Across 1. Concept plane from Airbus that “flaps” in response to gusts and turbulence, 2 words 8. GPS picture, for example 9. It’s sometimes required for an approach 10. Route, for short 12. Large tree 14. What the pilot did during an autoland 16. Suffix for depend and cool 17 . Instrument ____ 19. U.S.__, more »

BACKGROUND On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800, a Boeing 747-131 with 230 passengers and crew on board, exploded mid-air shortly after takeoff. The flight was scheduled to depart JFK International Airport for Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport at 7 p.m. EDT but was delayed over an hour due to issues with ground equipment and more »

In a 35-mm transparency I only recently discovered in my library, there’s an image of a red-and-white Mooney M20C in front of a hangar with an older couple standing in front of it. The best guess I’ve got is that it’s the couple who sold N5746Q to my late friend and mentor, Chris Smisson, a more »

Altitude of first powered flight (1903): 20 ft. Time airborne: 12 seconds Distance traveled: 120 ft. Modern record by ground-launched airplane: 123,523 ft. Aircraft: MiG-25 fighter Max speed of MiG-25RB: Mach 2.83 Typical airliner service ceiling: 45,000 ft. Average cruising altitude: 35,000 ft. Miles from ground: 7 Altitude loss during moderate turbulence: 10-20 ft. How more »

  Across     1  Tecnam P2002 ____ Mk2     4  The G in RGLs     8  Leonardo’s Flying ___, aka “ornithopter”   10  ____ Petrel S   11  FAA’s domain   12  Race track circuit   13  Windy   14  Approved   15  Vanity   16  Little bit   17  Comedian   19  Legend ___ more »

“VACATE,” giant red letters proclaimed. “The Department of Buildings has determined that conditions in these premises are imminently perilous to life.” The last line threatened arrest for anyone violating the order to vacate the property. Scrawled across the top was the phone number for the Red Cross shelter, presumably offering a safe place to stay more »

The Mystery: Do UFOs exist? And if so, what are they? The Backstory: In recent months, new revelations from the United States Department of Defense has reignited the debate over whether UFOs exist. At the same time, a number of pilots, including a couple of retired Naval aviators, came forward to detail their encounters, including more »

Oldest competing aerobatic pilot: Ian Metcher Age at record (2001): 86 Last age inverted: 95 Quote from wife: “I just worry when he drives.” Are you an aviation enthusiast or pilot? Sign up for our newsletter, full of tips, reviews and more! World’s oldest fighter pilot: Phil Frawley Country: Australia Age at retirement: 66  Years married: more »

If you’re a pilot or just an airplane nut, then you have almost certainly taken photographs of airplanes, probably lots of them. And it’s also likely that many of your efforts have been less than fully satisfying. No shame. Airplanes are really hard to photograph. There are, in fact, a number of built-in challenges when more »

What’s the story behind Lawn Chair Larry Walters and his infamous balloon flight? Backstory If you were a pilot in the early 1980s, you likely know the story of Larry Walters, aka “Lawn Chair Larry,” the man who tied over 40 weather balloons to a lawn chair and quickly gained ATC and FAA attention by more »