Pilot Advocacy Group Fights the Good Fight for the Little Guy

The EAA contacted officials in Yuba County, California after members had alerted the org to a newly introduced prohibition on ultralight flight activity from the facility. County officials rationalized their ban using the FARs and FAA Airport Compliance Manual in ways that didn't hold up under EAA scrutiny. Doing its part to fight the good fight, the EAA wrote to county Airport management to remind them that while FAA policy does allow some restrictions in the interest of safety, they must be adequately justified and supported. According to Yuba administrators, they banned ultralights under the auspices of Part 103.19, which says "No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in proh

Engine Lost Power And The Pilot Initiated A Right Turn Toward The Airport

On January 26, 2022, about 1055 mountain standard time, a Beech F33A, N1HH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Williams, Arizona. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot reported that he departed from H A Clark Memorial Field Airport, runway 36, and turned left to the west. While ascending, about 700 to 800 ft agl, the engine lost power and the pilot initiated a right turn toward the airport. The pilot stated that he realized he was unable to make it to the airport and elected to land in an open desert field. Subsequently, the airplane lande

AD 2022-04-04 Prompted By Reports Of Two Accidents That Were The Result Of Power Loss Due To Oil Starvation

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. C-125, C145, IO-360, IO-470, IO-550, O-300, O-470, TSIO-360, TSIO-520 series model reciprocating engines and certain Continental Motors IO-520 series model reciprocating engines with a certain oil filter adapter installed. This AD was prompted by reports of two accidents that were the result of power loss due to oil starvation. This AD requires replacing the oil filter adapter fiber gasket (fiber gasket) with an oil filter adapter copper gasket (copper gasket). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these product