On The Fly…

One of the Navy Blue Angels’ six F/A-18 jets landed shortly after takeoff after a mechanical problem was detected at a recent air show. After beginning his routine at last week’s Air & Space Expo, held at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., the pilot noticed an unspecified problem with the jet’s landing gear. The aircraft landed safely and the remaining five Blue Angel jets flew without incident…

More than 160 EAA Wild Blue Wonders teams from throughout the country are busy preparing for their regional meets in May and June. The teams are part of an EAA Aviation Foundation’s competitive program involving middle-school students who learn about aviation principles through science, math, and technology activities…

On Friday, Delta’s CEO Leo Mullin issued another apology to employees and shareholders for the handling of executive pay at his airline. Shortly before former American CEO Don Carty was criticized for similar issue and ousted from office last week, Mullin was the focus of criticism from inside and outside Delta Air Lines for his large compensation package, which was finalized months ago. He noted that he has already taken a 25% salary reduction, and won’t take “incentive compensation” in 2003…

Even with a tight budget, the 2003 Wichita Aviation Festival organizers promise it will be a spectacular event. The festival, to be held Sept. 18-21, is scheduled to include an air show, including the Air Force Thunderbirds, hot-air balloon launches, fireworks, educational seminars, aircraft displays and helicopter rides. There will also be a nighttime air show on Friday, Sept. 19, which will include acrobatics and pyrotechnic performances…

An engineer that worked on the Concorde program now wants the aircraft in Scotland. Sir James Arnot Hamilton, one of the brains behind Concordes distinctive wing design, is trying to get one of British Airways’ seven decommissioned Concordes for the East Fortunes Museum of Flight in East Lothian (UK). However, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is also bidding on the supersonic airliner.