Podcast: Controllers to the Rescue By Mary Grady When a Mooney pilot got into trouble last December, stuck above the clouds and running out of fuel, controllers at the Seattle tracon helped him to a safe landing. In this podcast, AVweb's Mary Grady takes you through the audio tape of the event, which won the controllers an Archie League Award this week from NATCA.
Podcast: Young Eagles for Grown-Ups By Mary Grady Jeff Skiles, known as the first officer for the "Miracle on the Hudson" flight, served as co-chair of EAA's Young Eagles program for a couple of years, and now he's signed on with EAA as vice president of chapters and youth education. He spoke with AVweb's Mary Grady about the new Eagle Flight program for adults, some expanded youth programs in the works, and EAA's global future.
Podcast: Haim Aviation's Retro LSA By Paul Bertorelli The LSA market doesn't lack for choice, and walking the line at Sebring, one show-goer told us they sort of all look alike. With a few exceptions, that's probably true. But one that definitely doesn't look like the rest is The Sam from Haim Aviation. It's a fast-build E-LSA kit powered by a Rotax that has a funky 1930s retro look, complete with a greenhouse canopy and art deco wheel pants. In this podcast, Haim's Thierry Zibi gave us the rundown on this new project.
Podcast: Medical Waiver Proposal Delayed By Russ Niles The sudden departure of FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has thrown a wrench into EAA and AOPA's proposal for a waiver of medical requirements for those who fly certain aircraft day VFR. AOPA President Craig Fuller spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.
Podcast: LSA Earning Respect By Russ Niles The Light Sport sector has been around for seven years and is earning a respected place in the general aviation industry according to Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA). He spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.
Podcast: Hightower at Sebring By Russ Niles EAA President Rod Hightower keynoted the Sport Aviation Expo opening dinner Thursday and touched on EAA's strategic realignment, new pilot promotion initiatives, and the FAA's internal dialogue about a possible weight gain for light sport aircraft. He spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles.
Podcast: Cape Cod to Cape Horn in a 172 By Mary Grady Chris and Corinne McLaughlin are on their way down the coast of South America in a 1978 Skyhawk, on a two-month journey from Cape Cod to Cape Horn to help raise awareness about the need for more organ donors. Chris was a 747 pilot before he fell ill and an organ donation saved his life. He talks with AVweb's Mary Grady about the trip and the mission.
Podcast: Hawker Beech in a Dogfight By Russ Niles Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture says his company hasn't been fairly treated in a bid for the Air Force's Light Air Support platform. He told AVweb's Russ Niles what he's doing about that.
Midway Controller Clears 737 Into Path Of Learjet (Audio) By Glenn Pew Audio has been released of an event that took place December 1, 2011, at Chicago Midway Airport and appears to show that Midway tower controllers cleared a Southwest 737 to cross a runway into the path of a jet that was taking off. The event involved Southwest Flight 844, a Boeing 737, and a Learjet. Together, the two aircraft carried 85 people. According to the NTSB, "Air traffic control did not cancel the takeoff clearance of the (Learjet) nor direct the (Southwest plane) to hold short of Runway 31R," the Washington Post reported. As the Southwest jet approached the intersection, its crew spotted the Lear on its departure roll. The Southwest crew stopped short and "the thing went right over our head." The NTSB calculated separation at 287 feet with the Lear passing 62 feet overhead. The Southwest crew then called the tower and may have gotten a response they were not expecting.
Podcast: The IPA's Captain Robert Travis on the Dangers of Cargo Fires By Glenn Pew Lithium battery fires can burn hotter and faster than other electrical or cargo fires, rapidly destroying an aircraft's structure and systems. The FAA realizes the threat and bans the batteries from the cargo holds of passenger-carrying aircraft. It treats cargo aircraft very differently, and the differences are staggering. Glenn Pew speaks with Captain Robert Travis, president of the Independent Pilots Association, about the FAA's position and the union's plans to make substantive changes.
