Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero Linx: Piper Apache Club

In 1978 a group of Piper Apache owners from the USA and Canada gathered in Hazleton, PA and formed the "Flying Apache Association". The Association produced a monthly newsletter and had an annual fly-in in various locations in the United States and the Bahama Islands. The Piper Apache was primarily owned by individuals that were long time owners and some flight schools for multi-trainers. As time went on many of the owners moved on to larger twins and a lot of the planes were sold to individuals that were only interested in building multi time to get an airline job. There was still a group of dedicated Apache Lovers out there that kept in touch and we did our best in helping them with needed parts and maintenance information. The Piper Apache has evolved again into the hands of the private owner that is interested in preserving and flying one of the finest general aviation aircraft ever made. The name of the organization has been changed to the Piper Apache Club. This was done to eliminate the confusion with the Apache Helicopter and move on from the initials of FAA, (Flying Apache Association), which has been a good source of humor over the years. The website will be up and running with free access for a period of time so it will be available to as many Apache owners and operators as possible. We will be moving to a Membership organization thereafter and we will endeavor to provide as much help and information as possible and also provide a forum for our fellow Apache owners.

FMI: www.piperapacheclub.com