In an interview with a local PBS station, Darrin Smedsmo said the tribe wants him to pay $7,250 to get his Stinson 108 back, which includes a $5,000 donation to the Red Lake Boys and Girls Club and $2,750 for the towing bill to haul the plane from the highway where it landed to a storage yard, where it has remained outside through the winter.
Briefings
Laser Strikes on Aircraft Drop for Second Year In a Row
Pilots reported 10,994 laser strikes to the FAA in 2025 — a 14% decrease from the year before — but still too high, say agency officials.
Museum Partners With Local School District on High School Aviation Program
The Museum of Flight is partnering with the Peninsula School District to launch a new Aviation Academy. Replicating the successful Aeronautical Science Pathway, the program offers students hands-on training and up to 60 college credits at no cost to families.
Oklahoma High School Aviation Championship Launches
The championship, which was held Feb. 20-21, 2026, at the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus, brought together 12 finalist teams from across the state. Students participated in flight simulation rounds, showcasing their technical skills and aviation knowledge during the competition.
GA Survey Launches
The FAA’s 48th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) has launched, with the agency asking general aviation aircraft owners to report on their operations during the calendar year 2025.
Hartzell Propeller Opens New Innovation Center
The center will be home to all Hartzell carbon fiber propeller production, as well as research and development for Advanced Air Mobility and other emerging markets.
Dallas Flight School Launches Aerobatic Training Program
The Thrust Aerobatic Training Package delivers eight hours of specialized aerobatic and upset recovery instruction.
$12 Million in Upgrades Unveiled at KWWR
The upgrades at West Woodward Airport in Oklahoma include a new terminal building, new hangar, an expanded apron, and a new taxiway.
Bridging The Gap Between Flight Sims and Real-World Flight Training
While flight simulation has become an increasingly important tool in aviation training, many simmers and early-stage pilots struggle to understand how — and when — to translate that experience into real-world flight training, according to officials.