Tom Tries Again

By ANN Warbird Correspondent Tom Griffith Since first seeing this big, beautiful Boeing bomber at LSFM over 10 years ago, I have wanted to get a ride in this warbird. My dream to fly in a B-17 actually dates back maybe 50 years, and among bombers, I consider the B-17 the Holy Grail.

Lancair has announced that full hull coverage for its Lancair PropJet is now available through AIG Insurance for those owners of the Lancair IV, Lancair IV-P and the Lancair PropJet...

Thorpe-211 Engineer "Earned His Keep"

IndUS Aviation says it's the first manufacturer in the United States to acquire a Special-Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) Airworthiness Certificate under the ASTM Consensus Standards. The certificate was issued on Wednesday by Inspector Rick Murdock of the FAA Southwest Region's Fort Worth Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO).

State Asks For Bids Despite Protests

Just days after New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was able to order his new Cessna Citation Bravo, another US governor is in the market for new wings. This time, it's Alaska's Frank Murkowski.

Boeing, Machinists Union Open Employee Contract Negotiations in Seattle

Boeing and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Friday jointly began formal contract negotiations in Seattle, WA. The IAM presented its proposed modification to the existing collective-bargaining contract to the company, which will expire at midnight on September 1st. The contract covers Boeing employees who are members of the IAM in the Seattle area, Wichita, KS and Portland, OR.

Legislation Aimed At Protecting Airliners Against Growing Threat

US Representatives Steve Israel's (D-NY) and Melissa Bean's (D-IL) legislation to protect commercial airliners against shoulder-fired missile attack drew strong support from the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA) Friday.

Gear Collapsed, Plane Skidded Off Runway At Dulles

Federal investigators are trying to figure out what happened aboard a United Express Saab 340 that caused one of its main landing gears to collapse. The aircraft, with 31 people on board, skidded off the runway at Dulles International Airport Wednesday night. No one was hurt.

German Line Rose From The Ashes Of War To Build Enviable Reputation

On June 8, 1955, Lufthansa resumed flights from Germany to the United States. In those days before jets, the plane of choice was the Lockheed Super Constellation model L1049G, which the German carrier used on its long-haul routes.

Third Preparatory Test Flight Completed

Raytheon Systems Limited at Broughton, England, has just completed the third of five test flights of a green Bombardier Global Express -- an unmodified ASTOR aircraft -- from Hawarden Airfield in North Wales. These flights are being carried out under RSL's newly achieved Ministry of Defence AvP67 Flight Approval and are in preparation for the maiden flight of Broughton's first modified Sentinel RMk1 ASTOR aircraft, ZJ 691, which is anticipated in July.

Curtis didn't invent aerobatics. He didn't invent biplanes. He didn't invent the concept of small planes with big engines. He did, however, re-invent all of those factors and mold them into the image we now know as modern aerobatics. He and his little airplanes completely rewrote the aerobatic history books and opened the world of serious aerobatics and pure high performance to the masses. As a result of his efforts, an individual with dedication and a yearning for the third dimension could take a roll of drawings and convert them into a rag and tube ball of lightning that would never fail to take their breath away. Source: Pilots honoring sport aviation pioneer Curtis Pitts at an ICAS convention in Las Vegas, NV, several years ago. Pitts died this week. He was 89