CAP Pilot: "It's Eating Our Hearts Out"

There's still no sign of retired Muskogee, OK, physician Jack Nolen -- nor of his two-place Kitfox Lite2 -- both missing since January 14th. As ANN reported on Friday, the Oklahoma Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has scoured hundreds of square miles between Paris, TX, where the aircraft was last seen, and Shawnee, OK, hoping to find some sign of the 72-year old physician.

Contract Airline Maintenance Reaches 60-Percent

Where is the center of US commercial passenger aircraft maintenance? Here's a hint: It's moving further and further to the south. Pretty soon, it may not be in the US anymore.

Few people have been witness to as much sport aviation history as has Audrey Poberezny. As one half of the amazing team that gave EAA its start (and, admittedly, the better looking half), Audrey Poberezny has been a steadfast partner to EAA Founder Paul Poberezny as he helped bring the world of personal aviation to more people than any single flyer we know. Today is Audrey's 80th birthday... quite a milestone for anyone, and one that we're pleased to celebrate.

Letter From President To Passengers

There have been some significant accomplishments and a great deal of positive news about US Airways recently. I want to take a moment to update you on our progress towards transforming our airline. Additionally, I want to thank you for continuing to support us over the past few months.

Hey Klyde... NOBODY Feels As Bad As US Airways!

Land Of Enchantment High On Aviation -- But Warns Indian Tribe Of Problems In Proposed Deal

Slow down and think it over. That's reportedly the warning from the State of New Mexico to the Navajo nation, as the Native Americans consider investing $34 million in a Georgia-based aviation operation.

Cessna 421C Down In Affluent Suburban Neighborhood

For three people on board the Cessna 421C, it was supposed to be the start of a Florida vacation, full of fishing, family and friends. For a husband and wife ministry team, it was a ten-year anniversary present from their congregation. But all that ended in tragedy Friday, when the aircraft went down in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, KS. All five people on board were lost.

An ANN Reader Talks About The Downside of RVSM

Most corporate operators see this as a winning move for the airlines and a financial burden to us. True that the airlines will save money by cruising at more efficient altitudes but the cost to my corporation is significant with little reward.

AOPA Files FOI Request To Find Out What's Really Happening With Airport Finances

The AOPA has sprung into action to defend a threatened airport. City officials in Rialto, California, are looking to close or downsize the Art Scholl Memorial/Rialto Municipal Airport. They claim the airport is a "money pit," but AOPA contends they have done little to make the airport viable.

Plans Finalized, Available For Review

The FAA's Light-Sport Aviation Branch (LSAB) announced on January 17 that the standards for establishing sets of light-sport aircraft (LSA) have been finalized and are now available for review. LSAB manager Marty Weaver stated that Larry Burke, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA), will serve as the point person for coordinating recommendations back to the LSAB as to which aircraft belong in which LSA set.

NTSB Says Passenger Jet Passed Over Less Than Two Minutes Before Fatal Accident

From the NTSB: On January 10, 2005, at 2311 eastern standard time, N136LN, a Eurocopter EC135 P2, operated by Air Methods Corporation, d.b.a. LifeNet, was destroyed during an impact with the Potomac River near Oxon Hill, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot and flight medic were fatally injured, and the flight nurse received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight originated at Washington Hospital Center (DC08), Washington, D.C., at 2304, and was destined for the Stafford Regional Airport (RMN), Stafford, Virginia. The air ambulance positioning flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

Message From The President

The BFA has had the task of digging itself out of a very difficult period. when a few years ago a number of our competitive balloon pilots decided to branch off and form their own balloon organization.

US Participation In Relief Effort Winding Down Now

USS Essex (LHD 2) sailors delivered nearly 170,000 pounds of relief supplies in Indonesia in support of Operation Unified Assistance in just three days last week.

Passing Along The Tuskegee Legacy

If you want to sum up John Chuck Gay's philosophy in one sentence, this might just do it: "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission."

CRS Jet Spares, Dassault, Gulfstream Top Supporters

The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) is pleased to announce that CRS Jet Spares, Inc., Dassault Falcon Jet Corp., and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. have signed on as title sponsors of PAMA's 34th Annual Aviation Maintenance Symposium, which will be held March 8-10, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV.

Sure, There's A Lot To Learn; But IT Could Save Your Life

by Dean Stevenson, Aviation Lecturer Many of you know of the following conditions that could possibly occur in flight, typically in unpressurized aircraft. They normally do not affect persons below 10,000 feet.

Company Turning Away Business For Lack Of Hangar Space

Evergreen Air Center has asked three counties surrounding its Pinal Park (AZ) facility -- Marana, Tucson and Pima -- to provide it with funding in the form of delayed interest loans for the purpose of expanding its capacity.

"We have pulled out everything we can think of but we haven't gotten anywhere. It's eating our hearts out. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack. Every lead and procedure has been utilized, but nobody has come up with anything yet." Source: Capt. Don Foster, Civil Air Patrol pilot and public affairs officer, in an interview with the Muskogee Phoenix about missing Muskogee, OK, physician Jack Nolen. Neither Nolen nor his Kitfox Lite2 have been seen since January 14th, when he took off from Paris, TX, headed for Shawnee, OK. In spite of spending more than 3,000 man-hours on the search, so far, the CAP has turned up uncharacteristically empty-handed.