jersey Regional Airport (47N), Manville, New Jersey. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that earlier in the day he had departed for a visual flight rules cross-country flight after the airplane had a new propeller installed.

Alkaline-Battery-Powered Unit Offers Hassle-Free Reliability

ACR Electronics has introduced its ARTEX ELT 4000M, a transport-grade 406 MHz approved Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operating on homing frequencies of 243 and 121.5 MHz. The device is powered by a patented alkaline-based solution exempt from provisos the likes of those the FAA has prescribed for non-rechargeable lithium batteries. Production units of the new ELT—which has received Cospas-Sarsat, FAA, and EASA certification—are currently shipping.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): An Amazing Opportunity For Colorado’s STEM Educators…

In this video you’ll hear about a program that is designed to inspire teachers to inspire their students by sharing with them the excitement of flying in a 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearman trainer plane. Hetty Carlson, of the Teacher Flight Program, explains how they use aviation as a tool to motivate and encourage students. Their Colorado-based operation has a goal of flying one teacher from every school along the Colorado Front Range.