Megan Vande Voort snapped these pictures during the 2021 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, held April 13-18, in Lakeland, Florida. Whenever the Blue Angels perform at an airshow, a local person is selected for a flight in one of the Blues’ jets. At this year’s show, SUN ‘n FUN officials were adamant that person would be someone who was on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. They reached out to Lakeland Regional Health and officials there nominated Medical Intensive Care unit manager Regina Wilkins. She got her chance to fly with Blue Angels No. 7 on April 14 during the show.
Aviation News
A promise made and kept
When he was just a 16-year-old student pilot Dan Helsper saw a Pietenpol Air Camper, “the most beautiful thing” he’d ever seen. He vowed then and there to build one of his own some day.
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter makes historic first flight on Mars
The Ingenuity helicopter’s first flight on Mars was made at what NASA officials have named Wright Brothers Field on the red planet. “We have been thinking for so long about having our Wright brothers moment on Mars, and here it is,” said MiMi Aung, project manager of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. “We will take a moment to celebrate our success and then take a cue from Orville and Wilbur regarding what to do next. History shows they got back to work – to learn as much as they could about their new aircraft – and so will we.”
Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection program prepares for takeoff
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s $3 billion Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection program will provide grants to retain, recall, or rehire the workforces of eligible aviation manufacturers and maintenance businesses, including their suppliers, during the pandemic. This temporary program requires a cost-sharing of 50% by employers and 50% by the federal government and can only be used to support the compensation of these workers.
FlightAware introduces SkyAware Anywhere
SkyAware Anywhere takes your ADS-B receivers (including 1090 and 978 receivers) and combines them into a single map, allowing you to securely view the skies you’re monitoring.
Student hits fence post while trying to park 172
The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi operations.
Pictures of the Day: SUN ‘n FUN night airshow
Matt Genuardi sent in these photos taken Wednesday, April 14, 2021, during the 2021 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo’s night airshow.
The simple success of the Old Farts Flying Club
The Old Farts Flying Club is very informal and simple: There are no dues, initiation, requirements, or vetting. Just an email list informing pilots where the next gathering will be. Events range from meeting for the mythical $100 hamburger to hangar flying to tours of the Piper factory and NOAA hangar at KLAL.
Bearhawk trifecta in New Zealand STOL competition
For the third year in a row, Bearhawk pilot Jonathan Battson has won the annual Healthy Bastards Bush Pilot Champs STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) competition.