In Flight USA December 2025

Celebrating 41 Years in Publication

December 2025

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Calendar of Events

To list your group’s event on a space available basis, please send your event notice with date, time, place w/city and state, contact name, and phone number to: Calendar, In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402, or email vickie@inflightusa.com.

Note: Calendar includes only information available by our press date. Confirm the status before attending.

13: Pappy Boyington & The Black Sheep, Palm Springs, CA, palmspringDec. 1-31: Snoopy and the Red Baron, sairmuseum.org Aerospace Museum of California, Mc13: Santa In The Hangar At The MuClellan Park, CA seum, Wings Over the Rockies Air & 2, 16, 22: Aviation Escape Room, North Space Museum, Denver, CO Manchester, IN, in.gov/northmanches13: A Festive Night At The Hollywood terlibrary Canteen, HUSC and Planes of Fame 2: Kilroy Coffee Klatch Holiday Edition, Museum, Chino, CA, thehusc.com Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino, CA, 13: Snowed in at Flabob, Flabob planesoffame.org Airport, Jarupa Valley, CA, tickets on 5-6: Vintage Weekend Ocean Reef Air eventbrite.com Show, Key Largo, FL, AnnouncerSolu14: Crystal Eagle Award & Scholarship tion.com, Commemorative Air Force, awards Dinner, Lakewood, CA, FaceDoug Litton Airshows book @ EaaChapter96.

5: Castle Air Museum Tree Lighting 14: Holiday Hangar Hangout, Henry Ceremony, Atwater, CA B. Tippie National Aviation Education 6: For Love of Country Gala, Pearl Har- Center, Dallas, TX bor Hangar 79, Honolulu, HI, pearlhar19-22: Snowtopia, Palm Springs, CA, boraviationmuseum palmspringsairmuseum.org 6: Santa Arrives by Helicopter, Hiller 20: Solstice with Sasquatch, The MuseAviation Museum, San Carlos, CA um of Flight, Seattle, WA 6: SantaFest, American Helicopter 20: Christmas with You, San Diego Air Museum, West Chester, PA, helicopterand Space Museum, Balboa Park, CA, museum.org sandiegoairandspace.org 6: 12 Planes of Christmas, Rowland 26: Starlight Nights, Hiller Aviation Freedom Center, Vacaville, CA, rowMuseum, San Carlos, CA, hiller.org landfreedomcenter.org 27: Open Cockpit Day, Hiller Aviation 6: Hangar Talk and Santa Claus Fly-in, Museum, San Carlos, CA, hiller.org Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino, CA 29-30: Boeing Appreciation Days, 6: Aviation Career Day, Vineyard HavMuseum of Flight, Seattle, WA, museuen, MA, careers for pilots, mechanics, mofflight.org management, air traffic controllers, fire 30: Astronaut Rex Walheim, Hiller and rescue, mvyairport.com Aviation Museum, San Carlos, CA, 7: Air Power Adventure Hiller Air Muhiller.org seum, San Carlos, CA, hiller.org 31: New Year’s Eve Celebration, Hiller 7-9: Stuart Air Show, Stuart, FL, F-35A Aviation Museum, San Carlos, CA, Demo Team, Titan Aerobatic Team, hiller.org Northern Stars Aeroteam, Younkin AirJANUARY shows, RJ Gritter, Ghostwriter Airshows Ft. Nathan Hammond, stuartairshow.

January 10; A Convenient Villain, com Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos, 7: Holidays at the Museum, Owls Head CA, hiller.org Transportation Museum, Owls Head, 11: The Wally Hale Memorial Aviation ME, owlshead.org Day, Imperial County Airport, Imperi8-11: 2025 ICAS Convention Las Vegas, al, CA NV 18: Tampa Bay Gasparilla Air Invasion 10: CAF Warbird Tube - Inside Ike’s 2025, Tampa Bay, FL, Nathan HamBird – Restoring Air Force One, Online mond - Ghostwriter Airshows (Super event, commemorativeairforce.org Chipmunk), Warbird Thunder (SNJ x2), Doug Litton (Extra 300), Jive Kirby 10: Paint and Sip Night at the Alaska Wild Blue (RV-8), USCG SAR Demo Aviation Museum, Anchorage, AK, (MH-60), The Chuters, gasparillapialaskaairmuseum.org ratefest.com 12-13: North Pole Express: Air Mail Edition, Florida Air Museum, Lakeland, 25: F-104 Starfighter Open Cockpit, Palm Springs, CA FL DECEMBER

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In In Flight Flight USA USA Celebrating Celebrating 41 41 Years Years

44

December 2025 2025 November

COVER COVER STORY STORY

Connecting ArcadiaRuko: Jets Launches in Families Phoenix,and Arizona — Creating Joy One Drone atwith a Time Redefining Aircraft Brokerage Purpose, Innovation, and Client-Centered Service

In Flight USA is pleased to have had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Ruko – especially during this holnew name taking in the idayAseason – as is it is theirflight mission to world of aircraft sales and acquisitions. connect families and create joy. From Arcadia Jets, headquartered in Phoenix, aerial drones to smart charging, from Arizona, officially launched in January smart robots to remote-control cars, 2025 with a bold mission: to make an Ruko focuses on delivering refined, immediate, positive impact on the busihigh-performance, and premium conness aviation industry through a comsumer electronics, designed to inspire bination of integrity, innovation, and customers to explore the world, ignite giving back. imagination, harvest and share happiFounder Adam Hahn, with more ness, while providing 24/7 professionthan 20 years of experience in aircraft al and premium services to customers brokerage and acquisitions, Arcadia worldwide. Ruko firmly believes that Jets was built on a simple but powerful technology should make family life philosophy — put the client first and do more fun and joyful. business differently.

In Flight USA: What new toys and Doing Things Differently drones do you have for sale this holiday From day one, Arcadia Jets set out season? to stand apart from traditional brokerRuko: We have the U11MINI 4K age firms. Every transaction is handled Drone, which is a lightweight, unwith transparency, data-driven market der-249g (8.8 oz), drone designed for analysis, and a focus on long-term re-

beginners and travelers. It offers 4K video, 8K photos, stable flight performance, and a compact foldable body lationships rather one-time deals. that fits easily intothan a bag or pocket — “We wanted to create a compaperfect for capturing holiday memories ny that clients could truly trust,” said on the go.

Hahn, CEO/Founder of Arcadia Jets.

We also have the Ruko F11PRO 2 “Our goal is to combine expert market Drone, which is a powerful mid-range knowledge with genuine, personal serdrone equipped with 4K video and 6K vice — ensuring that each client feels photo capability, a 3-axis gimbal, and valued and confident through every long flight time. It delivers smooth, step of their aircraft transaction.” high-quality aerial footage, making Whether handling an acquisition, it ideal for users who want more adlisting a client’s aircraft, or facilitatvanced shooting performance this holing an off-market opportunity, Arcadia iday season.

Jets tailors its strategy to each client’s IFUSA: What are some special feaunique needs and goals. tures on your latest drone release?

A Commitment to Giving Back Ruko: The upcoming Ruko U11MIArcadia Jets believes that aviation NI 4K (RC3) builds on the ultra-portacan be a force for good — both in busible strengths of the original U11MINI ness and in the community. To reflect 4K and introduces a more professional, that, the company pledged that for evsmoother, and more reliable flying exery aircraft sold, whether through a

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It is designed for maximum conveclient acquisition, sale,remote or off-market nience.

The new screen controltransaction, a donation will be made to ler automatically connects on startup, Angel Flight West. eliminating the need to pair or mount Angel Flight West is a nonprofit ora smartphone. This avoids common ganization that arranges free, non-emerissues such as unstable phone connecgency air transportation for people factions, app freezes, compatibility limitaing medical and humanitarian needs tions, or complex setup steps — makthroughout the western United States. ing flying easier and more intuitive than “We built philanthropy into our ever. business model from the beginning,” One of the biggest advantages is Leslie Mogensen, Director of Business independence from smartphone perforDevelopment continued. “Our partnermance. The built-in display and inteship with Angel Flight West ensures grated processing system mean you can that every deal we complete also helps fly without worrying about your phone someone in need. It’s our way of giving overheating, lagging, losing battery, or back through the gift of flight.” receiving notifications that interrupt Rapid Growth and Expansion your flight. The controller features its In its first year, Arcadia Jets has alown power supply and optimized sysready begun expanding its team and catem for more stable signal transmission, pabilities. The company recently wel-

comed Hunter Yahya, an experienced Director of Aircraft Market Research, a role dedicated to gathering market data and providing analysis and intelligence using advanced data tools and proprietary systems to bring clients the most up to date information and data to ensure they are making the best possible decision for their mission.

Additionally, three new aircraft Rukoprofessionals drone’s compact and foldable sales will be joining the body fits easily into a bag or pocket company, strengthening its presence in (Photo courtesy Ruko) that clients key markets and ensuring continue to up receive top-tier and supporting to 2,000 feet service of live vidattention. eo feed.

Arcadia Jets is proud to bring toThe ergonomic all-in-one layout gether a team whose collective exper— combining the display and controls tise spans every corner of the aviation — provides a comfortable grip, better market. Their newest members contribweight balance, and smoother operaContinued Continued on on Page Page 99

December 2025

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Table of Contents Volume 43, Number 4

650-358-9908 • Fax: 650-358-9254 • E-mail: vickie@inflightusa.com • www.inflightusa.com

Cover Story

Feature Story

Ruko: connecting Families and Creating Joy One Drone at a Time

By Annamarie Buonocore Page 4 Cover Photo courtesy Ruko

Feature Story: A Tribute to Tracy Forrest

By Paul T. Glessner Page 21

News

Features

New Inspection Privileges for Amateur-Built Aircraft, Limitations............................................................................. 11

Editorial: AOPA “Gets” MOSAIC

By Ed Downs..................................................................10

Archer to Acquire Hawthorne Airport As Taxi

Goodyear Commemorates 100 Years of Airships

By Larry E. Nazimek......................................................13

Network Hub......................................................... 12 Boulder, Colorado, Not Appealing Recent Airport Ruling.. 18 DOT & FAA Announce Return to Normal Operations

Recent Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) Gathering in Miami

By Paul T. Glessner, M.S................................................16

After Shutdown...................................................................... 30 CAP to Deactivate Glider Program....................................... 38 Textron Hauls Bonanza, Baron Lines................................... 40

December 2025

Columns The Ups and Downs of Flight Training: Mommy Look, Something Fell Off the Plane!

By Ed Downs..................................................6 CallBack NASA’s SafeLandings: Non-towered Airport Hazards............................................13 Homebuilder’s Workshop: Decided to Keep Flying

By Ed Wischmeyer.................................................... 22 Goodies & Gadgets: Gift Items for Pilots and Flight Enthusiasts.................................................... 28 AOPA Editorial: My Inaugural Year

By Darren Pleasance, AOPA Precent and 40 CEO..................................................................

Departments Calendar of Events................. 3 Classified Advertisements.... 44 Index of Advertisers............. 46

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

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AirplanesUSA proudly present this classic WWII-era twin Beechcraft C-45H. The lowest airframe time of any flying Beech 18 in existence. Frame up restoration completed 2020. All new or rebuilt components from tailwheel to spinners! Originally AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales proudly presents this gorgeous built as a Beech AT-11 bombardier trainer, the aircraft returned Piper Lance Cessna 337G1977 Skymaster to market.

Beautiful cosmetics are to Beech1994 in 1953 Commander and was remanufactured114B and emerged as a Steve Feldman • Sales Manager complimented by a damage free, low time airframe and a C-45H. No expense spared in the restoration, maintenance highly capable IFR panel including Aspen Evolution PFD and operation of this remarkable aircraft. This is(650) a rare op-394-7610 • steve@airplanesusa.com and Dual Garmin WAAS GPS capability. Dual instruction, portunity to own a piece of aviation and Beechcraft history. worldwide delivery are available. trades con- 94070 Export and worldwide delivery are available.

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Founder .......................................................................................Ciro Buonocore Publisher/Editor ...................................................................Victoria Buonocore Managing Editor .............................................................Annamarie Buonocore Production Editors ...................................................Matt DuBois, Steve Pastis Associate Editors...... Paul T. Glessner, Nicholas A. Veronico, Sagar Pathak Staff Contributors ..............S. Mark Rhodes, Larry Nazimek, Lea Buonocore Columnists...Eric McCarthy, Ed Wischmeyer, Denise DeGregoire, Ed Downs

In Flight USA is published each month by In Flight Publishing. It is circulated throughout the continental United States. Business matters, advertising and editorial concerns should be addressed to In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402 or by calling (650) 358-9908–fax (650) 358-9254. Copyright © 2008 In Flight Publishing.

In Flight USA is not responsible for any action taken by any person as a result of reading any part of any issue. The pieces are written for information, entertainment and suggestion – not recommendation. The pursuit of flight or any action reflected by this paper is the responsibility of the individual and not of this paper, its staff or contributors. Opinions expressed are those of the individual author, and not necessarily those of In Flight USA. All editorial and advertising matter in this edition is copyrighted. Reproduction in any way is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

In Flight USA is not liable or in any way responsible for the condition or airworthiness of any aircraft advertised for sale in any edition. By law the airworthiness of any aircraft sold is the responsiblity of the seller and buyer.

December 2025

The Ups and Downs of Flight Training

By Ed Downs

Mommy Look, Something Fell Off the Plane!

Pam was a great student to fly with!

Pam and her husband, Rich, owned a new Cessna 185. Considered a much-sought-after classic in today’s market, it was new and admired when this writer was called upon to give Private Pilot instruction to Pam. Taildraggers were still considered normal in those days, and this was a taildragger we all wanted to fly. An enthusiastic young couple, Pam often showed up with her nine-year-old daughter, Deborah. The little girl was an enthusiastic flying fan and soon became a favorite at the airport, gaining the nickname of “Little Debbie,” after the famed culinary treat most CFI’s carried in their flight bags, as it was impervious to decay with age or abuse. A Little Debbie could be “munched” quietly when instructing from the backseat of a tandem trainer without the student catching on to the fact that you were snacking while instructing.

Once again, Pam taxied up from her nearby hangar with Little Debbie in the backseat.

Frankly, riding in the backseat of a plane doing all sorts of training maneuvers is typically a bad idea, as airsickness is usually the outcome… but not with Little Debbie. This kid had a stomach as tough as the crankcase on a P&W R-2800. The plane was bright and shiny, polished aluminum, fresh out of a recent 100-hour inspection. We did a quick “kick the tires” and the “light the fires” pre-flight. All was good!”

Our training for the day was to concentrate on short field operations, using an actual short field located in the hills (mountains?) laying between the San Fernando Valley and Palmdale, Calif. The runway was a comfortable 3,000-feet long but ran uphill into sharply rising terrain. This was a perfect adventure for a Cessna 185! This airport did not have an FBO but did have a restaurant on the field used more by local ranchers than by pilots, including my father, a reserve Deputy Sheriff, who patrolled that area. The three of us planned to full stop at least one landing to grab a bite. As a “cop’s kid,” I got a discount! Pam did a great job on our first full stop landing. We grabbed a burger and used a three point, short field take off technique. Pam did great, one of the few “natural pilots” this writer has ever flown with.

Our next approach was to be a slow, full flap procedure, transition to a wheel landing, often better for short-field ops than a full stall as you can “stick the landing point” more accurately. Flaps went to 40 degrees turning final and Pam was completely engrossed with the challenge of planting the

plane. Suddenly, Little Debbie jumped forward out of her rear seat and grabbed Pam’s shoulder, yelling “mommy, mommy … something just fell off the airplane!”

“Mommy” responded as any loving parent would be expected to respond, “shut up kid, I am busy!” I, however, was not that busy and swung around to see where Little Debbie was pointing. Sure enough, the full lower surface of the wing was now visible, as the fowler flaps had extended aft, exposing an area not normally seen unless the flaps are extended. A large, circular hole, about eight inches in diameter, was now clearly visible. An inspection port cover had apparently not been replaced correctly after the recent inspection and had finally flipped free of the wing. When pulling inspection plates, mechanics will often leave them attached with a single screw, just swinging them out of the way. It is a good way of making sure the right plate covers the right hole. Apparently, the flaps had been retracted after the inspection and this one inspection plate was missed, finally working free in the slipstream. Not being critical, we continued the landing, borrowed some duct tape from the restaurant to cover the hole and completed the lesson. But this writer learned a valuable lesson. Just because a plane is new and familiar, a “kick the tires and light the fires” attitude for preflight inspection is not adequate.

All too often, a pilot will approach the preflight inspection with the attitude of “making sure it is okay to fly.” In other words, one pre-flights the plane with the attitude that it is all-good. Your inspection is to simply confirm this positive assumption.

Psychologists tell us that preconceptions of an event or situation can lead to both visual and mental blindness to reality. For example, law enforcement professionals will quickly point out that there is no such thing as a “routine” traffic stop. Obviously, this writer had approached the Cessna 185 with a positive attitude, knowing the family that owned it and looking forward to the flight.

All positive. I did not personally inspect the plane and certainly did not lower the flaps, as the flight manual called for. My bad!

A wise and experienced aircraft maintenance professional chatted with me after I related this event to him and offered a thought that may sound negative but does make sense. “Ed,” this old boy offered, “when approaching the plane, stand in front of it and seriously ask it the question… are Continued on Page 7

December 2025

www.inflightusa.com

Mommy Look Continued from Page 6 you going to hurt me today?” The mechanic continued, “Then place your hand on the plane and perform your walk-a-round, touching the plane. Do not simply make sure everything is alright, specifically look for faults. Your hand may find faults your eyes have missed. Let the plane answer your first questions, they can talk.” Okay, now readers probably think this writer has gone mystic. Get real, you think airplanes can talk! You’re wrong.

Your touch may disclose a ripple in the skin that was not previously noted, perhaps pick up a smudge of oil where it should not be, maybe cause the sound of a control cable grinding or slapping. Did you roll the plane back a few inches to see tire tread hiding from view due to speed fairings? Did your hand pick up that nick in the prop that was not visually evident? All the time, your plane is talking to you. The FAA emphasizes that one must use the pre-flight checklist published in the POH/AFM, but remember, older planes do not have these documents, offering only an “Operating Manual” with limited technical information. But even if using a checklist, are you simply counting components, or actually looking at each

component with the question, “is there anything wrong.” Always “go with your gut.”

If something bothers you, do not simply conclude that “no problem on the last flight, it should be okay.” Words like “could,” Continued on Page 27

KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.

When pre-flight inspecting your airplane, “stand in front of it and seriously ask it the question… are you going to hurt me today?” (Image courtesy wikiHow Life)

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

8

October 2024

December 2025

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Ruko Continued from Page 4 tion during long sessions. It’s designed for creators who want a professional feel in a compact package.

This version includes two batteries, offering up to 64 minutes of total flight time, while maintaining the U11MINI 4K’s iconic mini-body design under 249g, 8K photo capability, 4K@30fps video, 48MP CMOS sensor, 3-axis gimbal with EIS, AI-assisted takeoff/ landing, and stable positioning (GPS, barometric, optical flow, TOF).

With its enhanced ease of use, stable connectivity, and portable controller system, the Screen Remote Controller Edition makes the U11MINI 4K even more accessible—perfect for beginners, travelers, and anyone who prefers a phone-free, streamlined flying experience.

IFUSA: Are your drones recreational in nature or do they require a licensed pilot?

Ruko: Our drones are primarily recreational and designed with beginners in mind. They don’t require a licensed pilot to operate. Whether it’s a teenager flying a drone for the first time or someone in their 60s or 70s exploring a new hobby, our entry-level models are built to be easy to learn and intuitive to control. Users of all ages can quickly get comfortable and enjoy the fun of flying.

IFUSA: What is your starting price point?

Ruko: Our entry-level drones start at around $200, making them an accessible choice for beginners who want a high-quality flying experience without a high cost.

IFUSA: What do you enjoy most about your drones?

Ruko: Each of our drones offers a slightly different experience, and that’s what I enjoy most — there’s always a model that fits the moment.

For example, the U11MINI 4K weighs under 249g, so it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to carry. When we travel and want to keep our bags light, this is the drone we bring. It slips into a small pouch or even a pocket, and we can launch it anytime to capture beautiful scenery on the go. Despite its compact size, it still offers all the essential features, including 4K video, making it a favorite among hikers and travelers who want portability without sacrificing quality.

On the other hand, the F11PRO 2 has a larger body and provides 4K video and 6K photos, with very stable

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Ruko U11MINI 4K drone with remote controller showing live aerial footage flight performance and crisp imagery.

It’s great for users who want more advanced aerial shooting capabilities.

Overall, what I love most about our drones is that they combine two key strengths: they’re very beginner-friendly, and they deliver impressively clear image quality.

IFUSA: Why are your drones exceptional for photography?

Ruko: Aerial photography is one of the features customers care about most, and at Ruko, we’ve always made it a top priority. Our goal has been to deliver an exceptional shooting experience for every user — from casual hobbyists to those who want more advanced creative tools.

Two factors matter the most in drone photography: image stability and image clarity. That’s why we continuously refine our gimbals, lenses, and processing chips to ensure each product generation brings noticeable improvements. Whether it’s reducing vibration, enhancing color detail, or improving low-light performance, every upgrade is aimed at giving users a smoother, clearer, and more reliable shooting experience.

By staying closely aligned with customer needs and consistently optimizing our imaging technology, Ruko drones have become a trusted choice for capturing beautiful, stable, and high-quality aerial footage.

IFUSA: What other professional purposes can your drones serve?

Ruko: Although our drones are designed primarily for recreational and entry-level use, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the many creative and practical purposes our customers have discovered.

Some homeowners use our drones to check on the progress of a house Continued on Page 22

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July 2024.indd 1

AOPA “Gets” MOSAIC As an aviation journalist, this writer subscribes to many press release sources.

No matter what the subject, I get them all.

Many get a quick review and are painlessly put out of their misery with the “delete” click, but not so when I see the “AOPA” logo. Jay Wiles, AOPA’s Director of Public and Media Relations, hits the mark every time with important news that includes regulatory issues, AOPA membership activities, safety issues, and a plethora of topics, which we know will be of interest to our readers.

Most recently, Jay sent out comments regarding the AOPA online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC), a training program all CFIs must undergo every 24 months. Of particular note was a statement that special information was being included in AOPA’s FIRC regarding the FAA’s new MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness and Certification) rule. This writer has already written much about MOSAIC. Be assured this is not another effort to “simplify” what is a nearly 700-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRN) that is still in a state of interpretation. All aspects of the rule are required to be in place no later than July 24, 2026. But part of MOSAIC (Sport Pilot privileges) went into effect on Oct. 22, 2025. Yep, confusing!

The challenge with MOSAIC is that well-intended writers (me included) drone on with detail after detail, often failing to hit the practical side of the rule.

AOPA has taken up the challenge of giving practical form to MOSAIC. This is being done by making sure the individuals who communicate the most with students and pilots about training, the local CFI, are well informed and ready to take advantage of new training opportunities.

The FIRC is a great way to “spread the word.” As an active FIRC instructor, my interest was peaked to the point of contacting AOPA’s Jay Wiles to see if In Flight USA could get a glimpse of that section of the AOPA FIRC that covered MOSAIC. Jay immediately put me in touch with Mary Kuehn, Chief Flight Instructor and FIRC Program Manager for the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

In short order, Mary had this writer set up to log on to the AOPA online FIRC program with permission to “wander at will” through any part of the FIRC I thought would be interesting. While CFI’s who are reading this might wonder about a guy who thinks “wandering” through a FIRC curriculum is “fun”… it was!

Like all FAA approved FIRC programs, there are Mandatory Subject Modules (13 for AOPA) required by the FAA. These are exactly the same modules this

writer is required to teach in a live FIRC. But AOPA takes a special approach to ensure the FAA mandated 16 hours of training is administered. An additional 12 Mandatory Elective Modules (one must choose at least four) are provided that expand on subjects available for recurrent training and review. These four electives are “mandatory” in order to ensure the 16-hour total course time is met.

The first Mandatory Elective is “Sport Pilots & Light Sport Category Aircraft,” which this writer immediately dug into.

The information is presented in a simple, usable fashion, not just a summary of the regs. Throughout the AOPA FIRC, I noted the frequent use of short videos to emphasize important points and relieve one from what could become the tedious task of reading of words. Excellent reference material is provided. During a telephone interview conducted with both Jay and Mary, I did comment that some basic legal details were a bit thin. Mary quickly pointed out that the Mandatory Module “Regulatory, Policy, and Publication Changes and Updates” had a dedicated section titled “MOSAIC,” wherein the regulatory side of Mosaic (especially Sport Pilot Privileges and LSA definition) were detailed. A review of this module disclosed the best format this writer has seen to explain this complex side of MOSAIC. Our person-to-person interview disclosed that the MOSAIC Portion of the AOPA FIRC was written by Mary, (along with responsibility for all content), a very talented CFI! The bottom line is that AOPA is taking the lead in promoting the Sport Pilot side of MOSAIC and seeing to it that important information is finding its way into the day-to-day world of the average CFI. While different from the excellent regulatory details offered in the AOPA FIRC, those wishing more details should visit https://www.aopa.org/ mosaic, to learn more. Between the interview and FIRC review, this old warhorse, who has been fighting for GA since 1956, is delighted to see the battle being taken up by young and talent aviators like Mary Kuen and Jay Wiles.

This writer has written often about MOSAIC (Sport Pilot), with the AOPA program adding some excellent pointers in terms of getting the MOSAIC story into the minds of CFI’s, flight schools and FBO’s. But for the remainder of this editorial, let’s do something different.

How about addressing the Sport Pilot side of MOSAIC in a manner that many readers may encounter in real life? Let’s set the scene for an “editorial stage play.”

Continued on Page 34

December 2025

Practical and Cost-Effective Strategies for New Inspection for Amateur-Built GreenerPrivileges Airport Operations www.inflightusa.com

11

Aircraft May Require New Operating Limitations and Renewability Solutions upgrade. Even the best environmental ways in which GSE innovation direct-

By Frank McGovern

policy, however, requires a thoroughly If you work in the aviation indusThe rule changes implemented by MO- trained, own aircraft if they were not the original, informed, and engaged airside try, you’re that2.0, transitioning to SAIC,aware Sport Pilot on Oct. 22 included primary builder. EAA has long advocated crew. greenera airports andcondition FBOs isinspection a key prilong-sought option for privileges was pleased see Thethese details of theand training will to vary ority – for it’sowners a message that’s been widely of experimental amateur-built them included in the final MOSAIC rule. to each airport or FBO’s communicated.

That In doesn’t mean (E-AB) aircraft. addition to theit’s privi- according One barrier remains for many E-AB situation, but some limitations. are universal for held by E-AB builders with alwaysleges beenalready well communicated. owners: operating No matall personnel.

For example, all airside repairman certificates and certificated FAA ter what the regulation provides, experiFor instance, the process is often holders of light-sport aircraft crew members should receive trainmental aircraft operating limitations take framedmechanics, in terms of a Green Revolution. repairman certificates with an inspection ing priority and have the force of regulation in waste reduction, recycling, and Of course, without question (LSRI)that or ismaintenance (LSRM) an rating water under 14 CFR 91.319(i). aircraft conservation policiesMost and guideadmirable (and necessary) goal. may now perform condition Practiinspections certificated after, at the latest, 1994 have lines. cally, however, of revolutionon E-ABs,the as idea detailed below. Contrary an operating limitation stating that condiMore specific training include ary change is the a daunting for to what names ofprospect these certificates tion inspections may onlygoals be performed ensuring that all ground support equipmay suggest, theseNot privileges apply to all the average business. every airport by amateur-built repairmen, “an FAA-cerment (GSE) and vehicle operators E-ABs, whether or not they meet the uptificated mechanic,” and in some have cases or FBO has the budget for what a revdated parameters for light-sport category the appropriate and credenrepair stations. licensing LSRI and LSRM do not olutionary overhaul seems like it would aircraft. fallDoing into these Carefully tials. so categories. reduces the risk ofreview fuel require. That’s particularly for The LSRI certificate cantrue be obtained youraccidents, aircraft’s unique set of operating limwaste, and chemical or fuel smallerthrough regional a operations.

16-hour course, and applies itations, as there can be significant variaspills. Ensure that anyone working with Thetoreality – there a variety of aircraftisthe holderare owns (FAA sources tion from aircraft to aircraft (particularly volatile, otherwise dangerous have indicated EAA that aircraft owned toxic, straightforward andtocost-effective soluolder aircraft or certificated when standardor polluting substances is likewise through LLCs are acceptable).

The LSRM ized limitations were less common). cretions for transitioning to a greener aviand in compliance with limall certificate and is nominally three-week dentialed In cases where this operating ation business, number ofabenefits course, and grants commercial maintesafety and environmental regulations. itation exists, E-AB owners will need to that reward doing so. nance and inspection privileges for any airobtain new operating limitations to take Finally, management can do its Airside Crew Training and Educraft certificated in the light-sport category, partadvantage of theand newfamiliarizing LSRI and LSRM by creating aircationand now any E-AB. rules.

This is a paperwork exercise with side personnel with clear, well-defined Developing comprehensive These are welcome options envifor many either the owner’s local FSDO or a desfor sustainability practices.

E-ABand owners who, unlike policies experimental SOPs ronmental sustainability ignated airworthinessbestrepresentative Energy Efficiency, Conservation, light-sport aircraft (E-LSA) owners, can(DAR). is a must for any aerodrome’s green not obtain inspection privileges for their

Airports and FBOs tend to have ly contributes to greener airports and Complicating however, is greater power the usematter, requirements than EAAFBOs. highlyNear recommends comthe top carefully of the list are electhat the businesses. document detailing new transiopparing aircraft’s limitations other As athese result, tricthetow tugs operating and pushback tractors. erating is yet to betopublished found inelectric the current revision ofa fleet, tioninglimitations the power supply more sus- to those The more vehicles in due to the ongoing shutdown of the federal 8130.2, and the new version when tainable and renewable options offers Order the less carbon emissions and pollution government. Order 8130.2L will contain released, before deciding. greater potentialto inspectors for energy savings. produced, and the lower theeaa. risk of fuel this new guidance and desigLearn more at the EAA website, One but example is switching LED org.spills and fires. nees, it is not officially an activetodoclightingWeinanticipate not onlythis buildings but also ument. being resolved And the electric GSE movement shortly after theapron, shutdown the runways, andends. taxiways. goes beyond tugs and pushbacks. For Many owners experimental aircraft The size of of airport and FBO strucinstance, compact and efficient elecare wary of updating their operating tures, particularly hangars and limitaterminal tric GSE options include ground powtions. This is understandable, as standard buildings, createschange significant energy er units (GPUs), air conditioning and operating limitations from year to demands.

It also compared means they feature heating units, lavatory and water carts, year.

EAA recently operating a lot of real estate forOrder installing solar and more. Just the use of equipment like limitations issued in FAA 8130.2C panels. Eventomodest panel arrays (1994-1999) 8130.2Ksolar (2024-present) electric GPUs and AC/heating units reand that for most most can found impressively offsetaircraft powerinuse and, Ruleduces changes implemented

by MO-aircraft emissions by servicing use cases there was bills. little fundamental difSAIC include long-sought conditherefore, power If the immediate without thea need to burn fuel by idling. ference.

Someofspecial cases,comprehensive such as turtion inspection option for owners ofvehicles installation a more Not to mention, electric bine aircraft, may have more restrictions experimental amateur-built (E-AB) airport FBO while solarsome power system and equipment quieter than the alin newer or versions, operating aircraft.

In addition are to the privileges isn’t a realistic option, consider updatternative and a quieter airside limitations have actually become more already held by E-AB builders with reduces ing secondary features. For instance, repairman noise pollution andand improves flexible in newer versions. certificates certifi- situationusing solar power for parking areas EAA is exploring other methods for or cated al awareness for personnel. better FAA mechanics, holdersBeing of enabling LSRI and LSRM to perform perimeter fencing will still make ain-dent light-sport repairman able to aircraft hear alarms, radiocertifinstructions, spections E-ABs. For the foreseeable icates an inspection (LSRI) or in energyonuse. andwith shouted warnings reduces the threat future, however, an operating (LSRM) rating may GSE Innovations for limitation a Greener maintenance of accidents that lead to injuries, great update is necessary if the restriction exists. now perform condition inspections Airports and FBOs For owners concerned about updating to EAA/ Thenversion there ofareoperating the many exciting on E-ABs. (Photo courtesy Continued on Page 42 the latest limitations, EAA Sport Aviation Magazine)

March 6, 2022 Noon to 4dates. p.m.

Stay tuned for• our 2026 Open Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including Open Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including A-3 Skywarrior, Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7can Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet T-39 Saberliner, Open Cockpit isA-4 when the museum’s visitors view our famous aircraft including Open Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet T-39 Saberliner, OpenA-3 Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including Mustang P-51 ¾ scale, Cessna 0-2 and a Mig-15.

March 6, 2022 • Noon to 4 p.m.

Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6P-51 Intruder, A-7Cessna Corsair, Harrier T-39jump-Jet, Saberliner, A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier Mustang ¾ scale, 0-2 and ajump-Jet Mig-15.

A-3UH-12 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet T-39including Saberliner, Short Solent Flying Boat walk through tour for an additional fee.

OpenECockpit is when the museum’s visitors can0-2 view our famous aircraft P-51 ¾ scale, Cessna and afor Mig-15.

Hiller Saberliner, Mustang P-51 3⁄4 scale, Cessna and Mig-15.

Short Solent Flying Boat walk through tour an additional fee.0-2, OpenHelicopter,T-39 Cockpit isMustang when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet T-39 Saberliner, Mustang P-51 ¾ scale, Cessna 0-2 and a Mig-15.

Short Solent Flying Boat walk through tour for an additional fee.

Open Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors can view our famous aircraft including Solent Flying Boat tour for an additional fee.

A-3Short Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6walk-through Intruder,can A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet T-39 Saberliner, OpenA-3 Cockpit is when the museum’s visitors view our famous aircraft including Activities during Open Cockpit include: Mustang P-51 ¾ scale, Cessna 0-2 and a Mig-15.

Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair, Harrier jump-Jet T-39 Saberliner, Short Solent Flying Boat walk through tour for an additional fee.

Activities during Open Cockpit Mustang P-51include: ¾ scale, Cessna 0-2 and a Mig-15.

A-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, Corsair, Harrier jump-Jetfee.

T-39 Saberliner, Short Solent Flying Boat walk A-7 through tourand foraan additional Activities during Open Cockpit include: Mustang P-51 ¾ scale, Cessna 0-2 Short Solent during Flying Boat walk through tourDay forMig-15. an additional fee.

Activities Open Cockpit include: • Color Guard.

Mustang P-51Boat ¾ scale, a Mig-15.

Short Solent Flying walk Cessna through0-2 tourand for an additional fee.

Activities during Open Cockpit include: • Color Guard.

• Color Guard Activities during Open Cockpit include: • Color Guard.

Short Solent Flying Boat walk through tour for an additional fee.

Activities duringwill Open include: • Alfredo’s Catering beCockpit offering refreshments for purchase.

Activities during Open Cockpit include: • Live music by The Friends of Ken Band.

• Color Guard.

• Live music

by The Friends of Ken Band.

• Live music

by The Friends of Ken Band • Color Guard.

European Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

Activities during Cockpitofinclude: •• Live music byOpen The Friends Ken Band.

• European Color Guard.

• Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

• Oakland Airport Fire Department Display.

Color Guard.

Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers RCRC aircraft display.

••• European Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

• Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers aircraft display.

• European Train Enthusiasts Exhibit • Live music by The Friends of Ken Band.

• Live music by The Friends of Ken Band.

• ORCA Ham Radio exhibit and demonstration.

• Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers RC aircraft display.

• Color • ORCA Live music by The Friends of Ken Band.

•Guard.

Ham Radio exhibit and demonstration.

• Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers Model Aircraft Exhibit • European Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

European Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

••••ORCA Live music by The Friends of Ken Band.

Simulators available for an additional fee Ham Radio exhibit and demonstration.

European Train Enthusiasts exhibit. fee •• Simulators available for an additional • Ham Radio Demonstration Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers RCRC aircraft display.

•••Simulators European Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

• Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers RC aircraft display. available forCounty an additional fee • Southern Alameda Radio Controllers aircraft display.

• Live music by The Friends of Ken Band.

• Simulators available for an additional fee • ORCA Ham Radio exhibit and demonstration.

• Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers RC aircraft display.

• ORCA Ham Radio exhibit and demonstration.

Open Cockpit day is a isGROUPON Blackout daydaydemonstration.

• ORCA Ham Radio exhibit and Open Cockpit day a GROUPON Blackout • European Train Enthusiasts exhibit.

Simulators for an additional feefee •• ORCA Ham Radio exhibit and Open day isavailable a GROUPON Blackout daydemonstration.

• Simulators available for an additional fee • Cockpit Simulators available for an additional • Southern Alameda County Radio Controllers aircraft display.

8252 Earhart Road, CA 94621 oaklandaviationmuseum.org • Simulators available for an additional fee ••RC 8252 Earhart Road, Oakland, Oakland, CA 94621 oaklandaviationmuseum.org

In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

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December 2025

Archer To Acquire Los Angeles Airport – Hawthorne – As Strategic Air Taxi Network Hub and AI Testbed Archer Aviation, Inc. has signed a series of definitive agreements to acquire control of a one-of-a-kind Los Angeles asset, Hawthorne Airport for $126 million in cash. The company made the announcement on Nov. 6.

The airport is located in the heart of L.A., sits on an 80-acre site and includes approximately 190,000 square feet of terminal, office and hangar facilities. The historic Hawthorne Airport was built in the 1920s and once helped shape Southern California’s aerospace legacy and is also known as Jack Northrop Field.

It is strategically located less than three miles from LAX, and is the closest airport to some of the city’s biggest attractions — SoFi Stadium, The Forum, Intuit Dome, and Downtown L.A. Archer plans for the airport to serve as its operational hub for its planned L.A. air taxi network operations, including serving a key role in the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Archer also plans to utilize the airport as an innovation testbed for the next-generation AI-powered aviation technologies that it is developing and planning to deploy with its airline and technology partners.

This includes AI-powered air traffic and ground operations management, in addition to other key technologies.

The $126 million acquisition price includes the acquisition of the master lease of the Hawthorne Airport, as well as certain subleases held by the seller parties with tenants at the airport. The acquisition price does not include Archer’s rights to purchase a controlling stake in the fixed base operator at the airport, develop additional hangar space at the airport, the potential performance-based earnout to certain seller parties or certain bank debt to be assumed as part of the acquisition.

Note: As of In Flight USA’s press deadline at the end of November, the acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of certain agreed-upon closing conditions.

Archer also on Nov. 6 announced operating and financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025. The

Company issued a shareholder letter discussing those results, as well as its fourth quarter 2025 estimates.

Commenting on third quarter 2025 results, Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO said, “The era of advanced aviation has arrived —not as a distant vision, but as a tangible reality.

At Archer, we are not waiting for the future; we are building it. The time to seize this transformative opportunity is now.”

Archer raised $650 million of additional equity capital, taking its total liquidity to over $2 billion and reinforcing Archer’s sector-leading balance sheet. Moelis & Company LLC acted as lead placement agent and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. acted as joint placement agent to Archer on the Nov. 6 capital raise. Moelis & Company LLC also acted as financial advisor on the Hawthorne Airport acquisition transaction.

In conjunction with acquiring Hawthorne Airport, Archer noted the following accomplishments: • Expanded Midnight’s Piloted Flight Envelope with Record Milestones Archer continued advancing Midnight’s flight test program, completing its longest piloted flight to date, a 55mile flight lasting 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126 mph, and its highest altitude flight, reaching 10,000 feet. Additionally, Midnight flew demonstration flights on both days of the California International Airshow allowing tens of thousands of spectators to experience how quiet the aircraft is in flight.

This flight-testing progress underscores Midnight’s continued path towards performance maturity.

• Acquired Lilium Patent Portfolio, Expanding Global IP Leadership Archer has now closed its acquisition of Lilium’s portfolio of approximately 300 advanced air mobility patent assets for €18M following a competitive bid process. This portfolio gives Archer access to key next-generation technology in ducted fans, high-voltage systems, flight controls, electric engines, and propellers. Following this Continued on Page 27

December 2025

www.inflightusa.com

13

Goodyear Commemorates 100 Years Of Its Airships

By Larry E. Nazimek The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is celebrating 100 years of its airships. Their airships will be visiting more than 100 cities in the U. S. and Europe, so more people will be seeing it than ever before.

Their airships are commonly referred to as “blimps,” but the ones they currently operate are semi-rigid airships. A blimp is like a giant helium filled balloon, so if one were to be deflated, it would simply be a pile of rubber, just like a balloon when the air is let out. Today’s airships are rigid, having an internal frame containing two large bags of helium, so if they were to be deflated, the airship would still stand.

It all began on June 3, 1925, with the launch of the Pilgrim, serving as a public relations device raising brand awareness and name recognition. Back in 1925, television did not exist, meaning the public was not getting bombarded by commercials, so this type of advertising was particularly useful.

Since then, Goodyear’s airships have been to numerous cities and high-interest events. They have also helped in raising funds for various charities and even helped our military in the Second World War. Although the Pilgrim was launched in 1925, Goodyear had been experimenting with lighter-than-air craft since as early as 1910. Paul Licthfield, their first CEO, was an aviation enthusiast who created Goodyear’s Aeronautics Dept. in 1910 in order to expand the company’s rubber offerings beyond tires. This led to the development of balloons and blimp envelopes, and eventually contracts with the Navy to build entire airships. With that expertise in blimps, Goodyear decided to have a commercially owned, branded blimp to

market the company.

From 1942 to 1944 Goodyear built over 150 blimps for the Navy. They flew patrol over warships on the seas with no reported loss of ships when a blimp was there.

Many people have seen the blimps at night with the changing light displays. That all began in 1930 when their Blimp Defender became the first airship in the world to carry a lighted sign.

As Mark Stewart, CEO and President of Goodyear, put it, “The Goodyear Blimp is an enduring symbol of both nostalgia and innovation for fans around the world. With its century-long history and unique ability to instill a sense of wonder in those who experience it – whether from on the ground or in the air, the blimp gives Goodyear a way to connect with the public in a way no other tire company can match.”

Goodyear has built over 325 airships, with the majority being produced for the Navy and Army. There have only been 31 officially designated Goodyear Blimps.

Today’s airships operate out of Suffield (suburb of Akron), Ohio; Pompano Beach, Fla.; and Carson City, Calif. In the past, they each had various names, but today, they are named Wingfoot 1, 2, and 3. Nearly all of Goodyear’s airships have been built at their facility on Wingfoot Lake in Suffield, OH. There is also a Goodyear-branded airship in Europe, based in Essen, Germany, operated by Deutsche ZeppelinReederei GmbH. They are all Zeppelin NT airships (model LZ N07-101), designed

by Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH to Goodyear’s specifications.

They are 246 feet long, 57.5 feet high, with a maximum width of 65 feet.

They have an engine on each side and

Presents

Continued on Page 14

Planes and Coffee

Fly into Gnoss Field here in Marin County just north of San Francisco on the last Saturday of every month to see some airplanes and classic cars here at the SkyShare terminal. There are complimentary coffee and doughnuts along with a 35 cent avgas discount on both our truck and self-serve!

Dash Phillips

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is celebrating 100 years of its airships by touring more than 100 cities in the U. S. and Europe. Here, the airship is flying over a California coastline. (Photo courtesy Goodyear)

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

14

December 2025

Goodyear Continued from Page 13

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one at the tail tip. They pivot in order to provide directional thrust. They weigh 19,700 pounds, but with 300,000 cubic feet of helium, they are lighter than air.

They can fly up to 10,000 feet, but typically cruise at 1,000-1,500 feet AGL at speeds up to 63 knots. Pilots control them with a side-stick fly-by-wire control. They can fly IFR with no problem, but won’t fly in conditions, such as icing, that would add weight to the airship.

For this commemorative tour, instead of their present-day paint scheme of yellow letters and logo over a large dark blue stripe, outlined by yellow, they simply have blue letters and logo with no other background, in order to replicate the paint scheme of the Pilgrim.

Goodyear gets its helium from several sources, and it purifies it every 6 to 8 weeks, since helium is a finite resource.

I got to fly on Wingfoot 1 when it was in the Chicago area, flying out of

the DuPage Airport, for the Lollapalooza music festival.

Goodyear’s pilots come from a variety of backgrounds. For example, the pilots on this flight were Jerry Hissem and Joe Erbs. Hissem came from a general aviation background, while Erbs, a retired Air Force Major, flew the RC135, E-3 AWACS, MC-12, T-1 Jayhawk, and some corporate. Some others have come from the airlines.

Goodyear presently has 10 full-time pilots. They start out with a minimum of a commercial license, followed by approx. 250 hours of training, taking a year, to earn an additional LighterThan-Air Airship rating. For the next year, they will fly with a senior pilot.

All training and check rides are done in house.

The airships travel over 100 days per year, where trips range from three days to three weeks. This requires a crew of 20 whenever it is on the road.

The ground crew launches the airship and travels ahead to recover it.

The windows of the gondola are slanted 17 degrees instead of being vertical, in order to aid passengers in looking down. This includes the bathroom in the back, or as they refer to it, “a loo with a view.”

When they fly over a sporting event, the camera is on a turret that is attached to the front bottom of the gondola, and the operator and his equipment are inside. When the previous blimps covered events, a special panel with a camera mount would replace the door.

After landing, if there will be another flight with different passengers, one passenger disembarks and another gets on, and this is repeated until the swap is complete. If all passengers leaving were to exit at one time, the airship would rise, so every effort is made to maintain a constant weight.

Goodyear rarely gives rides to the public, although this is sometimes done for fundraisers. If you ever get a chance to ride, don’t pass it up. It’s an experience you will never forget.

What Would You Have Done?

This month, CALLBACK again offers the reader a chance to “interact” with the information given in a selection of ASRS reports. In “The First Half of the Story,” you will find report excerpts describing an event or situation up to a point where a specific decision must be made, an immediate action must be taken, or a non-normal condition must be actively managed. You may then exercise your own judgment to make a decision, determine a possible course of action, or devise a plan that might best resolve the situation.

The selected ASRS reports may not provide all the information you want, and you may not be experienced in the type of aircraft involved, but each incident should give you a chance to refine your aviation judgment and decision-making skills. In “The Rest of the Story…” you will find the actions that were taken by reporters in response to each situation. Bear in mind that their decisions may not necessarily represent the best course of action, and there may not be a “right” answer. Our intent is to stimulate thought, training, and discussion related to these reported incidents.

The First Half of the Story Part 91 – On the Beach A Small Single Engine Aircraft Pilot’s Report ■ I departed my home base…for a short pleasure flight. Clear skies prevailed with visibility unlimited and winds out of the north at approximately 10 knots. I planned to fly over the lake. As I approached the north end of the lake, I saw a beach along the lake that was aligned with the wind and made the decision to -

What Would You Have Done?

Part 121 – Taking Action A Commercial Fixed Wing Aircraft FO’s Report ■ Immediately after the “clear to pull chocks” from the ground crew, the Captain released the parking brakes, and we started rolling backward. I believe the ground crew said, “Wait I’m here connected.” As we continued to roll, the Captain and ground crew continued to communicate, and I heard the ground crew saying, “Wait, the headset’s hooked up to the plane.” I made direct

eye contact with the Captain and told him we needed to stop several times.

I could hear the ground crew saying something like, “Stop, I’m under here connected to the plane; you’re moving too fast.” I told the Captain it’s an emergency; we need to stop now. After no response…and hearing the ground personnel struggle,

What Would You Have Done?

Part 121 – An Unexplained Shutdown An A321 Check Airman’s Report ■ During a single-engine taxi for departure, Engine One experienced an uncommanded rollback and shutdown, accompanied by an EGT rise. I was conducting OE (Operating Experience) with a new Captain on his second flight.

As the Number Two Engine was stabilizing, the Flight Attendant contacted the flight deck regarding a possible medical situation in the cabin. While I was addressing the medical issue, the Captain in training observed an abnormal EGT rise on Engine One. He brought this to my attention, and I Continued on Page 25

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

16

December 2025

Recent Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) Gathering in Miami

By Paul T. Glessner, M.S., Associate Editor If you ever have your eyes set on dabbling in business jets, “CJI” is the place to be. Alasdair and Louisa Whyte founded the organization in 2010 and have been going like gangbusters since by adding helicopters and yachts and more. This was my first CJI symposium and I was blown away by the level of content, subject matter, executives, hands-on jet brokers, capital bankers, aviation attorneys, pilots and – students; 650 in attendance was stout.

I would not be doing this pointed ar-

Some of the elite aviation executives and entrepreneurs (Photo Courtesy Paul T. Glessner)

ticle any good if I did not list some of the panel discussions that covered November 4-6th. Golf, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and liquid gatherings were aplenty to engage the hundreds in conversation and camaraderie. The event was held again at the historic Fontainebleau Hotel and is right next to the Atlantic Ocean by ‘feet.’ It was a stellar and most enjoyable venue.

• Where are we in the business aviation cycle?

Do we still believe in the post-Covid bounce?

Will fractionals keep growing?

• What is attracting institutional investors to invest in the private aviation sector?

Discussion of recent financing and investment activity.

• Identifying market risks Are OEMs over-exposed to fleet buyers? / Have post-Covid buyers stayed?

• Built to endure: Transforming from founder-led to investor ready The importance of intangibles / The case for systems, teams and scalability / Multiples and EBITDAR

Typical full audience levels for each of the three days’ panels.(Photo Courtesy Paul T. Glessner)

The incredible sponsors in attendance (Photo Courtesy Paul T. Glessner)

• The OEM view > Michael Amalfitano, Embraer Executive Jets • Are there enough deals for everyone, The future of aircraft financing / Banks vs alternative lenders / Where are the gaps?

• The drivers and obstacles to biz av growth Retaining pilots and maintenance personnel / Can programs and part supply chain keep up?

• Getting ahead of regulatory issues Managing tariffs and trade / Influencing air traffic control transformation / Continued on Page 19

The author, Paul T. Glessner and the CJI’s Founder, Alasdair Whyte (Photo Courtesy Paul T. Glessner)

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December 2025

City of Boulder, Colorado, Will Not Appeal Recent Airport Ruling The City of Boulder, Co., has made a decision not to appeal a recent court ruling in a case it filed last fall related to the Boulder Municipal Airport. The deadline for this decision passed on Friday, Nov. 14.

The announcement came from the City of Boulder, bouldercolorado.gov.

Last year, the city challenged the feder-

al government’s position that a 1991 grant of $5,800 obligates the city to operate the Boulder Municipal Airport forever. The United States District Court granted the federal government’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, finding that a determination about the city’s obligation was premature. The court dismissed the case without prejudice.

After evaluating the ruling, the city has decided not to file an appeal. The city’s policy question around land use remains on hold at this time.

As there was no judicial answer to the city’s question of whether the United States can obligate the city to run the airport in perpetuity, the city continues to maintain that it

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is only obligated to operate the airport until May 2040, when the 20-year duration of its most recent federal grant will expire.

In the meantime, the city will continue to prioritize funding critical safety measures, such as pavement remediation, to operate the airport in compliance with all federal requirements. The city is exploring options to support aging infrastructure needs, as well as innovations such as exploring unleaded fuel options, with the airport fund and alternative grants that do not require city obligations for an extended time into the future.

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CJI Gathering Continued from Page 16 Key issues from the ICAO General Assembly / Is cyber the new ADS-B? • What is next for Vista? USA versus the rest of the world / Leona Qi, Vista

• Why Uber for jets may finally become a reality Simplifying the charter experience / AI versus industry expertise / Speeding up booking • Due South: Why Latin American is rising Where is the demand coming from? / Managing unique deal issues /Opportunities for dealmakers

• Don’t call it a comeback: The real TAM Selling business aviation / How can you reach the next generation of buyers - Kenny Dichter, REAL • Everyone talks about innovation.

Few talk about what powers it • Oklahoma! Where the FAA goes registering the planes Is the N-Reg losing its attraction? / Balancing privacy and practicality • O Canada!

What aircraft are Canadians buying? / Judging the impact of the luxury tax / How fast is the market growing?

• Innovating to improve customer experience Why customers embrace some technologies / How customer experience is improving

• Finding value in the pre-owned market Where can investors get the best returns / When does an aircraft become old?

• How customer needs are changing What causes the biggest headaches? / Changes from the post-lockdown boom / Are we seeing a slow move from ownership?

• Forecasting the next 10 years What is driving buyers? / Which regions will lead? /Key trends to follow

• The academic and commercial reality of inflight connectivity • Navigating off-market and pre-market deals Cutting through the chaff and chancers / How brokers can find real opportunities • WhatsApp in the skies – jet sharing issues What is the problem? / Do charter passengers care if it is legal?

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

November 2025

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

December 2025

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A Tribute to Tracy Forrest Sharing the gift of AirVenture

By Paul T. Glessner, M.S., EAA 1270226 - Associate Editor I have been inherently interested in aircraft ever since I was a youngster.

My father would take the family to Philadelphia International Airport after some of our Sunday dinners out to just sit in a designated parking area to watch aircraft taxi to the end of the runway literally 100 feet from the fence line.

There, the aviation bug bit me and after some nine years later at age 16, I took the Piper Cherokee 140 off with white knuckles and all. I had never flown an airplane before, but I had an inherent adeptness to be one with the airplane as the hours accrued. I was hooked!

In 2000, I attended EAA’s AirVenture for the very first time. I had always heard of it, but it would be a trek from Los Angeles, where I had been living since 1987 working for Lockheed in Burbank. After that year, I didn’t go again until 17 years later.

My career has always been either designing and/or flight-testing engineering aircraft like the B-717, F-22, CH-148, F-35, Mooney M10T and more. While at Chino Airport working for Mooney, I attended the 2016 Living Legends of Aviation at the Beverly Hilton and that is where I met EAA benefactor and construction mogul, Tracy Forrest, EAA Lifetime 623251. I think he took a liking to me, hopefully for a few reasons, but perhaps because I would get four tickets to tour Jay Leno’s Garage for the silent auction, (and he bought them three years in a row).

Months later, Tracy called me up and asked me if I would like to attend AirVenture. I told him that I would lose a lot of income being a contractor with no paid leave opportunity, so I had to turn him down. A year later, in 2017, he unbelievably asked me again. How thoughtful. I had left Mooney and my schedule was wide-open. I agreed to go, and I was so grateful to be asked again.

It is difficult for one to turn down any invite from a colleague. It was awkward but luckily it turned out great a year later.

Terry Forrest and his Citation Mustang. (Courtesy of Paul T. Glessner) Now you have to understand that I was in the dark as to where I was going to stay. So, after several emailed attempts at hinting if I was sleeping in a tent or what, he finally said, “When you go to the Four Seasons Hotel in L.A., do you ask the valet if there is a refrigerator and microwave in the room?”

He said to fill out the questionnaire his secretary would email me. The form asked about the airplane in which I was flying to Oshkosh in. Where would it be parked? What would I like to eat?

Funny, right? “Flying coach in an Airliner. Appleton Airport. 1% milk, Raisin Bran, bananas and apples, Diet Coke, and some energy bars, please,” I responded.

Tracy personally picks me up at ATW at 10:30 p.m., drives me to Camp Scholler, and on the way slaps a manila envelope on my lap. “In there is everything you will need. Just follow the agenda. Wednesday is different.

We meet earlier in the afternoon on Wednesday.” In the envelope was every

Terry Forrest and author at an earlier NBAA event. (Courtesy Paul T. Glessner)

wristband I would ever need for every dinner gathering that mattered like The Gathering and more. We rolled into Camp Scholler and his Ford Explorer’s lights were shown on a modern motor home. My name was on a small sign outside of this motor home not unlike some movie star’s bungalow. It had A/C, hot and cold running water, Wi-Fi, a shower, and in the refrigerator was 1% milk, Raisin Bran, bananas and apples, Diet Coke, and some energy bars.

Unbelievable. I washed up and stepped outside to meet Tracy and Cyrus Sigari of JetAviva to have a beer together after a day of traveling.

Seriously, how can any future AirVenture trip ever top this one? All thanks to Tracy.

Over the years, I have always realized that being a part of EAA had worth or benefits, [so] I became an EAA member in the late summer of 2019.

Tracy Forrest, 70, president of the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation and past president and founder of the Citation Jet Pilots Association is remembered as a philanthropist, an accomplished pilot, and a mentor to the next generation of aviators. The Winter Park Construction founder died in Florida of brain cancer on Oct. 12, 2020. A mutual friend, Mike Herman, EAA Lifetime 264039, misses him, saying, “Tracy Forrest was the kindest, most thoughtful, person I know... He always did for others and never asked for [anything].”

My next AirVenture trip was in 2021 as I made an edict with myself to attend every year as a gift to myself as an aviation enthusiast. My 2017 AirVenture stay with Tracy was only some five days long. Now I have learned. There is too much to see and thus now I stay Saturday to the following Monday and soak it all in as one should. Why not? I would be there with 650,000 of my best friends, pilots.

The level and quality of people one meets, and the presentations, physical product booths and movies shown at AirVenture are, I feel, unequaled in depth and breadth. Thank you, Tracy.

22

In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

December 2025

Slide Show With the sale of the RV-9A looming, it was time to sort the pictures, instrument panel screen captures, and documentation – but not the presentations nor videos, which are who knows where across the computer. Total size of the mess was 198 MB, and today’s task was sorting the screen captures. A lot of those were forgettable, but I was surprised which ones brought back the memories – it was the screen captures that had a map with weather radar superimposed.

Like this one, dated July 22, 2016.

The backstory was that I wanted to build seaplane time so that I could go for ATP / single engine sea, and my 13 hours were well short of the 50 hours in category / class that the FAA required.

(I was asleep at the switch when the

number of required hours went up to 50…) So I found a seaplane school in Louisiana where the operator was going to fly his SuperCup up to Oshkosh.

Bingo! Lotsa hours, to and from.

I flew the RV-9A over to his airport and spent the night on the sofa in the shed where he lived when in town, pretty rustic. I had shipped my clothes on ahead, but camera, laptop, and two days of clothes made for a heavy backpack.

We got in the SuperCub and did a circling takeoff in the pond/lake where he was based. We got off after a while, but I was nervous as we circled in a seemingly steep bank at a seemingly low altitude. We did get off, and it was definitely different to watch the Louisiana fields and farms mosey past the

floats close below in formation on either side.

Our first stop was some lake somewhere in northern Louisiana. We taxied up to the dock at the end of which was a convenience store, so rustic that most rednecks would turn up their noses at it. The counter lady was a very friendly, wizened 60-year old. After a while, two men greeted as regular customers, came in from their job with the county, working on roads or something, and purchased their normal half pint hundred proof lunches.

With the plane fueled, we got back in and attempted to take off in the hot, calm day. There was little wind to help, and the Cub struggled. We tried everything, trying to reduce hydrodynamic drag by crossing our own wake, but when the oil temperature got up to 240-degrees, it was time to call it quits.

The pilot called home base for somebody to come pick me up at the local airport, and somehow I got a ride over there. That airport had three rows of shelters, none of which had a dustfree airplane of recent vintage, but one row did have two airplanes. Back at the “real” airport, I pre-flighted the RV-9A, checked the weather, and launched.

I don’t recall where I got the radar picture on the ground, but I figured that with 150 knots of cruise speed, I could easily enough do an end around the magnificent line of thunderstorms

blocking my route north. That’s them in the picture above, where I’m 40 miles away from turning north to Oshkosh.

Next day, I flew the Ripon approach to Oshkosh, maybe the last time I flew into Oshkosh instead of a nearby airport, and enjoyed Wisconsin. My hosts took me to the Fon du Lac County Fair where their daughter had entered her steer. Days later, the Martin Mars flying boat demoed a water drop. The Canadian Snowbirds, my favorite jet exhibition team (sorry, USAF and Navy) flew, and I also saw my old (deceased) friend’s showplane Navion and talked with the new owners.

The EAA Chaplain, a great guy to talk with, had his Laister LP-49 sailplane there, a type certificated airplane that was built from a kit. (!) And on the memorial hill above the chapel, I happened to find the name of my uncle’s friend, EAA 44, who gave me one of my first airplane rides in his Navion.

A Bücker Jungmeister flew in the airshow, and I had been looking forward to seeing an aerobatic routine that was not frenetic like the monoplanes typically flew. As I recall, it was sedate, maybe too sedate. BTW, Count Aresti, who came up with the aerobatic scoring system, knew the Jungmeister well and assigned low scores to maneuvers that the Jungmeister could do easily, like snap rolls. Vertical maneuvers, which

keep new pilots motivated as they improve their skills.

IFUSA: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Ruko: Yes — at Ruko, our brand philosophy has always been centered around one idea: “Connect Families, Create Joy.” We believe drones are more than just flying devices; they’re tools that bring people together. Whether it’s parents teaching their kids to fly for the first time, families capturing travel memories, or friends enjoying a new hobby, we love seeing our products spark connection and happiness.

To continue delivering that experience, we place great importance on continuous product improvement and thoughtful innovation. We’re always listening to customer feedback and re-

fining every detail, from flight stability to imaging quality to ease of use.

We’re also excited about what’s coming next. Our U11MINI 4K will receive a built-in screen controller in December, making flying even more convenient for beginners and travelers. In addition, two new models — the F11PRO 3 and F11GIM3 — are currently in development and will be released in the coming months.

At Ruko, we’re committed to creating drones that are fun, reliable, and accessible to everyone — and we can’t wait to share the next generation with our users.

IFUSA: Thank you.

Continued on Page 37

Ruko Continued from Page 9 under construction, allowing them to capture aerial updates safely and easily.

Others rely on our drones during hiking, river tracing, or RV trips to scout ahead in areas that may be difficult — or too dangerous — to access on foot.

These real-world use cases show that even entry-level drones can become valuable tools when paired with clear imaging and stable flight performance. While our focus remains on making drones fun and beginner-friendly, we’re proud that many users have found meaningful ways to use them in their everyday lives.

IFUSA: Which drone do you recommend to the beginner (non-licensed) drone pilot)?

Ruko: All of our drones are designed with beginners in mind — that’s the core of the Ruko brand. But if I had to recommend just one model for a new, non-licensed pilot, it would be the U11MINI 4K. It’s our newest drone, offering a balanced price point, and it’s extremely compact and easy to carry. For beginners, portability really matters. When a drone is simple to bring along, people are more likely to take it outside, practice more, and truly enjoy flying. If a drone is bulky or inconvenient to pack, new users often fly it only a few times before leaving it unused at home.

The U11MINI 4K solves that problem perfectly: it’s lightweight, beginner-friendly, and powerful enough to

December 2025

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2424

In Flight USA USA Celebrating Celebrating41 41Years Years

November 2025 December 2025

December 2025

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What Would You Have Done?

Continued from Page 14

What Would You Have Done?

Part 135 – A Mountain Approach A Fractional Transport Aircraft FO’s Report ■ It was my first trip into Aspen, working for Company. The weather was CAVOK (Ceiling And Visibility OK).

I had loaded the RNAV-F. The two remaining approaches in the FMC database were the localizer to 15 and another RNAV approach, which we did not have a plate for. The PM noticed the RNAV-F did not have a runway associated with it. It was decided that a RNWY EXT would be used in lieu of the localizer approach because it would provide vertical guidance using VNAV. Due to time pressure, being vectored for the approach, the PM neglected to change the glideslope angle from 3° to 3.5°. Though high on the…VNAV path, a soft terrain warning was followed by a hard terrain warning.

What Would You Have Done?

The Rest of the Story Part 91 – On the Beach ■ land there. I circled the area at about 500’ AGL to make sure there were no people, vessels or structures anywhere near the area I planned to land. I set up for a half-mile final…dropped my flaps, and slowed to approach speed. I verified again the beach looked clear with no obstacles or people. I touched down on my main gear as slow as practical and immediately decelerated in soft mud. The aircraft slowly went over on its nose, but not all the way over - the tail did not strike.… I unbuckled and lowered myself against the windshield and roof. I turned off the mags and master switch. I waited for authorities to arrive. I had no injuries, and there was no damage to any property. In hindsight, it was a completely stupid decision… to land there.… I should know better than to do…this. There were no aircraft anomalies and no reason for me

to land there. It took a brief moment of “aviation fun” to re-learn an important lesson.… I’m never too old to learn. I deeply regret this lapse in judgement.

First Half of Situation #2 Part 121 – Taking Action ■ I quickly applied the brakes to stop the aircraft. The stop was abrupt in order to prevent potential injury to ground crew and to prevent us from entering an active taxiway. Two Flight Attendants had fallen from the quick stop. We returned to the gate to get them cleared

by Medical and to have the aircraft checked out for any maintenance irregularities to ensure safety. Both Flight Attendants were cleared by EMS, and the airplane was inspected by the Captain with no irregularities detected. No passenger injuries were reported.…

Review and have detailed briefings on airport power-out notes. Follow ground communication procedures and ensure we understand instructions before taking actions.

First Half of Situation #3 Part 121 – An Unexplained Shutdown ■ re-engaged fully with the flight deck.

We observed that Engine One had shut down by itself, with no visible signs of distress or damage. The ECAM displayed an “ENGINE 1 FAIL” message and suggested an engine restart if no damage was suspected. Given the simultaneous cabin and engine concerns, I coordinated with…Ground to taxi using only Engine Two to a safe area to address both issues. The Flight Attendant later confirmed that the cabin issue had resolved favorably, as the passenger was simply a nervous flyer. I then contacted Maintenance Control for guidance and diagnosis regarding the engine issue. Maintenance reviewed their data and indicated that the fault appeared to be related to the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Electronic Control). They advised that a reset would likely resolve the issue. I informed Maintenance Control that the Captain in training had observed a redline EGT Continued on Page 34

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Nestled in the Chandelle aviation community, 1004 Brockman Rd offers a rare blend of practicality and possibility. Built in 2000 on a oneacre lot, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home spans 3,776 sq ft of heated living space-including a spacious 492 sq ft bonus room above the detached 3-bay garage.

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The property includes a 3-bay garage with a room above, 62’x42’ airplane hangar added in 2010. A deeded taxiway easement connects the hangar to SC72-a 3,700-foot paved and lighted FAA-approved runway, with a parallel grass strip for added flexibility.

Chandelle Aviation Estates Airpark (SC72) The runway is 3,700’ paved and lighted. A parallel grass runway is beside it.

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December 2025

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Hawthorne Continued from Page 12 acquisition Archer’s patent portfolio is now over 1,000 global assets and one of the strongest portfolios in the sector.

• UAE Commercial Deployment Underway; Expanding Global Footprint with Key APAC Carriers Archer commenced Midnight test and demonstration flights in Abu Dhabi this summer and has now begun to receive payments for its ongoing Launch Edition program activities in the UAE. The company continues to make progress through the UAE’s regulatory pathway toward in-country certification of Midnight to unlock commercial passenger-carrying flights. Archer also strengthened its global commercial pipeline with leading air carriers in both Korea and Japan. In Korea, Archer was selected as Korean Air’s exclusive

air taxi partner in the country. In Japan, Archer’s Midnight aircraft was chosen to participate in planned projects in both Osaka and Tokyo through Archer’s partnership with Japan Airlines and Sumitomo’s joint venture, Soracle.

• Third Quarter Bottomline: In the third quarter of 2025, Archer Aviation reported a net loss of approximately $130 million on revenue of $2.81 million, meeting revenue forecasts but falling short of profit expectations due to heavy investment in development and expansion. The company ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $1.64 billion but also announced a significant strategic move to acquire Hawthorne Airport for $126 million to use as an operational hub for its air taxi network.

To learn more about Archer, visit their website at archer.com.

27

Archer Named Exclusive Air Taxi Partner For The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) recently announced Archer as its exclusive Air Taxi Partner. As part of this designation, Archer will serve as an Official Host City Supporter for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 and as an Official Super Bowl LXI Host Committee Partner.

This partnership actively expands Archer’s presence in Los Angeles by allowing the company to leverage upcoming global events to build excitement for the arrival of air taxis to the region. In conjunction with LASEC, Archer plans to engage with community leaders, elected officials and millions of Southern California residents as it lays the foundation for its planned air taxi flights ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games.

Archer’s partnership with LASEC builds on the company’s broader efforts to launch an air taxi network in Los Angeles, connecting key transportation corridors ahead of 2028 and beyond. With vertiports planned across the region and strong partnerships with leading airlines and infrastructure providers, Archer’s goal is to make air taxis a reality for Los Angeles residents and visitors in the coming years.

In the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles, Archer will support the Host Committee’s programs to connect with local communities. Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO, will become a member of the ChampionLA Core Leadership Group, and Miles Rogers, Archer’s Chief Marketing Officer, will join the LASEC Advisory Board to provide LASEC with additional strategic support.

“Los Angeles is about to host some of the most iconic events in the world and we’re honored to join LASEC in support of the mission to ensure those events leave a lasting legacy that benefits the community for decades to come,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “With so many iconic events on the horizon, we’re proud to partner with Archer to highlight the future of urban air mobility and the unique experience it can provide for visitors to Los Angeles,” said Kathryn Schloessman, President & CEO of LASEC and CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee. “Archer’s Midnight aircraft presents game-changing technology that can help transform the way people get around Los Angeles while reinforcing the city’s role as a global leader in forward-thinking, transformative experiences.”

Archer’s Midnight aircraft is designed to replace long, traffic-congested car trips with safe, quiet electric air taxi flights. With the Los Angeles region set to welcome millions of fans, athletes, and visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ and Super Bowl LXI, Archer will use this moment to highlight how electric air taxis are poised to transform urban mobility.

For more information about Archer Aviation and LASEC’s initiatives around the upcoming major events, visit LASEC.net, Losangelesfwc26.com, and archer.com.

Image depicts Archer’s development plans for Hawthorne Airport.

(Image courtesy Archer)

Archer will serve as official host-city-supporter for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 and official partner for the Super Bowl LXI Host Committee. (This photo is of a simulated flight. Image courtesy Archer)

Mommy Look Continued from Page 7 “should,” “probably,” must not be the final answer to an intuitive feeling that a problem exists. Another important issue often mentioned by the FAA, and proven many times by the great publication, “CALLBACK,” distributed monthly through the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS CALLBACK - Aviation Safety Reporting

System) is the problem presented by having a pre-flight interrupted midway through the process. Interruptions are very likely the most common reason for oil and fuel caps being loose or missing. A failure to latch a door properly or close a baggage hatch are also at the top on the “interruption” list.

While the walk-around is often the center of interest in preflight inspections, our advanced technology planes, and those

older machines that have been upgraded, come with another whole set of pre-flight demands. More and more, NTSB investigations are pointed to advance display or autopilots that have not been programmed correctly as a contributing cause to an accident.

These devices frequently demand the use of a checklist, often placed in a seat pocket and forgotten as the PIC becomes familiar with

the most used modes of operation. That might work in routine situations, but should any flight be considered “routine?” Flying and airplane is never a “green zone” event.

Always fly with your personal “amber caution light” illuminated. No, this is not negative thinking, it is simply being hyper aware of what is going on around you. Being able to “hear” your plane talk might just bring a new edge of adventure to every flight.

In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

28

December 2025

One of the truly great things about being an aviation buff is the number of “Goodies and Gadgets” available to play with. Here In Flight USA has collected a few new ones worthy of your consideration.

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. has been the supplier that aircraft builders, owners, pilots, and aviation businesses have depended on since 1965. They carry a wide selection of aircraft parts, building materials, avionics, and pilot supplies, all of which are offered on their website (www.aircraftspruce.com) and in the famous Aircraft Spruce catalog, now over 1,000-pages available for download or for free in print. You can depend on Aircraft Spruce for prompt shipping and competitive pricing on all orders.

Gift Items for the Pilot and Flight Enthusiast from Aircraft Spruce Happy Holidays from Aircraft Spruce The team at Aircraft Spruce is wishing all a happy holiday season.

With thousands of products available, Aircraft Spruce has everything to bring joy to a pilot, to keep him or her safe and meet both needs and wants! Don’t hesitate to call (1-877-477-7823) directly for product information or even gift ideas for the pilot or aviation enthusiast on your list. Meanwhile, here are some top gift selections.

Flight Outfitters Flight Deck Pro Bag Ready for flight-level performance from your flight bag? Introducing the Flight Deck Pro from Flight Outfitters.

It’s the perfect solution for pilots who are tired of struggling with clunky bags or cheap alternatives. Stylish yet practical — and ready to hang from your suitcase’s J-hook — the Flight Deck Pro features 30 pockets to protect your essential gear. With a mix of quick-access elastic pouches and secure-zip pockets, it’s easy to organize your headset, iPad, flashlight, pens, and all your must-have items. The well-planned layout ensures that all your gear is easily accessible in flight, and the classic black style meets airline uniforms policies. The bag measures 21-inches long by 5.5-inches wide and 15-inches high. It sells for $129.95.

Aithre Shield 4.0 Carbon Monoxide Detector With iOS App in White The gift of safety…

The Aithre Shield 4.0 auto-pairs to your iOS device using the free Aithre Connect app. Readings are collected and graphed in the background and Siri notifies you via your iOS-paired headset when thresholds are crossed. In addition to the app, the Aithre Shield 4.0 itself also has a glowing light

indication of the CO levels and an alarm that is triggered at 50 ppm. The Shield 4.0 portable detector is sensitive and responsive at the lowest levels of CO gas between 0 and 255 ppm to detect and manage CO before it becomes an emergency. With no recalibration required for 10 years, you’ll enjoy many years of safe flying with the Aithre Shield 4.0.

Each unit sells for $150.

Garmin D2 Mach 2 Aviator Smartwatch D2™ Mach 2 is the most highly evolved Garmin aviator smartwatch to date. It combines classic aviation styling with a durable DLC-coated titanium bezel, sapphire lens, bright 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, advanced flight mapping and powerful built-in LED flashlight. D2 Mach 2 has convenient tools for every phase of flight, including an on-device aeronautical database, HSI and Direct-to navigation. Access NEXRAD, METARs and TAFs — plus set personal minimums to stay ahead of the weather (when paired with your smartphone). The built-in speaker and microphone let you make and take calls from your wrist when your watch is paired with your smartphone. Use voice commands to get METAR information, start a flight, select a destination airport and more. Advanced health and fitness features help keep you on top of your game with strength training plans, daily suggested workouts and monitoring of heart rate, respiration, stress, sleep and more (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked). With up to 26 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (51mm variant, 14 days for 47mm variant), D2 Mach 2 is powered for life on the go.

The watch is available with a 51mm titanium band for $1,499.99 or in a 47mm leather band for $1,349.99.

Aircraft Spruce carries a variety of Garmin watches. Visit their website for more options (aircraftspruce.com).

uAvionix SkyFYX-Ext GPS All-InOne Receiver And Antenna

SkyFYX combines a high precision WAAS GNSS sensor with an integrated RAIM processor. Resilient against jamming, spoofing and GPS range errors— SkyFYX provides reliable navigation in challenging environments. SkyFYX is the most affordable ADS-B rule-compliant position source companion for the echoUAT ADS-B transceiver.

The SkyFYX meets the performance requirements of 14 CFR 91.227. For use in Experimental and LSA aircraft. Each

unit sells for $550.

Ghosts Calendar WWII - A Time Remembered Step back in time with the Ghosts WWII 2026 Wall Calendar, featuring the 46th edition of the ultimate aviation calendar. This collector’s item showcases 12 magnificent air-to-air color photographs by master aviation photographer Philip Makanna. Each image captures the combat aircraft of World War II in stunning detail, set against breathtaking landscapes. Every month presents an opportunity to admire these historical aircrafts, with each page suitable for framing.

This calendar not only serves as a functional planner but also as a piece of art, offering a monthly change of scenery with each turn of the page. It’s an ideal gift for history enthusiasts, veterans, or anyone fascinated by World War II aviation.

Secure your copy of the Ghosts WWII 2026 Wall Calendar today and keep history alive throughout the year! Each calendar sells for $17.65.

Yaesu Vertex FTA 550 VHF Handheld Radio – AA Battery Pack The Yaesu FTA-550 is packed with features, yet very affordable.

Boasting an oversize full dot matrix LCD display, the FTA-550 Airband Transceiver provides full communication on the Aircraft communications Band and additionally provides VOR and LOC navigation features on the “NAV” band. The FTA-550 includes NOAA weather band monitoring and the capability of programming up to 200 memory channels with a quick and easy channel recall feature. The brand new easy to operate menu system is icon driven making it simple to navigate through all of the powerful features this transceiver has to offer. Additionally the FTA-550 can easily be reprogrammed in minutes using the optional PC Programming software and the supplied USB programming cable.

Note: The FTA-550 AA comes with an Alkaline Battery Tray (it does not include a Rechargeable Battery). Each unit sells for $199.

Red Canoe North American Mustang T-Shirt

Jet A-1 celebrates exceptional aircraft and the passion, dreams and perseverance of those who brought them to life.

The tee-shirt comes in sizes medium to XX-large and sells for $46.50. Aircraft Spruce has a large variety of t-shirts. Visit their website (aircraftspruce.com) for many options.

Happy Holidays The entire team at Aircraft Spruce wishes everyone a very happy holiday season and all the best in the new year!

December 2025

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

30

December 2025

DOT & FAA Announce Termination of FAA Emergency Order, Return to Normal Operations U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford on Nov. 16 announced that the agency’s flight reduction emergency order would be terminated on Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 a.m., meaning normal operations resumed across the National

Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA safety team recommended the termination of the order following their detailed reviews of safety trends and the steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities.

“I want to thank the FAA’s dedicated safety team for keeping our skies

AOPA President and CEO states, “general aviation is an essential part of our nation’s transportation and economic fabric. This kind of blanket exclusion cannot become the norm.” (Photo by Chris Rose, courtesy AOPA)

Real

Aviation News from

Real

Aviation Journalists

Visit AvBrief.com and sign up for the free newsletter.

secure during the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history and the country’s patience for putting safety first. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Now we can refocus our efforts on surging controller hiring and building the brand new, state of the art air traffic control system the American people deserve.”

“Today’s decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the NAS and allows us to return to normal operations,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “I am grateful for the hard work of the FAA safety and operations teams and for their focus on the safety of the traveling public.”

Staffing levels have continued to snap back into place since the end of the government shutdown. The positive trend line continued over the weekend,

with six staffing triggers on Friday, Nov. 14, eight on Saturday, Nov. 15, and only one staffing trigger on Sunday, Nov. 16. That’s in contrast to a record high of 81 staffing triggers on Nov. 8. The current data aligns with staffing conditions before the shutdown.

The following restrictions also ended: • Limits on some general aviation operations at 12 airports • Limits on some visual flight rule approaches at facilities with staffing triggers • Limits on commercial space launches and reentries to the hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time • Limits on parachute operations and photo missions near facilities with staffing triggers The FAA is aware of reports of non-compliance by carriers over the Continued on Page 42

December 2025

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

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December 2025

What Would You Have Done?

Continued from Page 25 rise during the event, however, Maintenance stated that no EGT exceedance was recorded in their data, and we did not have any exceedance indication in the flight deck.… Additionally, subsequent to our flight, Maintenance confirmed that our flight history showed no EGT exceedance. Following Maintenance’s direction, we performed a FADEC reset. Before attempting an engine restart, I recommended conducting a dry motor to clear any residual fuel, which Maintenance agreed with. The subsequent engine start was normal with all engine parameters within lim-

its. During takeoff, engine indications, including EGT and fuel flow, were normal and within 10 degrees of each other. Cruise checks also indicated normal operation. After departure, I noticed a red marking on the EGT gauge that had not been previously observed during ground operations, possibly due to expectation bias. Out of an abundance of caution, I notified Dispatch and Maintenance Control to meet the flight upon arrival. While further reviewing the situation, I retrieved a data printout left onboard from the previous flight.… Upon review, I noticed evidence suggesting similar engine issues had occurred twice on the inbound

flight. Based on this information and the symptoms experienced, I elected to request a more thorough inspection by Maintenance before the aircraft was returned to service.

Sport Pilot, saying I could get a license faster and cheaper. What is really best, take a look at Sport Pilot or just go for a Private Pilot license, like my friend has?

CFI: Actually, while they are two different certificates, with Sport Pilot having some restrictions, you should not think of having to make a choice. Obtaining a Sport Pilot Certificate is just a natural step in obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate. Your friend is right, you can get to Sport Pilot in less than half the total training time, typically taking less than 90 days and about 30 hours flying time. The average cost to reach Sport Pilot is about $6K, including ground school, written exam and checkride. All of your Sport

Pilot time and training counts towards the Private Certificate, which usually comes up to about 60 hours of total flying time and includes instrument training and night flying. If it turns out that Sport Pilot does not do the job for you, you can just figure in another 30 hours or so flying time, a written exam, and another check ride. Your total cost would then be about $12K, exactly what you would have spent if going for the Private Pilot at the beginning. Both the Sport Pilot and Private Pilot certificates have FAA required flight time that is less than I just mentioned, but the numbers I gave you are reasonable averages based upon experience.

PS: You mentioned Sport Pilot has

First Half of Situation #4 Part 135 – A Mountain Approach ■ In good VMC conditions, the descent rate was shallow, and the terrain was visually cleared. The approach was continued to a landing. The GPWS provided appropriate terrain warnings. Terrain avoidance was done visually. During the course of the flight, I inquired as to what approach we may get into Aspen.

It was my understanding that Company

had a tailored approach to Runway 15.

The database only had two approaches that the crew had plates for. The database was checked to be current prior to the 1st flight of the day. The crew was late doing the approach checklist due to a late start getting landing data. The descent rate was shallowed, but not enough to prevent the terrain warning. The approach was continued with the terrain in sight to a landing.…

I should’ve gone around.

NOTE TO READERS: ■ or ■ Indicates an ASRS report narrative [ ] Indicates clarification made by ASRS

Editorial Continued from Page 10 Our main character is a person who has always wanted to learn to fly. Our prospective student (hereafter referred to as “PS”) visits a local flight school to talk to a well-informed and professional CFI. Going a step further in setting our scene, this flight school is located at a popular, non-towered, GA airport just to the East of a major Midwest city with a busy Class C airline terminal nearby. The CFI in question owns the flight school and has two other CFIs on staff. With full flight and ground school services, they even have an Advanced Aviation Training Device (FAA approved simulator) with two very nice Piper PA-151 Warriors on the line (classic six pack with updated avionics) that rent for $175 per hour wet. Dual goes for $50 per hour with the simulator only costing $25 per hour. Written exam prep and checkrides cost extra. Does this sound like a flight school that might be located in your area? If so, perhaps the following “discussion” will answer some questions for you and especially for friends you may be encouraging to share your passion for flying.

Our prospective student enters the neat and orderly flight school to be greeted by a pleasant and informed receptionist. Upon learning that our prospective student has questions about flight training, an introduction is made to the owner/ CFI. The two sit comfortably at a table which has supporting brochures readily available. The curtain goes up and we “listen in.”

PS: I have been flying with a friend for several years in his Cessna 172 and decided it is time for me to take the leap and go for a pilot license, but I am a bit confused. My buddy, who is a Private Pilot, told me about this new license called

some restrictions. Would I be able to fly around to local airports, air shows and family get-togethers like my friend does?

CFI: Absolutely, as a Sport Pilot you have full Pilot-In-Command privileges.

You mentioned your friend flies a Cessna 172. Would I be correct in assuming that most of your flights are during the daytime and to small airports? Do you often fly with more than just you and your friend?

PS: Some of the airports have control towers, but no airline activity. Usually, it is just me and my friend. I would like to have my spouse fly with me to visit her Continued on Page 35

Rebel Air

Aviation Articles • Flight Patches The Criminal Charges Against the FAA

An article of criminal behavior, no oversight, and above all the malice of FAA personnel.

Website:

Captthatguy.com YouTube:

Capt. Robert “That Guy” Riter

December 2025

www.inflightusa.com

35

Editorial Continued from Page 34 parents who live two States north of here, but our kids are grown and would probably not travel with us. The Cessna 172 is the only small plane in which I have flown. All of my flying has been done during the day.

CFI: Great, you are describing ex-

actly what Sport Pilot is intended for.

You can fly planes like the Cessna 172, our Piper Warriors, and many other similar light planes. With extra training and endorsements in your flight records, you can even fly some high-performance planes with retractable landing gear and controllable pitch propellers. There are no limits on flying cross-country. The au-

thority to fly into an airport with a tower simply requires a bit more training and a flight record endorsement, something I typically include in our standard Sport Pilot program.

PS: Can you summarize the advantages and disadvantages of starting out with Sport Pilot?

CFI: One of the biggest advantages

is there is no need to participate in the FAA Aero Medical bureaucracy. Sport Pilot simply relies on you having a valid drivers license and good common sense regarding your health, alcohol, and medication use. The biggest downside to the Sport Pilot Certificate is being limited to only one passenger, even though you may be flying a great four-place airplane.

For some, that is a deal breaker, they will need to transition up to a Private Pilot Certificate, requiring interface with FAA AeroMed at least once. But even with the need to carry more than one passenger, starting out with a Sport Pilot Certificate makes sense. The extra flight time required to become a Private Pilot that would otherwise have to be solo (with all kinds of endorsement required), can be done with you flying as a fully certificated pilot with a friend on board while using the plane for practical travel purposes.

PS: Given fewer hours of training, is a Sport Pilot as skilled as a private pilot?

CFI: You bet! Both certificates require a check ride to high standards, virtually identical in terms of basic “stick and rudder” skills. The Sport Pilot written exam is 40 questions instead of 60, theoretically easier. But the Sport Pilot can take extra training and obtain endorsements (not check rides or written exams) that make Sport Pilot knowledge identical to a Private Pilot. The Sport Pilot certificate is designed to train to specific standards, not just minimum hour requirements. The Private Pilot Certificate is still linked to having minimum hours of specific training, even if the student demonstrates good skills in less time.

PS: How complicated is it to get started in training?

CFI: What are your plans for the next several hours? I can issue you a Student Pilot certificate immediately. We can set you up with the books needed and lesson plans right now. Once our enrollment paperwork is done, we will head out to the plane and begin our first flight training lesson. How about right now… ready to go?

Sure, a huge number of details are left to be discussed, but does the new student really care about the stalling speed with flaps up at this point? Our CFI knows his Warrior is good to go. Given this prospective student’s low level of technical knowledge, is a discussion about retractable gear, controllable pitch prop or night flight really needed? The fact is, by taking our CFI’s suggestion to start “right now,” our new student is on the way to becoming a pilot. Once a Sport Pilot, our new aviation fan will have the knowledge needed to assess the next move, be it to stay as a Sport Pilot or move right up to ATP. Let’s not make MOSAIC so complicated that students get scared away.

AOPA has the ball rolling in educating CFIs. Hopefully, our readers will help push it along.

In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

36 36

November 2025 December 2025

NBAA-BACE Keynote Showcases Industry’s Switchback Helicopters Chooses StrapVital OverRole in Driving Safety, Cable Supporting Business, Inspiration For New HangarFostering Door NBAA President and CEO Ed BoCanadian sealen During took thethe keynote stagewildfire on opening son,ofhistorically between the months day the 2025 NBAA Business Aviaof May through&September, team tion Convention Exhibition the (NBAAat Switchback in Calgary, BACE) for “an Helicopters absolute celebration of Alb., is on call. The pilots ferrynot people business aviation” and its role only and equipment to fires and and taketechnopart in in driving economic growth fire suppression efforts by hauling walogical innovation, but also in inspiring ter buckets to and from hot spots.

On future generations to aim higher. the“We’re ground, athevital maintenance crew keeps link in the global Switchback helicopters in top working transportation system,” Bolen said. order so they can respond to calls.

“We“Our create jobs. We help companies main business is firefighting,” be efficient and productive in anwith insaid Kurt Vickery, hangar manager tensely competitive global marketplace.

Switchback Helicopters.

We Playing provide ahumanitarian assistance to vital role during this busy those in need, and we on is a mission time and throughout theare year, Switchto net-zero.

It is great to be part of back’s 13,000-square-foot hangar anda great industry.” it’s 60-foot by 19-foot Schweiss Doors Bolenbifold emphasized that hangar safety proalso liftstrap door. The remains of paramount importancespace not vides storage and maintenance only in the business aviation communifor the aircraft while the bifold door ty but throughout all other industry secmakes it easy to move the helicopters in tors following and out quickly.a series of high profile, fatal“Because accidentsofearlier this year.and qualthe reliability ity “We of Schweiss have had zero saw the doors, entire we aviation commuissues with together our door,” Mike Freinity coming on said the plan to build din, Switchback Helicopter’s co-found-

a brand-new air traffic control system,” er and maintenance manager.

Bolen said. “Airlines, airports, labor, story[and] started with all Switchback’s of general aviation alignment three men, aviation enthusiasts who between theallpresident, the secretary of worked for theboth same largeofCanadian transportation, houses Congress helicopter operator.

Whenthat thatweoperator and a public demanding build a entered into creditor protection, the trio new ATC system.” of Freidin, Brian MacPherson andaudiJeff Bolen also recognized in the Groom set off on their own. ence the two most recent enshrinees “WeNational decidedAviation we were Hall at a point that to the of Fame, was now or never,” Freidin said. aviation safety consultant and former They set up in a 2,000-square-foot NTSB member John Goglia and NBAA hangar at the Springback Airport and Chair Emeritus Gen. LloydHelicopters.

“Fig” Newestablished Switchback ton.

“We’ve gotten to our point today In addition to firefighting, the compaby standing on the shoulders of giants,” ny also provides charter flights and inhe said.scanning services, used to find frared Steuart Walton: Aviation isamong a Tool animals, fires and individuals southwestern mountains and to ‘Connect, Alberta’s Meet and See What’s forests.

Going On’ Switchback’s fleet is anchored by Aviator, entrepreneur and business two AStar B3 Walton helicopters.

This type of leader Steuart then joined Bolen helicopter is widelyMeritorious used by law ento receive NBAA’s Service forcement firefighting as they are to Aviationand Award, the association’s well-equipped to fly in the challenging highest honor. airspace aroundtomountains. such In addition serving as One a director helicopter even landed on top of Mount Everest.

for Walmart, Walton is the co-founder Switchback hadAerospace the opportuandWhen chairman of Game and nity to build aleader new hangar with athe parta prominent in fostering dener at the airport, they took They velopment of advanced air it. mobility hired Ironwood of Cal(AAM) aircraft.Building He alsoCorp. restores and gary to erect a 13,000-square-foot flies a variety of vintage aircraft, hansome gar, whichare alsoonincludes of which display office duringspace.

NBAAOne at thing Switchback BACE the the NBAA Aircraftfounders Connecliked about their original hangar was tion at Henderson Executive Airport the Schweiss door.

They’d seen prob(HND). lems with other doors, such as cables Those aircraft, along with Walton’s failing, and had no intention of taking work to make Thaden Field (VBT) in such a gamble on installing a different Bentonville, hubhangar. of community brand door onAR, theiranew activities both related to aviation and “We knew that was the way we not, serve an important purpose in his wanted to go,” Freidin said. “When we life. the hangar, we knew we were putbuilt is just an absolutely unting“Aviation on a Schweiss door.” paralleled platform for inspiration They ordered a 60-foot by 19-footto young folks, people for the liftstrap bifoldor door, with looking four windows. opportunity find both a new career,”decisaid The windowstowere a design Walton. more youascan that sion and a“The safety feature theytell allow story about what what workers to see whataviation is goingisonand outside it can be, you people’s eyes to it. the hangar whenopen the door is closed.

“We strapthat system And the like morethe people comeof intotheit, Schweiss Doors bifold door as opposed the stronger it gets.”

Business aviation has also played a Continued on Page 38

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. (Photo Helicopters courtesy NBAA) Switchback operates in Calgary, Alb. The company’s vital part inis Walmart’s growth, frominthe homebase Springback Airport early days when Steuart’s grandfather, a 13,000-square-foot hangar with a Sam Walton, flew Doors a two-seat Ercoupe 60-foot Schweiss liftstrap bito visit stores, to now operating one of fold door. The AStar B3 helicopters the largest business aircraft fleets in the ofworld.

Switchback Helicopters are the perfect vehicle to traverse above the wooded andContinued mountainous ter- 38 on Page rain of southwestern Alberta.

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Slide Show Continued from Page 22 were difficult in the Jungmeister, received high degree of difficult marks.

I also got a press ride in a SeaRey amphibian for a pilot report, and I really like that little plane. However, my surgically repaired spine was not interested in the jarring ride that a seaplane gives, making me sort of glad I didn’t have to tolerate the Louisiana round trip. We did taxi past the Martin Mars at anchor, and it was totally impressive looking up at it from the low riding SeaRey. I did see that Cub fly over at the seaplane base. I wished them well.

On the way home, there were more

storms over Kentucky. Despite the red splotches, these storms were not all that frisky, and it was easy enough to fly VFR underneath them and avoid the rain shafts. That strategy is certainly preferable to flying into an embedded cell.

I hadn’t remembered what a great trip that was till I sorted the pictures, and how cool that year’s Oshkosh was – not to mention the people I got to be with – but I’m running out of roundups, as the cowboy song goes, and don’t anticipate going back to Oshkosh next year.

I wonder what God has in store for me next.

37

In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

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December 2025

Switchback Helicopters Continued from Page 36 to the cable system,” Vickery said.

“And we wanted to be able to see out to our helipads and we also wanted the natural light.”

The Switchback door also has Schweiss Doors’ automatic strap latch locking system, which pulls the door against the building and tightly latches it closed without any assistance from the operator. This is a big positive in an area that can get high winds.

Through the process of ordering and installing the new Schweiss doors, Switchback learned two lessons. The first was to find a knowledgeable installer if you don’t plan to install the door yourself. Freidin said they ended up having to find a second installer when the first was unable to correctly finish the job. Schweiss Doors provides customers with a list of qualified installers around their local region.

“It had nothing to do with Schweiss Doors,” Freidin said, adding the second installer found the instructions from Schweiss to be easy to follow.

“They were pretty happy with the installation.”

The second lesson was to think of

the future when ordering, not only the door, but when designing the building, as well. While the building and door perfectly meet current needs, Freidin said they wish they had made both bigger, so the business could grow without having to worry about running out of space.

“The advice is plan for the future growth,” Vickery said. “Don’t focus on the now, focus on where you are going and then planning accordingly for your width and height.”

Looking forward, Switchback Helicopters would be more than happy to purchase a Schweiss door for any future hangar projects and they would be quick to recommend Schweiss Doors to others.

“Oh, yeah, absolutely,” Vickery says.

“In a heartbeat,” Freidin says.

About Schweiss Doors Schweiss Doors are custom made to any size for any type of new or existing building for architects and builders determined to do amazing things with their buildings, including the doors.

Schweiss also offers a cable to liftstrap conversion package. For more information, visit www.bifold.com.

The team at Switchback liked the reliability and quality of the Schweiss bifold door and knew they wanted it for the new space. There was no question about installing any other kind of door on the new hangar.

The door’s width and height allow for ease of movement for the helicopters in Switchback’s fleet.

The Schweiss bifold door on the Switchback Helicopter hangar is clad in the same metal sheeting as the rest of the hangar and has four windows.

The windows not only let in natural light into the hangar but also provide a view to the helipad when the door is closed. Kurt Vickery, hangar manager for Switchback, said the company likes the lift strap technology of the Schweiss bifold door because it is much more reliable than a cable door.

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

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AOPA EDITORIAL

My Inaugural Year: A Lot To Learn, A Lot To Do

By Darren Pleasance, AOPA President and CEO My first year as your AOPA president has been full of surprises. I have been overwhelmed and impressed by how much AOPA offers and does for its members. It’s been a key point in my meetings across the country — the way AOPA supports your aviation journey, the way AOPA helps preserve the freedom to fly, and the world-class service AOPA provides its members — and, as I close out my first year in this incredible job, the way AOPA advocates for its members.

From the halls of Congress to state houses across the country to federal agencies, AOPA gets things done, and I have learned this repeatedly in the past year. It’s an honor and an unprecedented privilege to watch your association at work and to lead the charge. AOPA is the voice of general aviation, and as I have walked the hallways of our nation’s capital and taken calls from FAA Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup, spoken with policy makers at the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies, and testified before Congress, I have learned the strength and respect of our voice. We have strength in numbers, strength in our collective voice, and influence in our relationships across the aisles.

Learning how the machine works has been a priority during my first year.

With the guidance of AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and

Advocacy Jim Coon, posals to privatize our I have discovered how nation’s air traffic control industry-shaping legsystem. This year, we have islation is carried out been working behind the and seen how it is descenes as a core member pendent on our forged of the Modern Skies Coarelationships with key lition to bring the aviation stakeholders and their industry together — GA, staff. Jim and his team airlines, policy makers, launderstand who cham- Darren Pleasance, AOPA bor, and manufacturers — pions a particular is- President and CEO. to focus on modernizing sue, who appreciates (Photo courtesy Darren the system. This industry the economic benefits Pleasance and AOPA) unity is somewhat unprecof general aviation, edented, but it shows that and who actively supports GA. Conwe are stronger when we work together, gressional staff matter greatly to leadas this effort resulted in a $12.5 billion ers in Congress; our leaders deal with down payment to get our nation’s ATC many types of legislation, so they rely modernization effort underway. heavily on their staff to determine • Since 2017, more than 90,000 U.S. which perspectives align most closely pilots have qualified to fly safely with with the agenda they have to serve their BasicMed. Because of AOPA, the constituents.

FAA reauthorization bill increased Because we are in Washington, the weight of aircraft that can be D.C., every day, we are a respected flown under BasicMed, and the numand effective voice for GA. We’ve won ber of seats and passengers in those game-changing legislative victories— aircraft. And we will keep advocatand are working to achieve others — ing for additional reforms to some of such as defeating ATC privatization efthese operational limitations. forts, expanding BasicMed, protecting • AOPA is pushing hard against an pilot privacy, ensuring ADS-B is used FAA-proposed policy change that to enhance safety, addressing medical would result in an automatic denial health reforms for pilots, improving for a pilot submitting an incomplete the designated pilot examiner program, medical application. Our medical and ensuring a safe and smart transition education efforts make sure the FAA to unleaded fuel — just to name a few. has what it needs without hurting AOPA carries your voice to the halls pilots, and these efforts, combined of Congress, our federal agencies, and with the strong partnership with Dr. state legislatures across the country.

Northrup and her team, have resulted • AOPA has beaten back past proin improvements in wait times and

outcomes for special issuance medicals.

• There’s nothing magic about age 70 — or any other age, but many insurance underwriters believe differently.

We are working to get coverage options for older pilots that acknowledge their flying skills, experience, frequency, and proficiency, regardless of age.

• ADS-B was never meant to be a tool to impose fees; AOPA strongly supports the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, which would prohibit airports from collecting fees from pilots based on ADS-B data. We’ll need your help to get that bill passed, so stay tuned for outreach from us to contact your Congressional representatives.

Never could I have imagined being a part of the wide variety of measures that AOPA undertakes to keep GA alive and vibrant. Having seen how anemic GA is in other countries around the world, the work that AOPA does on behalf of pilots and aircraft owners makes me proud to be at the helm of such an important and influential organization.

I’m one small cog in this vast system, but AOPA has a strong, clear voice.

I’m proud to say this has been a very successful inaugural year. Bring it on, 2026!

AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance is a CFII and has flown more than 8,000 hours in more than 80 different aircraft. You can reach him by email at darren@aopa.org.

Textron Halts Bonanza, Baron Lines

By Jim Moore, AOPA Eight decades after the Beechcraft Bonanza made its first flight, Textron Aviation confirmed production will soon end on the venerable six-seat single — along with the Bonanza’s twin-engine piston sibling, the Baron.

A Textron Aviation spokesperson emailed a statement on the decision Nov. 20, after pages for both piston models were removed from the company website: Textron.com.

“As part of Textron Aviation’s prod-

uct investment plan, the company will end production of the Beechcraft Baron G58 and Beechcraft Bonanza G36 models once all current orders are fulfilled,” the company said. “Known for their power and craftsmanship, the Baron and Bonanza aircraft have been cornerstones of the company’s leadership in the piston market for nearly eight decades. More than 6,000 Baron and 18,000 Bonanza aircraft have been delivered worldwide.”

General Aviation Manufacturers As-

sociation annual shipment reports show sales of both models slowed to a trickle in recent years — 13 Bonanzas and 23 Barons were delivered in 2017¬ before deliveries of both models stopped cold during the COVID-19 pandemic: zero for 2021, the same year that Textron Aviation announced a 75th anniversary special edition Bonanza was available for delivery in 2022, with modern avionics and a retro color scheme. Just three Bonanzas (no Barons) were reported sold in 2022, followed by five

of each model in 2023, followed by five Bonanzas and two Barons in 2024.

Cirrus Aircraft, meanwhile, sold fourseat piston singles and seven-seat jets by the dozens, or even hundreds, year after year.

American Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Tom Turner wrote that Textron Aviation has assured his organization that Textron will continue to provide parts and engineering support for both models.

Continued from Page 43

December 2025

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In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

December 2025

Termination of FAA Emergency Order Continued from Page 30 course of the emergency order. The agency is reviewing and assessing enforcement options.

Learn more at the FAA website, faa. gov.

Background: Closing Airspace Sets a “Horrible Precedent”

AOPA Pushes Back On GA Ban, Renewed Privatization Push

By Jay Wiles, AOPA AOPA expressed concern about the FAA’s ban on most general aviation flights to 12 major airports as a result of the operational cutbacks that remained in effect during and after government shutdown, having been imposed days after the FAA ordered airline operators to cut back their schedules at 40 major U.S. airports.

The first order, which went into effect on Nov. 7, said GA operations could be reduced by as much as 10 percent at affected airports.

Days later, the FAA issued NOTAMS, which went into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern time on Nov. 10, restricting GA operations at the following airports with very few exceptions that include aircraft based at those airports, law enforcement, medical, and firefighting: • Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) • General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS) • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) • Denver International Airport (DEN) • Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) • George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas was already closed to transient GA traffic prior to the order.

The government shutdown ended late on Nov. 12, and the FAA issued a

revised order, capping the cuts for airlines at 6 percent, but kept the ban on GA operations at the same 12 airports.

The agency’s flight reduction emergency was finally terminated on Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 a.m.

In response to the bans on GA operations, AOPA President Darren Pleasance emphasized that while AOPA understands the extraordinary strain on the system and the dedicated professionals working without pay, access must remain fair and consistent for all users.

“We are deeply sympathetic to the traveling public and the air traffic controllers who continue to work tirelessly under immense pressure without compensation,” said Pleasance. “But general aviation is an essential part of our nation’s transportation and economic fabric. This kind of blanket exclusion cannot become the norm.”

“It was certainly appropriate for the FAA to equitably reduce aircraft operations on all users of our nation’s public-use aviation system due to the government shutdown. However, the decision over the weekend (Nov. 8-9) to completely lock out all general and business aviation at a number of airports across the country is a disproportionate response. Any flight reductions should be based solely on ensuring safety and not for economic purposes,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon.

“Our national airspace system has always thrived on fair and equitable access. Banning general aviation operations — even at a small number of airports — sets a horrible precedent.

General aviation is just as critical to our nation’s infrastructure as commercial operations and should not be penalized in this way,” said AOPA Director of Airspace, Air Traffic, and Security Jim McClay.

Some have also used this situation to renew calls for privatizing the ATC system. Earlier this year, as the ongoing ATC modernization efforts were getting underway, the entire aviation industry — along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy — united against privatization.

“The aviation industry has moved on from the divisive and repeatedly failed push for so-called ‘privatization.’

Now is the time to focus on updating our air traffic system and invest in our controller workforce,” said Coon.

“Through the Modern Skies Coalition,

the entire aviation industry stands behind modernizing our air traffic control system, which is focused on replacing outdated technology to ensure continued safety and system efficiencies.

“Privatization — or handing over our aviation system to private interests — will not solve the challenges we face today,” added Coon. “Supporters of privatization often point to systems in Canada, the U.K., and elsewhere as examples, but they all face their own staffing shortages, delays, and funding challenges. The U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Congress, and the aviation industry are committed to modernizing our system for the traveling public and this should be the focus going

forward.”

AOPA also strongly supports the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which was introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) earlier this year, along with a House version introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.). The legislation would ensure the FAA continues to operate during government shutdowns.

“It’s not just the aviation industry that feels the effects of government shutdowns — it’s the traveling public at large who are needlessly impacted,” said Coon. “Senator Moran’s bill is now more important than ever to ensure the uncertainty and travel impacts we’ve seen in recent weeks never happen again.”

Learn more at the AOPA website, aopa.org.

NATA: FAA Cancels Emergency Order, Restores GA Access to Airports After a more than a week of mandatory flight reductions and restrictions on airport access, NATA welcomed the resumption of normal operations throughout the National Airspace System on Nov. 17. Citing a steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities, the FAA cancelled an Emergency Order that had reduced flights at 40 high impact airports and prohibited most general aviation operations at 12 of the largest airports.

The 40 affected high-impact airport list included: ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport International Airport ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International International Airport Airport BOS – Boston Logan International LAX – Los Angeles International Airport Airport LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport BWI – Baltimore/Washington MCO – Orlando International Airport International Airport MDW – Chicago Midway International CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport Airport MEM – Memphis International Airport CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky MIA – Miami International Airport International Airport MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul DAL – Dallas Love Field International Airport DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington OAK – Oakland International Airport National Airport ONT – Ontario International Airport DEN – Denver International Airport ORD – Chicago O’Hare International DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Airport PDX – Portland International Airport DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne PHL – Philadelphia International Airport County Airport PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport Airport SAN – San Diego International Airport FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood SDF – Louisville International Airport International Airport SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International HNL – Honolulu International Airport Airport HOU – William P. Hobby Airport SFO – San Francisco International IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport Airport SLC – Salt Lake City International IAH – George Bush Houston Airport Intercontinental Airport TEB – Teterboro Airport IND – Indianapolis International Airport TPA – Tampa International Airport “Our members’ adaptability and professionalism once again underscored the indispensable role of the aviation business community in sustaining our national airspace system,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “This experience also underscored what we’ve long known — air charter and general aviation operations place minimal strain on major airports and the air traffic control system.

“NATA will continue working with policymakers and industry partners to support a smooth transition back to normal operations and to advocate for long-term solutions that protect the resilience and reliability of our aviation infrastructure,” said Castagna.

Learn more at the NATA website, nata.aero.

December 2025

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Textron Continued from Page 40 “With continued parts support from Textron Aviation, the large aftermarket that has grown around the product line over the decades, the passion of Beech owners, and the support of the American Bonanza Society and the ABS Air Safety Foundation, Bonanzas, Debonairs, Barons and Travel Airs still have a long and bright future,” Turner wrote.

The original Model 35 Bonanza first flew on Dec. 22, 1945, the manifestation of Walter Beech’s desire to apply the military aeronautical advances achieved during World War II to a civilian model that had six seats, boasted superior speed, and “cut a swath through general aviation like a timeshare salesman through a clutch of snowbirds,” according to AOPA’s aircraft guide. Derivatives included the Model 33 Debonair introduced in 1960, and a military version adapted for surveillance missions during the Vietnam War, the QU– 22B Pave Eagle, which married a Bonanza fuselage to the wings and landing gear of a Baron.

Earthrounder Adrian Eichhorn circumnavigated east-west in 2016, and flew over the north pole in 2021 in his P35 Bonanza. He also mentored fellow earthrounder Shinji Maeda, who flew a nearly identical Bonanza around the world east-west that same year.

The Baron marked 50 years in

43

American Aircraft Sales Co. 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS–NEW LOCATION production in 2010 (four years before Beechcraft was acquired by Textron) with an anniversary edition of the G58 that featured Garmin avionics and optional weather radar, since the nose was not occupied by an engine or propeller.

Aviation writer Pete Bedell credited the Baron’s impressive longevity to a design that “simply works.”

“If you need to move four people and their gear 600 nm in three hours, there are several airplanes to meet the mission,” Bedell wrote. “But do they have twin-engine redundancy and its resulting reassurance, known-ice capability, weather radar, the ability to get in and out of short/unimproved airstrips, or a service network that consists of, say, basically any mechanic in the country? For these reasons, there has been a Baron in the lineup at Beechcraft for five decades.”

AOPA more recently used another Baron to demonstrate unleaded fuel alongside traditional avgas.

The company statement described the discontinuation of the last two Beechcraft piston models as a “strategic shift” that “will enable Textron Aviation to focus on welcoming the (single-engine turbine) Beechcraft Denali to its product portfolio while thoughtfully assessing future investments within this segment.”

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231000.TFN 1968 Nanchang CJ-6 Chinese warbird.

Reliable Day/VFR, light weight. Apollo GX-65 nav/com, Digital Xpndr., intercom, Delco alternator. New seat cushions and canopy glass. Includes all support equipment, wing jacks, manu- als, spare parts.

Much more! $70,000. Located N. Calif., text/cell (530) 957-9760, dennis@nickson.biz. 24900:11 1966 Piper PA30 Twin Camanche for sale near Oceanside, CA. Call for pricing. Andrew Wignot, (760) 717-0640.

241100:12

JETS Small Manned Aerial Radar Target, Model 1. Tiny jet aircraft, long-range tank. SMART-1, Tucson, AZ, (202) 2132400, smart-1.us.

5/21

SPORT/ULTRALIGHTS RV12i5. Total performance perfected.

Easy to build, fly and own. Van’s Aircraft www.vansaircraft.com.

11/18

Bristell LSA 915 Turbo, 180 mph @18,000. Bristell Aircraft, (516) 658-1847. bristellaircraft.com.

2/24

STOL The STOL Super Breezy with fully covered fuselage. Yakima Aerosport, (509) 453-3412, superbreezy.com.

5/23

AIRCRAFT SALES AIDS Aviation Sales & Marketing by ABCI. Ideal for a startup or side hustle in the aviation industry. (702) 987-1679 or aviationsalestraining.com/startup.

1/21

FLIGHT INSTRUCTION Sunshine Flyers. Flight & tailwheel instruction, rentals, mountain flying, and aerobatics., Auburn, CA, (530) 820-3442, sunshineflyersaviation@gmail.com. 3/20

Arizona Type Ratings

CE-500/CE-525 type ratings or recurrent.

Insurance approved, staff examiner. arizonatyperatings.com, (602) 614-7994.

9309:TFN Recurrent pilot training and services.

L/D Aerospace, Grace Passmore, (916) 790-0501, ldaerospace.com.

1/22 Fly for fun or career. Discovery flights, pilot training, AOPA Distinguished Flight School & Cessna Pilot Center. Smith Aviation, Napa County Airport, (707) 3456526, mikesmithaviation.com.

4/22 Come fly with us! CFIs encouraged to apply. For more information, call Sue Clark/RV to the Rescue at 925-997-4778

MAINTENANCE/INSPECTIONS XL Aviation - Aircraft Maintenance.

Custom-tailored programs for all aircraft.

Livermore, CA, (925) 961-6135, xlaviationtailwheel.com.

8/20

RESTORATIONS Iconic Aircraft Restoration. Repairs, refurbishments, parts fabricated, consulting at reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 379-9092.

8/21 Custom aircraft & high-quality composite parts. Aviation Composites, Sandersville, GA, (937) 243-7303.

1/22

FBOS Serving the GA Community since 1981.

Wisconsin Aviation, Watertown Municipal Airport, WI, (920) 261-4567, WisconsinAviation.com.

3/13 World’s largest network of FBOs with over 200 locations offering consistent, exceptional service. Signature Flight Support, signatureflight.com.

4/23

Full-service center. Vista Aviation, Whiteman Airport, Pacoima, CA, (818) 896-5224, vistaair.com 9/23

AVIONICS Avionics for Every Mission. All major brands. Airtronics, Calaveras County Airport, CA, airtronicsavionics.com, (209) 736-9400.

11/14 Basic installs to complete panel and glass retrofits. Pacific Coast Avionics, (800) 353-0370, PCA.aero.

7/15

Update your avionics. FAA-Certified repair station. Treasure Coast Avionics, Ft. Pierce, FL, (772) 464-3148, treasurecoastavionics.com.

2/23

AIRCRAFT PARTS Keeping “classic” aircraft flying since 1946. Univair Aircraft Corp., Aurora, CO, (888) 433-5433, univair.com.

3/21 Iconic Aircraft Restoration for all the classics. Reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 347-1909.

2/23 SAVAGE Magneto Service since 1946.

Hayward, CA, (510) 782-7081, 2/23 Wingtips with total lighting solutions, aveoengineering.com.

9/23

PROPELLERS Aviation wood, composite or metal propellers. Sensenich, (813) 752-3711, (717) 569-0435 or sensenich.com. 4/21

OXYGEN SUPPLIES Cannula or Mask? For aircraft service ceil- ings to FL180 & FL250. Ask “The Oxygen Lady,” info@aviationoxygen.com 4720:TFN 2/23

AVIATION SAFETY Innovative aviation safety solutions and Parachute Recovery Systems for a variety of aircraft, including for sport, UAVs, more. AviationSafetyResources.com.

2/22 Get ahead of your daily in-flight risks with SAFETYLINQ flight risk assessment. argus.aero/safetylinq.

1/22

AIRCRAFT FINANCING Get Top Retail Value for Your Aircraft!

Sell now! Find your dream aircraft! Shop now! Become an area broker with one of the largest networks in the U.S.! Visit our USA Aircraft Brokers page on Facebook or visit usaaircraft.com.

9/23

INSURANCE Specializing in personal, business and charter aircraft. Best price, cover- age & customer service. Zanette Aircraft Insurance Center, (650) 593-3030, (888) 7233358.

10/06 Insurance solutions for all aviation-related services. Business Aviation Insurance, bizavins.com, (925) 825-1900.

7/20

AVIATION CONSULTANTS Informed, accurate aircraft appraisals. jetvaluesjeremy.com, (636) 751-3987.

7/20

Complete Aviation Sales & Marketing Services. Use Promo Code “INFLIGHT” to save 10%. AviationBusinessConsultants.com/Lab, (702) 987-1679.

4/23

PILOT SUPPLIES No cheap imitation watches at HME! Special pricing on ATP series multi- functional watches with Altimeter. To order or for information, (323) 464-6660 or hmewatch.com.

11/16 Aircraft Spruce & Specialty. Free 700page catalog, Corona, CA, & Peachtree City, GA, aircraftspruce.com.

10/06 Protective covers for every make and model. Bruce’s Custom Covers, Morgan Hill, CA, (800) 777-6405, (408) 738-3959, aircraftcovers.com.10/19 Apparel as unique as your journey.

Discounts to members. AOPA Pilot Gear, aopapilotgear.com.

9/21 Mountain Bike, Full-size, pilot-friendly, rugged. FLATBIKE, flatbike.com. 10/18

AVIATION RESOURCES Emergency services, group trips, consulting services. BizAvJets, Inc., Business Aviation Services, bizavjets.com, (702) 465-2027.

10/20 Wherever business takes you. Navigate It. (575) 615-2091, vatit.com.

10/21 Scheduling Software that connects to your flight department. Simple, affordable. airplanemanager.com.

9/22

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

FUEL Fuel Cells. Repair, overhaul or new with 10-year warranty. Hartwig Aircraft Fuel Cell Repair, hartwigfuelcell.com.

2/09 Home of GAMIjectors® fuel injectors!

STCs and PMAs on over 300 different engine models! General Aviation Modifications, Ada, OK, (888) 359-4264, (580) 436-4833, gami.inc.

3/23

Aero & Marine Tax Pros Legally avoid sales tax on your aircraft purchase. In El Grove, CA, (916) 691-9192, aeromarinetaxpros.com.

18500:TFN Left Seat Pilot Medical Solutions. A confidential solution for pilot medical certification. Free FAA medical consultations. Left Seat, (800) 699-4457.

1/21 Global Aircraft Group. USPAP bank values for all aircraft, aircraft management, insurance claims & certified aircraft appraisals. Mark Parry, (855) 6GBL- AIR, (413) 335-7507.

4/22

At Thirty1 Hybrid, we help aviation companies, including flight schools, manufacturers, mechanics, brokers, and more, build a cohesive website that positively impacts their bottomline. And it’s not just a website — it’s an Experience.

We’ll take your prospects on a journey they’ll love (and you’ll love, too — because the final destination is a new client and more money in your pocket). It’s a win-win for everyone!

Contact us today at hello@thirty1hybrid. com or by visiting thirty1hybrid.com.

24500:6

PILOT POSITION WANTED SoCal pilot desires Turbine/Jet SIC time.

Comm/Instru/Multi-Eng with SIC for Gulfstream G-IV and scores of hours in the Citation V560. Many years of aircraft design/ flight test/aerospace industry experience.

Willing to travel as needed (and for repositioning). Contact Paul at (562) 714-6686 or ptglessner@ aol.com.

23700:TFN

HELP WANTED

IN FLIGHT USA, the leading source of general aviation news, seeks writers and photographers to cover all aspects of aviHANGARS/TIEDOWNS ation. Send an SASE for writer’s guidelines One-piece doors. Hydraulic or bifold. to: In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San MaTFN Schweissdoors.com,(800)746-8273. teo, CA 94402.

1/15 Oakland Aviation Museum recruiting Aviation Building Systems, custom de- volunteers. Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100, signed hangars. R&M Steel Co., Cald- oaklandaviationmuseum.org. 12/23 well, ID, (208) 454-1800, aviationbuildingsystem.com, (866) 454-1800 51217:TFN

HOMES/AIRPARKS New Runway & Taxiway Homesites Available in amentity-rich community, Granbury, TX. From $179,900. Pecan Plantation, AviationHomesites. com, (833) 273-2159.

2/24

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Become an Aircraft Broker — #1 Largest USA Network of Aircraft Start with USA’s proved system for listing and selling everything from high-performance single-engine airplanes, cabin class through jets, and helicopters & jet fractional shares. Includes multi-million-dollar inventory to start.

Complete turnkey proved system.

No experience necessary. Will train.

Licensed USA Aircraft brokerage.

Call (504) 723-5566 or visit Business Opportunity Section at usaaircraft.com.

4208:TFN Free avgas 100LL and free tie-down parking in exchange for help with projects for an airport in Southern California.

Email: wignot@hotmail.com. 23600:TFN

ART/VIDEOS/GIFTS Specializing in aviation photography. horizontalrain.com.

1/15 Need a gift? Give a ride in an open cockpit biplane. WACO Air Museum, Troy, Ohio, wacoairmuseum.org, (937) 3359226.

20601:TFN Fly By Wire Air, a one-stop site for aviators.flybywireair.com.

4/21 Aces High Aviation & Military Art. (800) 528-0887, aceshighgallery.com. 10/21

Shirts Made to Fly. Unique, original fabrics embedded with your sectional chart.

Save 20% with “INFLIGHT20” code. PilotQuarters.com.

2/24

PUBLICATIONS Avionics Checklists & Quick Reference guides. Available in book, card & new iPad editions. qref.com.

8/14 SEAK, Expert Witness Directory, by Bert Botta for aviation accidents and incidents. (415) 320-9811, bert@bertbotta. com, bertbotta.com.

4/22 “Ghosts,” Phil Makanna’s legendary warbird calendars are back! Visit ghosts. com, (800) 331-8231.

2/23

New Pocket guide to avoid pain & stiffness during travel by a leading pain expert. “Pain-Free Vacation/Travel,” (980) 785-8128, goptfirst@gmail.com.

2/4

MUSEUMS

Rowland Freedom Center Vacaville, CA, (707) 449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org Castle Air Museum Atwater, CA, (209) 723-2178 castleairmuseum.org American Helicopter Museum West Chester, PA, (610) 436-9600 americanhelicopter.museum Florida Air Museum (Aerospace Discovery) Lakeland, FL, (863) 904-6833 floridaairmuseum.org, flysnf.org War Eagles Air Museum Santa Teresa, NM, (575) 589-2000 wareaglesairmuseum.com Warhawk Air Museum Nampa, ID, (208) 465-6446 warhawkairmuseum.org National WASP WWII Museum Avenger Field, Sweetwater, TX (325) 235-0099, waspmuseum.org Hiller Aviation Museum San Carlos Airport, CA (650) 654-0200, hiller.org Owls Head Transportation Museum Owls Head, ME (207) 594-4418, owlshead.org Planes of Fame Air Museum Chino, CA, (909) 597-3722 planesoffame.org Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs, CA (760) 778-6262, psam.org

DONATIONS Needed!

Non-profit youth aviation program teaching High School kids to build a Zenith 750 Cruzer — then learn to fly in it! It’s 70% completed. Need a usable O-200 engine to make kids’ dreams come true!

Full value tax benefit. Bill (818) 634-9762.

PLACE AN AD! To place a classified ad, Call In Flight USA 650/358-9908

December 2025 November 2025

www.inflightusa.com www.inflightusa.com

45 45

In Flight USA Celebrating 41 Years

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December 2025

AD INDEX December 2025 ABCI....................................... 17

CB SkyShare........................... 13

Matching Donors.................... 18

ShinyJets................................. 33

Aerox Aviation Oxygen.......... 39

Cielo Blu/Threshold................ 24

Mike Smith Aviation............... 29

T.J. Aircraft Sales.................... 23

Aircraft Spruce........................ 15

Corridor Software................... 36

Mountain High Oxygen............ 3

Treasure Coast Avionics.......... 12

Airplanes USA Aircraft............. 6

Cosgrove Aircraft Service....... 48

Oakland Aviation Museum..... 11

Univair...................................... 9

American Aircraft Sales.......... 43

Fly-Eat App............................. 25

Pacific Coast Avionics............. 10

USA Aircraft Brokers................ 13

AOPA........................................ 7

GAMI........................................ 4

Pacific Oil Cooler...................... 9

USA Aircraft Brokers Franchise. 4

Arizona Type Ratings.............. 45

Geneva Allen/Carolina Airparks.. 26

Pecan Plantation........................ 2

Vietnam War Flight Museum.. 31

AvBrief.com............................ 30

Ghosts Calendars.................... 32

Planes of Fame........................ 47

Wings over Kansas.................. 31

Aviation Oxygen/Airport Shoppe.. 25

Hartwig..................................... 3

Premier Aircraft........................ 8

Wingman Business Development.. 20

Bert Botta................................ 19

HME Watch............................. 35

QREF Media........................... 18

Wyldebyrd Art......................... 30

Born to Age............................... 7

Hump Pilot/Nedda R. Thomas.14

R&M Steel Co........................ 12

XL Aviation............................. 37

Bruce’s Custom Covers........... 41

Left Seat Pilot Medical Solutions.46

Schweiss Doors....................... 16

Zanette Aviation Insurance....... 5

PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Our Team Approach Offers a Confidential Solution to Your Pilot Medical Certification "The professionals at Pilot Medical Solutions provide superior, pilot-focused services and help during your time of need. I would, without hesitation, recommend their services to an airman in need."

– Anthony Ison, Aviation Attorney Unlike FAA Medical Examiners or other pilot groups, Pilot Medical Solutions activates our exceptional team of experts to confidentially support and resolve your FAA Medical certifications challenges.

Pilot Medical Solutions is the only service which collaborates with private physicians to produce documentation required by the FAA. Other services typically only list FAA requirements, Pilot Medical Solutions helps you comply with them.

Dr. Silberman CAMI FAA Manager* * Former

Dr. Parmet Aeromed Professor

Jeff Admon Aviation Attorney

Dr. Johnson FAA Cardiac Panel Head*

"Because they assist you in getting your records properly prepared and walking the information through the FAA, they can often accomplish in days what may take months for other sources, including your AME, to do."

– Erwin L. Samuelson, M.D

Contact Pilot Medical Solutions for a free FAA Medical consultation.

"I can strongly recommend Pilot Medical Solutions for consideration because they are sympathetic to pilots with medical certification problems. Pilot Medical Solutions also organizes the records which supports the FAA’s requirements."

– Bob Hoover “They do all the work while we get the credit and the thanks from the pilot. They are knowledgeable, quick, well known to the FAA Aeromedical structure and make the special issuance process a breeze.”

– Dr. James Butler, Senior AME Board Certified Aerospace Medicine

Dr. Barson FAA Regional Flight Surgeon*

Dr. Butler Aeromed Specialist

Pilot Medical Solutions helps pilots get timely FAA medical certification.

Contact us at 1-800-699-4457 or info@leftseat.com to confidentially discuss your FAA medical issues.

December 2025 September 2025

www.inflightusa.com

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www.inflightusa.com

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Take a Flight Into History

Ride in a P-51D “Mustang” Warbird at Planes of Fame Here’s your chance to experience the thrill of a lifetime – a flight in a World War II-era warbird. Book your ride today for our Living History Flight Experience in a North American P-51D “Mustang.”

Flights depart from our Chino Airport location for a 20-minute flight that you’ll remember for years to come. For complete information visit our website today.