Globe with the words Around the Pattern cured around the top half.

Aviation Stories for April 29, 2011

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Here are some stories that you may have missed this week.

Martin B-26 Marauder museum display

A Kalispell, Montana aircraft repair business is still thriving.
This article is from theRepublic.com (Columbus, IN). It is a story of survival for an aircraft repair business in Montana that seems to be thriving even in this economy.

A DC-3 is slowly returning to life as a museum display.
This article is from SalisburyPost.com. A small group of dedicated volunteers at the North Carolina Transportation Museum are slowly restoring a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 to display condition.

Interesting comments in an NTSB report on an ATR-42 crash in 2009
This article is from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. It relates some of the recommendations made by the NTSB in their final report of a 2009 crash of a FedEx ATR-42. They cited CRM training deficiencies and allegedly let slide the fact that the aircraft was flying in icing conditions for which it was not certified. Interesting article.

A chance to have breakfast with the youngest B-26 pilot in WWII.
This article from TheSuburbanite.com describes some of the WWII experiences of Don Block. Don flew his first B-26 mission in Europe at the age of 19 – and is still around to tell about it. He will be available to talk to at ‘the MAPS pancake breakfast” this Sunday. I guess the Suburbanite doesn’t realize the reach of the internet. It isn’t until the next to last line that they refer to a museum. It turns out that MAPS is the Military Aviation Preservation Society which runs an Air Museum in North Canton, OH. If you get a chance, go out and see Don. Sounds like he has some great stories.

Mosquitoes everywhere
This is from the EAA website. A 3/4 scale replica of the de Havilland Mosquito flew for the first time in France, a full-sized restoration from Canada is being completed in New Zealand and a WWII veteran in Florida is underway with his 3/4 scale version.

Now this guy is a real negotiator – his wife didn’t want him to fly
This is an article from pocket-lint.com. So, you have had your PPL for about 15 years but you get married and your wife is afraid of flying and wants you to stop. OK, you negotiate – and get her approval to work on your flight simulator in your home studio. Little did she know….


Comments

4 responses to “Aviation Stories for April 29, 2011”

  1. Cedarglen Avatar
    Cedarglen

    Another great collection. Thanks, Tracy. -Craig

  2. Tracy Avatar

    Glad you liked them – I really like that guy’s simulator!

    tr

  3. Cedarglen Avatar
    Cedarglen

    Yes! Talk about a “Negotiated Settlement!” I have to wonder where/how he acquired the panel parts. They are not typical hardware store stuff and can get a bit spendy. If it keeps his wife happy… I’m not going there. Regards, C.

  4. Tracy Avatar

    Yeah, I was wondering that, too. Looks like a totally original instrument panel and center console – FMS heads and everything. Couldn’t be cheap.

    tr