Funk was one of the Mercury 13 — a group of women who underwent the same rigorous astronaut testing as their male counterparts in the early 1960s, but didn’t achieve her dream of space travel until July 20, 2021 — 52 years to the date from Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s first steps on the moon. At the age of 82, Funk finally launched into space, setting a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Aviation News
McFarlane Aviation acquires Instrument Tech
Instrument Tech Corp. produces aircraft parts and accessories, including fuel senders, horns, switches, and aircraft instruments.
Student pilot loses control during landing
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
Picture of the Day: High wire act
Glenn Brasch, the force behind AirportCourtesyCars.com and a frequent contributor of photographs to General Aviation News, sent in this photo with a note: “A Hughes helicopter and a very brave electrical worker maintain a power line in Tucson, Arizona, on Nov. 1, 2024.”
A Mite-y friendship
Just imagine, if they hadn’t had the same camera, none of this may have ever happened.
First FAA-approved aerial laser show illuminates desert skies
The performance combined four aircraft-mounted lasers with synchronized wing-mounted pyrotechnics and lighting effects, creating an aerial display at Burning Man 2024.
Phillips 66 donates $1.5 million in fuel
The donation to the Memorial Hermann Foundation will support the new Life Flight helicopter fleet, which is set to make its debut in 2025.
ASA updates composites textbook
Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA) has released the third edition of “Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication and Repair” by Louis C. Dorworth and Ginger L. Gardiner.
Inaccurate gauges contribute to fuel exhaustion
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the fuel exhaustion was the likely inaccurate right fuel quantity indicating system.