Pia Bergqvist

Whether a seaplane has a floating hull, like a flying boat, or pontoons, like a floatplane, there are several structural components that help make the airplane buoyant, reduce drag, add stability and prevent the airplane from tipping or flipping over as it is moving through the water. Here are the most important elements that allow […]

The City of Santa Monica has launched Phase II of what it calls the Santa Monica Airport Community Process. This is a three-phase process that will help determine the future of KSMO. More than two-dozen two-hour long meetings are scheduled in January, February and March with eight to 12 participants giving their input on what […]

Perfect weather graced the annual Experimental Aircraft Association skiplane fly-in on Jan. 22 at Pioneer Airport — a private grass field (when it’s not covered with snow) situated adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where AirVenture takes place every summer. With sunny skies, light winds and a few fresh inches of snow, 33 […]

At the Living Legends of Aviation gala in Beverly Hills, California, this weekend, Jeppesen‘s CEO and president Mark Van Tine was honored as the “Aviation Industry Leader of the Year.” A gathering of aviation entrepreneurs, innovators, record breakers, industry leaders, astronauts and celebrity pilots watched as Van Tine received the award in recognition of his […]

Once again, a new flying bug has bit me. This time the bite came from a bug-like aircraft – a helicopter. I had a chance to fly a Eurocopter AS350B3, also known as an AStar, the same type of helicopter that landed on top of Mt. Everest a few years ago and set an unbeatable […]

Boneyards – the graveyards of worn out airplanes – are generally depressing collections of airplanes whose useful life has come and gone. But art aficionado and gallery owner Eric Firestone saw these airplanes as an opportunity to create something beautiful. Along with curator Carlo McCormick, Firestone conceived The Boneyard Project, which put retired historical airplanes […]

With an enticing financial package offered by the City of Superior, Douglas County and the State of Wisconsin, Kestrel Aircraft has decided to move its headquarters and manufacturing facilities from Brunswick Landing, Maine, to Superior, Wisconsin, bringing with it a total of around 600 new jobs to the area. According to Kestrel spokeswoman Kate Dougherty, […]

The first solo flight is undoubtedly a moment that you will never forget. Even though you may have seen the earth from above many times before, the experience of reaching that perspective alone is different. And because it is literally a groundbreaking moment, you’ll want to do everything you can to make it positive and […]

The engineers at Tecnam appear to be frantically pumping out new LSA designs, and now the company is focusing its attention on tailwheel lovers – a group of pilots who are ignored by most manufacturers these days. A tailwheel version of the P92 has been brought to the market on the heels of the P92 […]

Eric Radtke is an airline transport pilot, Gold Seal flight instructor, advanced ground instructor and NAFI-accredited Master Flight Instructor. Eric has been involved in aviation education since 1998 and currently serves as president and chief instructor of Sporty’s Academy — the educational arm of Sporty’s Pilot Shop. He says: I’d recommend a recreational or sport […]