I saw a high wing aircraft within 100 feet of me at the same altitude! He was so close I thought we were going to collide! I had little time to react and the aircraft passed within a few feet behind me. I pressed the PTT switch and said, “that was close!” to which the (presumably) pilot of the other aircraft responded, “was that on purpose?” I responded “of course not!”
Pilots
Picture of the Day: Arctic preflight
Tom Curran submitted this photo and note: “Prepping my 1953 C-170B for an early winter flight in North Pole, Alaska. Temperature was a balmy -10°F, so I shed my parka and mittens to keep from sweating.”
Young aviator maps out his future
South Carolina’s Caden McLain started his flight lessons at just 13, providing a challenge for his CFI. When he made his first solo, he had already logged 120 hours. With his sights set on flying big iron for UPS or FedEx, Caden says he got lucky having supportive parents. “And I have learned that no pilot is born with the skills you need. You have to work at it.”
Operations up at Twin Cities GA airports
The six general aviation airports operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) in Minneapolis-St. Paul grew their operations by 8%, with 352,195, takeoffs and landings in 2021, 26,151 more than in 2020.
Aircraft owner-pilot groups join forces
The new NBAA Owner Pilot Association Coalition (NBAA OPAC) brings together leaders of business aircraft owner-pilot organizations “in a collaborative effort to tackle top concerns for business aviators and explore opportunities to grow the owner operator community,” according to officials with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Picture of the Day: Piper envy
Huey Segura Jr submitted this photo and note: “11 gallons an hour. Can you do that?”
Hire a CFI who works for you
The responsibility of picking a good CFI lies squarely on the shoulders of the customer, so pick your CFI wisely. They work for you, after all. Hire well.
Aviation industry’s diversity showcased at Winter Warm-Up
NGPA’s Winter Warm-Up and Industry Expo had a record number of exhibitors, as well as 1,400 attendees, including students from eight university chapters of the association.
New boss for SUN ‘n FUN
The director of Lakeland Linder International Airport, home to SUN ‘n FUN, will take over as president and CEO after this year’s fly-in. That’s when John “Lites” Leenhouts, president since 2011, retires.