Monday, September 17, 2012

Beechcraft Bonanza: 2 injured as plane makes emergency landing

VINEMONT, Ala. (AP) — Two people were hurt when a small airplane crashed while making an emergency landing in Cullman County.

WAFF-TV reports that a Beechcraft Bonanza was trying to land near Vinemont on Monday afternoon.

It bounced off the pavement and came to rest across a street from where it first touched down.

A male pilot and female passenger were conscious and talking to rescuers about what happened afterward.

Paramedics took two people to Huntsville Hospital.

Story and comments:  http://blog.al.com

Reno, Nevada: Volunteer firefighters have always worked out at the Air Races but they didn't this year

Steve Earle called in recently asking why volunteer firefighters were not working out at the Air Races this year ? 

 Steve I talked to a few people about this.    Tim Spencer is a battallion chief for the Reno Fire Department and he's also the emergency services director for the Air Races.

 Volunteer firefighters have always worked out at the Air Races but they didn't this year.  Spencer says he offered the volunteers a different assignment this year. Instead of working on the tarmac with the other Reno Firefighters he wanted them stationed on the outlying areas of the race course and outside the gates.  Those areas are in the county jurisdiction and not the city.

  Spencer says he was concerned the union would file a grievance if volunteers were allowed to work alongside Reno Firefighters.  So he offered the volunteers a different job this year and they sent a letter to the fire chief declining that offer.
 
 I also talked to the union vice president.  He says they were not involved in this issue and did not threaten to file a grievance.    But the bottom line is the volunteers did not like the assignment they were given and were not part of the Air Races this year.

Story and video:   http://www.mynews4.com

Ultralight crashes raise questions about safety

 

SPRING HILL, Florida -- A wooden cross and flowers sat facing the street in front of Pilot Country Airport one day after an Ultralight aircraft crashed into power lines before landing. The pilot, 53-year-old William Athey, was killed upon impact. 

 Athey's family, along with fellow pilots and the manager of Pilot Country, did not want to talk on Monday. They're still too stunned by his passing.

Pilots are also concerned about how incidents like this one, and one just hours later on Sunday that killed 50-year-old Ultralight pilot Christopher Washington at Hernando County Airport, affect the general perception of aviation. They stress that it's very safe, especially with the correct training.

Ultralight aircrafts are often built from a kit. The planes typically weight 254 pounds or less, carry up to five gallons of fuel at a time, and have just a single seat. A pilot's license is not required to fly them, and the Federal Aviation Administration doesn't require an airworthiness check. Appropriate instruction and practice is highly recommended.

http://www.wtsp.com


William George "Bill" ATHEY 

Obituary
ATHEY, William George "Bill" 53, of Odessa died unexpectedly Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. He is survived by sons, Ryan & Wilson Athey; parents, Billy F. and Georgia Lee Athey, all from Odessa; and sister, Sybil (Rick) Bowen; his nieces, Leanne and Marisa Bowen of St. Louis, MO; and special friend, Vicky Truong of Tampa. He was a Senior Software Engineer at CAE in Tampa engineering flight simulators for the past 6 years. In addition, he was very involved in Educational and Community Outreach Programs at CAE. Previously he was employed 20 yrs as a software engineer in Clearwater for Honeywell where he developed software for Space Guidance and Navigation. He received numerous awards for Software Development, Outstanding Community Service and was inducted as a Honeywell Inventor. He was a graduate of Eckerd College with a BS in Information Systems/Computer Science. Bill was a lifelong learner of science/nature and loved to share his knowledge with schools and community groups. With his guidance, some participated in the Starshine Project where students polished mirrors for a satellite launched from the Space Shuttle in 1999/2001. He held an Extra Class Amateur Radio license and was a certified First Responder. He was an Eagle Scout and served as Scoutmaster of Troop 68 for 12 years; recently receiving BSA District Merit Award. He twice completed the Wasatch Front 100-mile Endurance Run in Utah. He loved to hike, backpack, Geo Cache, scuba dive, pursue flying, investigate genealogy and fly his newly created Quad Copter. He played various stringed instruments and raised white homing pigeons which have been used in Epiphany celebrations in Tarpon Springs. He loved long-distance bicycle riding and competed once in Olympic trials. Bill spent his life in service to others and above all honoring his Lord, Jesus Christ. Visitation will be Saturday, 5-7 pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 6802 Silvermill Drive, Tampa. Services will be held Sunday, 2 pm at Hillsdale Baptist Church, 6201 Erhlich Road, Tampa. Graveside services to follow at Keystone UMC, 16310 Race Track Road, Odessa. Please sign online guestbook www.blountcurrywest.com.

Mooney M20M, N1085A: Accident occurred September 17, 2012 in Crane Hill, Alabama

http://registry.faa.gov/N1085A

NTSB Identification: ERA12FA566 
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, September 17, 2012 in Crane Hill, AL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/17/2014
Aircraft: MOONEY M20M, registration: N1085A
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot initially delayed the cross-country flight for convective weather, but later took off, encountered weather in a climb, and advised an air traffic controller that he was looking at “ADS-B” (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). As the flight progressed, the airplane climbed to 13,000 feet, and the pilot asked the next controller if there were any reports of icing ahead about 15,000 feet. The controller noted no reports of icing, “but quite a bit of deviation, quite a bit of clouds and precipitation in front of you.” The pilot requested 15,000 feet “to see if I can see things better,” which was approved by the controller. Upon switching to the next controller, the pilot was advised of moderate to extreme precipitation for the next 90 miles. The pilot then stated that in looking at the ADS-B, he needed to deviate. Deviation was approved, and, 2 minutes later, the pilot advised the controller that he was making another deviation, which the controller acknowledged. Eighteen minutes after that, the controller told the pilot to change radio frequency, and the pilot responded, “unable, we’re battling some pretty bad...”. The airplane subsequently made numerous turns and altitude excursions, turning 90 degrees to the right and descending to 14,600 feet, then turning another 90 degrees right and descending to 14,100 feet. After making a sharp left turn, the airplane climbed to 15,500 feet, then made another sharp left turn, and, as it began a final rapid descent to the ground, the pilot issued several mayday calls. An examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The expected ADS-B cockpit depiction compared to real-time, ground-based radar indicated significant differences in the depiction of hazardous reflectivity (rain). In the ADS-B product, the airplane was depicted as being clear of moderate or heavy rain as it made its final various turns. However, rea-time radar imagery indicated that the airplane would have been in or near moderate-to-heavy rain. The pilot indicated to the controller that he was using ADS-B in a tactical manner; however, ADS-B is intended to be used in a strategic manner . It is unknown why the pilot lost control of the airplane in moderate-to-heavy rain; he may have become confused and lost situational awareness when turning into what he thought were clearer conditions per the ADS-B depiction but was actually worse weather. ADS-B does not show what the weather is; it shows what the weather was up to 15 to 20 minutes earlier.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s loss of control in moderate-to-heavy rain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on ADS-B for tactical weather avoidance.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 17, 2012, about 1400 central daylight time, a Mooney M20M, N1085A, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in Crane Hill, Alabama. The private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and the airplane was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (DTS), Destin, Florida, to Sumner County Regional Airport (M33), Gallatin, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed DTS at 1245, and was subsequently issued a heading of 330 degrees and a climb to 10,000 feet.

At 1247, the pilot contacted the next sector controller, who issued an advisory for weather in the airplane's flight path.

At 1253, the pilot was told to switch to Jacksonville Center and to expect vectors around a weather cell from the receiving controller.

At 1254, the pilot made contact with the next controller and reported climbing from 7,000 to 10,000 feet. The controller advised the pilot of "extreme" precipitation, and asked his intentions. The pilot stated that he was looking at "ADS-B" (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) weather, described what he saw, and told the controller his plans.

At 1255, the controller advised the pilot to maintain 13,000 feet, and approved deviations left or right of course, proceed direct to destination when able.

At 1300, the controller asked the pilot to state his flight conditions, which the pilot responded were cloudy and smooth, with light rain becoming heavy, and that the ride was a "little bit bouncy."

At 1303, the controller broadcast on frequency that information on convective SIGMETS was available.

At 1306, the controller instructed the pilot to contact Atlanta Center, which the pilot did. 

At 1317, while the airplane was at 13,000 feet, the pilot asked if there were any reports of icing ahead, around 15,000 feet. The center controller responded that there were no reports of icing, "but quite a bit of deviation, quite a bit of clouds and precipitation in front of you." The pilot requested 15,000 feet "to see if I can see things better," which was approved by the controller.

At 1325, the pilot was told to contact the center's next sector controller, and upon doing so, that controller advised him of moderate to extreme precipitation for about the next 90 miles along the route of flight. The pilot subsequently stated that, in looking at the "a-s-d-n" [ADS-B], he needed to deviate about "three five eight degrees for several miles and probably head back north again." The controller approved 10 degrees' right and left deviation, proceed direct to M33 when able; and the pilot said that he was turning to 358 degrees.

At 1334, the controller advised the pilot of moderate to extreme precipitation at his 12 o'clock position, most off to his right, about 12 miles ahead. The pilot requested another 10 degrees' deviation to the left, and the controller approved deviations left and right, and direct to M33 when able.

At 1336, the pilot advised the controller that he was turning the airplane to 320 degrees, which the controller acknowledged.

At 1354, the controller issued the pilot a radio frequency change, to which the pilot responded, "Unable, we're battling some pretty bad (end of transmission.)"

Plotted radar data indicated that, at 1357:39, the airplane was northbound, at 15,300 feet. By 1358:11, the airplane had turned about 90 degrees to the right (east) and had descended to 14,600 feet. By 1358:20, the airplane had turned about another 90 degrees to the right (south), and descended to 14,100 feet. After making a sharp left turn, the airplane climbed to 15,500 feet by 1358:34. It then made another sharp left turn, and began to descend (northwest). 

At 1359:02 the controller contacted the pilot, who responded, at 1359:06, with "mayday."

At 1359:13, the pilot stated, "may (unintelligible) eight five alpha mayday mayday." There were no further transmissions from the airplane.

Plotted radar data indicated that the airplane had descended to 13,200 feet at 1359.03, and after another right turn (north), 10,000 feet at 1359:25. By 1359:34, the airplane had descended to 7,900 feet, and by 1359:44, to 5,300 feet, for a calculated descent rate in excess of 15,000 feet per minute. There were two additional position plots leading north-northwest toward the accident site; however, there were no additional attitude readouts. 

At 1401, in discussion with another controller, the handling controller stated, "he declared, he said mayday on the frequency and he won't respond to me; he got into that weather and he started losing altitude."

A witness stated that at the time of the accident, it was raining "like crazy," but with no thunder. He heard an engine noise; it "sounded like he had power, then [he] heard a 'thud.'" When the witness arrived at the accident site, the airplane's cabin was on fire. 

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Weather, recorded at Walker County Airport-Bevill Field (JFX), Jasper, Alabama, 11 nautical miles to the west-southwest of the accident site, at 1355, included wind from 170 degrees true at 3 knots, visibility 8 statute miles, rain, a few clouds at 2,500 feet above ground level (agl), no temperature or dew point listed, an altimeter setting of 29.82 inches Hg, and distant lightning east and southwest.

- Flight Briefs -

According to transcripts, at 1009, the pilot contacted a Lockheed Martin FAA-contracted flight service station for a weather briefing. During the briefing, the briefer advised of a line of thunderstorms and another area of rain with lower IMC, and an additional line of thunderstorms tracking toward the pilot's destination. The briefer also noted a convective SIGMET with small clusters of convection moving north, and from the Alabama-Tennessee border to the destination was a large area of embedded convective activity that didn't look like was going to dissipate anytime soon.

The briefer then provided some suggested routing, but noted that because the flight wasn't leaving for an hour, the temperature would get warmer, and the convective area would expand in coverage and intensity. 

The pilot then asked about icing because the airplane would be at 13,000 feet and it was not approved for known icing. The briefer advised that there was an AIRMET out for icing between 13,000 and 25,000 feet, but did not indicate the area covered. 

At 1225, the pilot contacted Lockheed Martin again, and with a different briefer, filed a flight plan to depart DTS at 1245, direct to M33, at 13,000 feet. Expected flight time was 2 hours and onboard fuel was 3 hours.

The briefer subsequently asked the pilot if he wanted him to go over "any adverse weather conditions or anything at all," and the pilot brought up the terminal forecast for 2 hours later at Nashville. The briefer provided the latest information he had, for 1300, which included rain showers and thunderstorms in the vicinity, ceiling 500 feet broken, and cumulonimbus clouds. The briefer also noted an area of thunderstorms "moving toward your route of flight," and IFR conditions from northern Alabama to the destination.

- ADS-B and FIS-B -

According to the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), ADS-B is "a surveillance system in which an aircraft or vehicle to be detected is fitted with cooperative equipment in the form of a data link transmitter." FIS-B (Flight Information Service – Broadcast) is a "ground broadcast service provided through ADS-B… [that] provides pilots and flight crews of properly equipped aircraft with a cockpit display of certain aviation weather and aeronautical information."

The all-encompassing term "ADS-B" is often used when referring to the FIS-B (weather reporting) portion of ADS-B. 

- Weather Study Findings - 

According to an NTSB Weather Study for this accident, there was a low-pressure center at the central-Louisiana coast, with a stationary front extending north and then north-eastward into extreme northern Alabama. Another low-pressure center was noted in extreme northern Alabama, north of the accident location.

A North American Mesoscale (NAM) model sounding for the accident location at 1300 indicated that the lowest 1,000 feet of the atmosphere was unstable, with the rest of the atmosphere below about 14,000 being conditionally unstable. The NAM model sounding identified the freezing level as about 13,300 feet.

Calculations made by the RAwindsonde OBservation Program (RAOB) did not identify any levels of significant turbulence, however it did note the potential for light (and some moderate) rime icing between 14,000 and 25,000 feet.

A vertical radar cross section that began at 1359 showed the airplane in level flight in "moderate" reflectivity (with reflectivity defined as "the sum of all backscattering cross-sections," and which could be liquid or frozen precipitation), before it entered a heavier level of "moderate" reflectivity. The airplane reversed course and began a descent into "moderate to heavy" reflectivity, before briefly climbing, then rapidly descending to the ground. 

The Study also compared the ground-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radar imagery depicted at specific times surrounding the time of the accident, with the expected FIS-B depictions displayed in the cockpit. Although the NOAA data also served as the original source for the FIS-B depictions, the FIS-B depictions were time-delayed by further processing, which then resulted in "significant differences in depiction of hazardous reflectivity values" between actual conditions and what was seen in the cockpit.

In the FIS-B product, the airplane was depicted as being clear of moderate or greater reflectivity values as it made turns to the northeast, east, then southeast. However, the radar imagery surrounding those times indicated that the airplane would have been "in very close proximity to heavy values of reflectivity." 

PILOT INFORMATION

The pilot, age 61, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. The pilot's logbook was not recovered; however, on his latest FAA third class medical application, dated November 1, 2010, he indicated 1,000 hours of flight time and 50 hours in make and model.

During the most recent as well as previous examinations, the pilot failed color vision testing, specifically noted in 1998 as being unable to distinguish between red and green. On July 14, 1998, the pilot was issued a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) for defective color vision after passing a signal light test.

During the latest examination, no other significant concerns were reported by the airman and no other significant issues were identified by the aviation medical examiner. The pilot did not report taking any medications. 

AIRPLANE INFORMATION

The airplane was manufactured in 1989 and was powered by a Lycoming TIO-540 series engine. The latest annual inspection was completed on April 4, 2012, at 1,590 total hours.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane first impacted rolling pastureland in the vicinity of 33 degrees, 58.58 minutes north latitude, 087 degrees, 07.04 west longitude, at an elevation of about 560 feet.

A ground imprint of the airplane's tail commenced about 5 feet beyond an undamaged 5-foot fence post. The ground imprint was consistent with the airplane having impacted the ground flat and upright, with the landing gear up. Airplane fragments were located along an approximately 225-foot debris path, heading about 010 degrees magnetic, with the cabin area and still-attached engine located near the end of the debris path. Although vegetation was pushed over in many spots along the debris path, there was a lack of ground scaring between the first ground impact and where the cabin came to rest.

Both wings and the tail section were separated from the airplane and were not burned, and there were no soot streaks on any fuselage components to indicate an in-flight fire. The aft portion of the main fuselage behind the passenger seats was unburned and crushed downward. The roof and sidewalls of the cabin area were missing, with the rest of the cabin charred forward of the supplemental oxygen bottle that was located just behind the aft cabin bulkhead. The oxygen bottle, mounted horizontally with the cap pointed forward, was also charred in the cap area. 

All flight control surfaces were accounted for at the accident scene; however, due to the extensive fracturing of the airplane and subsequent fire, flight control continuity could not be confirmed.

One propeller blade was found separated from the hub at the initial impact point, and the hub, with the two remaining propeller blades, was found separated from the engine about 75 feet beyond the first blade. One propeller blade exhibited extensive curling and bending, the other two blades exhibited torsional bending, and all blades had leading edge burnishing and chordwise scratching. 

The engine could not be examined due to extensive fire and impact damage; however, the starter ring exhibited rotational fracturing. 

No recording devices were found in the wreckage. 

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was conducted on the pilot at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, Huntsville, Alabama. Cause of death was listed as "blunt force injuries." 

Toxicological testing was subsequently performed at the FAA Civil Aeronautical Medical Institute. Results included bupropion, citalopram and N-Desmethylcitalopram detected in muscle and kidney. 

According to the National Institute of Health online reference, bupropion and citalopram are antidepressants. Additional online research revealed that Desmethylcitalopram is an active metabolite of citalopram.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

An NTSB Safety Alert, "In-Cockpit NEXRAD Mosaic Imagery" states that the actual age of NEXRAD data, such as that utilized in ADS-B FIS-B, "can differ significantly from the age indicated by in-cockpit displays, and in extreme cases, by up to 15 to 20 minutes."

It further notes, "Even small time differences between the age indicator [on the cockpit display] and actual conditions can be important for safety of flight, especially when considering fast-moving weather hazards, quickly developing weather scenarios, and/or fast moving aircraft….The in-cockpit NEXRAD display depicts where the weather was, not where it is." 

AIM states:

"FIS aviation weather products (e.g. graphical ground-based radar precipitation depictions) are not appropriate for tactical avoidance of severe weather such as negotiating a path through a weather hazard area. FIS supports strategic weather decision making such as route selection to avoid a weather hazard area in its entirety. The misuse of information beyond its applicability may place the pilot and aircraft in jeopardy."

NTSB Identification: ERA12FA566
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, September 17, 2012 in Crane Hill, AL
Aircraft: MOONEY M20M, registration: N1085A
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On September 17, 2012, about 1400 central daylight time, a Mooney M20M, N1085A, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in Crane Hill, Alabama. The private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and the airplane was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (DTS), Destin, Florida, to Sumner County Regional Airport (M33), Gallatin, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to preliminary air traffic control information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at 1317, while airplane was at 13,000 feet, the pilot requested information about conditions at 15,000 feet. The center controller responded that there was no icing, "but a lot of course deviations with precipitation ahead." The pilot requested and was granted a climb to 15,000 feet.

At 1325, the pilot was told to contact the center's next sector controller, and upon doing so, that controller advised him of moderate to extreme precipitation for about the next 90 miles along the route of flight. The pilot subsequently stated that he was looking at ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast), and needed to deviate for several miles before turning back to the north. The controller approved 10 degrees' right and left deviation, and direct to M33 when able.

At 1334, the controller advised the pilot of moderate to extreme precipitation at his 12 to 1 o'clock position about 12 miles ahead. The pilot requested another 10 degrees' deviation to the left, and the controller approved deviations left and right, and direct to M33 when able.

At 1336, the pilot advised the controller that he was turning the airplane to 320 degrees, which the controller acknowledged.

At 1354, the controller issued the pilot a radio frequency change, to which, the pilot responded, "Unable, we're battling some pretty bad" (end of transmission.)

At 1359:01, the controller called the pilot, who responded with, "MAYDAY (unintelligible) MAY eight five alpha MAYDAY MAYDAY." There were no further transmissions from the airplane.

A witness stated that, at the time of the accident, it was raining "like crazy," but with no thunder. He heard an engine noise; it "sounded like he had power, then [I] heard a 'thud.'" When the witness arrived at the accident site, the airplane's cabin was on fire.

The airplane first impacted rolling pastureland in the vicinity of 33 degrees, 58.58 minutes north latitude, 087 degrees, 07.04 west longitude, at an elevation of about 560 feet.

A ground imprint of the airplane's tail commenced about 5 feet beyond an undamaged 5-foot fence post. The ground imprint was consistent with the airplane having impacted the ground flat and upright, with the landing gear up. Airplane fragments were located along an approximately 225-foot debris path, heading about 010 degrees magnetic, with the cabin area and still-attached engine located near the end of the debris path. Although vegetation was pushed over in many spots along the debris path, there was a lack of ground scaring between the first ground impact and where the cabin came to rest.

Both wings and the tail section were separated from the airplane and were not burned, and there were no soot streaks on any fuselage components to indicate an in-flight fire. The aft portion of the main fuselage behind the passenger seats was unburned and crushed downward. The roof and sidewalls of the cabin area were missing, with the rest of the cabin charred forward of the supplemental oxygen bottle that was located just behind the aft cabin bulkhead. The oxygen bottle, mounted horizontally with the cap pointed forward, was also charred in the cap area.

All flight control surfaces were accounted for at the accident scene; however, due to the extensive fracturing of the airplane and subsequent fire, flight control continuity could not be confirmed.

One propeller blade was found separated from the hub at the initial impact point, and the hub, with the two remaining propeller blades, was found separated from the engine about 75 feet beyond the first blade. One propeller blade exhibited extensive curling and bending, the other two blades exhibited torsional bending, and all blades had leading edge burnishing and chordwise scratching.

The engine could not be examined due to extensive fire and impact damage; however, the starter ring exhibited rotational fracturing.

No airplane recording devices could be found in the wreckage.
 
Nancy and Gary Cohen 
Tanya Long-Garro/Reflections by Tanya



Dr. Gary D. COHEN
Obituary


COHEN, Dr. Gary D.  Age 61 of Hendersonville. Passed away with Nancy, his wife of 36 years, on Monday, September 17, 2012. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Cohen. Survived by his children, Ben Cohen, Grace (Adam) Veenker, and Melissa Kate Cohen; grandchildren, Steven and Jonah Veenker; mother, Johnnie Cohen; sister, Cynthia Cohen. Dr. Cohen was a graduate of UT Memphis and St. Louis University. He was the founder and President of Smile Construction, Inc. A member of and Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, he also founded the Nashville Chapter of the Seattle Study Club. Dr. Cohen loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and flying, but mostly, his grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Hendersonville First Baptist Church Friday, September 21st from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, September 22nd from 10 a.m. until service time at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cumberland Crisis Pregnancy Center, Hendersonville First Baptist Church or Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home. COLE & GARRETT FUNERAL HOME, Hendersonville, TN (615) 824-8605.

http://www.legacy.com/guestbook

http://www.legacy.com/obituary
 
Dr. Nancy Norris COHEN
Obituary

 
COHEN, Dr. Nancy Norris  Age 60 of Hendersonville. Passed away with Gary, her husband of 36 years, on September 17, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Ruth Norris. Survived by her children, Ben Cohen, Grace (Adam) Veenker, and Melissa Kate Cohen; grandchildren, Steven and Jonah Veenker; sister, Jo Norris (Buddy) Palmore and nephew, Ben Palmore. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, and was a Pharmacist at Perkin’s Drugs in Gallatin. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, where she founded the Women’s Ministry and taught Sunday School. Nancy was a true lady who loved to shop and entertain. She loved her grandsons, and was like a mother to all who knew her. Visitation will be held at Hendersonville First Baptist Church Friday, September 21st from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, September 22nd from 10 a.m. until service time at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cumberland Crisis Pregnancy Center, Hendersonville First Baptist Church, or the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home. COLE & GARRETT FUNERAL HOME, Hendersonville, TN (615) 824-8605.

http://www.legacy.com/obituary

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Members of the Hendersonville and Gallatin communities are mourning the loss of orthodontist Gary Cohen and his wife, Nancy, who were killed Monday when their small-engine plane crashed near Jasper, Ala.

The two were returning from a weekend vacation in Destin, Fla., and leave behind three adult children and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church Hendersonville. Visitation will be Friday at the church from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Word of the couple’s death spread quickly through the social networking site Facebook Monday night even though officials hadn’t officially released their names.

On Tuesday, the Hendersonville office of Cohen’s Smile Construction was closed. A note outside the building on Springhouse Court asked for privacy while staff members grieved.

“Out of respect for Dr. Cohen’s family, friends and staff, we are asking that all news media refrain from coming into the building,” the note read. “We appreciate your concern, but please allow us to grieve!”

Dr. Gary Cohen, 61, also had satellite offices in Gallatin and White House.

The couple’s small-engine plane went down at around 2:20 p.m. Monday about 25 miles northwest of Birmingham near the small town of Jasper, Ala., according to Mark Persall with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office. He said his agency was the first on the scene of the crash and that the wreckage was still burning when rescue workers arrived.

Persall said officials with the Federal Aviation Administration arrived within hours of the crash and were continuing their investigation on Wednesday. National Transportation Safety Board officials were also investigating, he added.

He said the plane broke into hundreds of small pieces and created a debris field of 80-150 yards.

Although federal officials will determine the cause of the crash, Persall said he does believe it’s weather-related.

“We were having some heavy bands of rain [on Monday],” he said. “Steady downpours just came in rainbands. The weather was really terrible for small aircraft. There’s no visibility at all in conditions like that.”

According to the Cullman County Times, the National Weather Service recorded 3-5 inches of rain across Cullman County on Monday.

Persall said his office was told that a distress call was made from the plane.

The Mooney M20 single-propeller aircraft took off Sept. 17 from Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport at 12:44 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Sumner County Regional Airport at 3:34 p.m., according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flights. The flight’s path shows it reversed direction somewhere over northern Alabama and began heading south.

FAA records show the plane is registered to SC Leasing LLC. That entity is owned by the Cohens, who kept the plane in a hangar at the Gallatin airport, said Sumner County Regional Airport Administrator Steve Sudbury.

Sudbury said he knew Gary Cohen to be a “perfectionist” and a “very meticulous person,” especially when it came to his plane.

“It’s a sad day for aviation in the Sumner community; we don’t have many plane crashes,” he said. “Gary was a great guy, very personable, always had a smile on his face.”

Cohen had filed a flight plan, Sudbury said, so airport officials were expecting him to arrive Monday. However, it became clear from radio communications that the couple was in trouble.

“He was in contact with the Atlanta tower, and evidently, at some point after the first point of notification, later called in a mayday,” he said.

Cullman County Coroner Steve Rodgers said he expected federal officials to let him release the bodies from the forensics laboratory in Huntsville, Ala., on Wednesday. The couple had not been officially identified by this newspaper’s deadline on Wednesday. Rodgers said there have been three fatal plane crashes in the northern Alabama area in three days.

“Three crashes in three days, that’s unheard of for our area,” said the coroner, who services a large area in northern Alabama. “That has hampered our progress.”
A community grieves

Those who knew the couple say the Hendersonville and Gallatin communities have suffered a great loss.

Nancy Cohen, 60, worked as a pharmacist at Perkins Drugs in Gallatin for 12 years, according to former owner Ferrell Haile, who retired in January.

“She was such an asset to our patients,” Haile said. “She was compassionate, but she also knew how to have fun. They both had a strong faith they lived and walked. They were the radiation of Jesus Christ.”

Gary Cohen put braces on each of Hendersonville dentist Brandon Hodge’s three children.

“He was a wonderful man who truly cared for his patients and followed them through their lives,” said Hodge, who was also a friend of the Cohens. “Gary had a zeal for life. He was always up for new adventures. He and Nancy had a love for one another that was evident every time I was around them. Going to dinner with them was like double-dating with teenagers.”

Bruce Chesser, senior pastor at First Baptist Church Hendersonville, also recalled a fun-loving couple. The Cohens had been members of FBCH for 24 years.

“There’s no telling how many children have straight teeth because of Gary Cohen,” said Chesser, whose daily email on Tuesday informed the 8,000-member church of the couple’s death. “They were gregarious, giving people,” he said, recounting how Gary Cohen often rode around on Sunday morning in a golf cart greeting church members.

“The shock of healthy, vibrant people their age – the death of both – there’s where the punch in the gut to the community comes from,” he said.

According to the Smile Construction website, Dr. Cohen graduated from the College of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee. He then worked as a general dentist for five years before entering an orthodontic residency at St. Louis University. He completed the residency training in 1983.

Cohen’s staff members released a statement Tuesday on the Smile Construction Facebook page:

“Dr. Gary Cohen provided excellent orthodontic care for all those who needed it. He set the highest standards for himself, his staff and patients. During this transition period we will honor his memory by ensuring those standards are maintained,” the statement reads.

“We have the support of the Hendersonville area dental community and numerous Board Certified Orthodontists who will be helping to ensure Dr. Cohen's standard and continuity of care is upheld.

In honor of Dr. Cohen, we will continue to care for his patients and maintain client services reflecting the Smile Construction mission statement of providing the highest quality orthodontic care in a warm and caring environment.”


Source:    http://www.tennessean.com


 


Gary and Nancy Cohen, a couple known throughout Sumner County as shepherds of the community, died Monday when the small plane they were flying home from a weekend on the Florida panhandle crashed in Alabama.

He was 61. She was 60.

Gary Cohen issued a weather-related mayday call from his blue-and-white Mooney M20 at about 2:20 p.m. Monday, said Mark Persall of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.

FAA records show the plane is registered to SC Leasing LLC. That entity is owned by the Cohens, who kept the plane in a hangar at the Gallatin airport, said Sumner County Regional Airport Administrator Steve Sudbury.

Sudbury said he knew Gary Cohen to be a “perfectionist” and a “very meticulous person,” especially when it came to his plane.

Cohen had filed a flight plan, Sudbury said, so airport officials knew to expect him Monday. However, it became clear from radio communications that the couple was in trouble.

The plane took off from Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport at 12:44 p.m., and was scheduled to arrive at Sumner Regional Airport in Gallatin at 3:34 p.m., according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flights. The flight’s path shows it reversed direction somewhere over northern Alabama and began heading south. It crashed in Cullman County about 55 miles north of Birmingham.

On Tuesday, friends remembered a couple that worked hard at their church and other philanthropic organizations.

“They just enjoyed opening their life and home up to other people,” said the Rev. Bruce Chesser, the senior pastor of First Baptist Hendersonville where the Cohens attended church. “I see them with their arms around each other and both with great big smiles on their faces.”

Gary Cohen was an orthodontist at Smiles Under Construction, which has its main office in Hendersonville. Nancy Cohen was a pharmacist at Perkins Drugs in Gallatin for 12 years, according to former owner Ferrell Haile.

Gary Cohen spent many Sunday mornings in a golf cart, shuttling churchgoers from their cars to First Baptist Hendersonville’s worship center, Chesser said. Nancy Cohen helped lead Bible studies and Sunday school sessions, said friend Judy Sindle.

In a congregation of about 8,000, Chesser said, the pair was widely known and respected.
They also supported other community organizations, he said, including the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes.

The Cohens’ work for others had a sturdy spiritual foundation, according to Sindle.

“It was all centered around their commitment to their church and to God.”

The Cohens are survived by three adult children and two grandchildren, Sindle said.


IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 1085A        Make/Model: MO20      Description: M20M
  Date: 09/17/2012     Time: 1859

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Destroyed

LOCATION
  City: JASPER   State: AL   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE 
  FATALLY INJURED, NEAR JASPER, AL

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   2
                 # Crew:   2     Fat:   2     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: BIRMINGHAM, AL  (SO09)                Entry date: 09/18/2012
 




 
The plane crashed off of CR 174 in the Crane Hill Community near Smith Lake. 
Source: Christy Hutchings
~
 
Authorities work the scene of a plane crash Monday afternoon in Cullman County. Reports indicate there were no survivors.



Police direct traffic near the site of the plane crash in western Cullman County.
 (Photo: Matt Kroschel, WHNT News 19)
ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports  

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1085A

http://registry.faa.gov/N1085A
   
Hendersonville orthodontist Gary Cohen and his wife, Nancy, were killed Monday in a plane crash in Alabama as they were flying back to Gallatin, the couple’s pastor confirmed Tuesday.  

 Nancy Cohen, 60, worked as a pharmacist at Perkins Drugs in Gallatin for 12 years, according to former owner Ferrell Haile, who retired in January.

“She was such an asset to our patients,” Haile said. “She was compassionate, but she also knew how to have fun. They both had a strong faith they lived and walked.”

According to the Cullman (Ala.) Times, a small, single-engine plane crashed in southwest Cullman County, Ala., Monday afternoon, killing both the pilot and a single passenger. No one on the ground was injured.

The plane, a Mooney M20 single-propeller aircraft, went down in a pasture less than a mile from a residential area, the newspaper reported. Severe weather was reported in the area shortly before 2:30 p.m., when the crash occurred. The news outlet also reported Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrived at the scene about two hours after the crash and that an official with the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to visit today.

The plane took off from Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport in Destin, Fla., at 12:44 p.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Sumner Regional Airport in Gallatin at 3:34 p.m., according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flights. The flight’s path shows it reversed direction somewhere over northern Alabama and began heading south.

FAA records show the plane is registered to SC Leasing LLC. That entity is owned by the Cohens, who kept the plane in a hangar at the Gallatin airport, said Sumner County Regional Airport Administrator Steve Sudbury.

Sudbury said he knew Gary Cohen to be a “perfectionist” and a “very meticulous person,” especially when it came to his plane.

“It’s a sad day for aviation in the Sumner community; we don’t have many plane crashes,” he said. “Gary was a great guy, very personable, always had a smile on his face.”

Cohen had filed a flight plan, Sudbury said, so airport officials knew to expect him Monday. However, it became clear from radio communications that the couple was in trouble.

“He was in contact with the Atlanta tower and evidently, at some point after the first point of notification, later called in a mayday,” he said.

The Cohens’ pastor, Bruce Chesser, of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, asked church members in an email Tuesday to pray for the three children of the couple.

“We have many, many deaths in our church family and they are all equally significant. But this is such an unusual situation to have husband and wife both killed so tragically,” he wrote.

A spokesperson for Cullman County, Ala., Coroner Steve Rogers said it may be Wednesday before the victims are officially identified. The city of Cullman is about 55 miles north of Birmingham.

Chesser said the couple was returning from a weekend trip in Destin, Fla., and that their deaths shook the community.

“The shock of healthy, vibrant people their age – the death of both – there’s where the punch in the gut to the community comes from,” he said.

A note was posted Tuesday on the front door of Gary Cohen’s main office in Hendersonville: “Out of respect for Dr. Cohen’s family, friends and staff, we are asking that all news media refrain from coming into the building. We appreciate your concern, but please allow us to grieve!”

Smiles Under Construction, where Cohen, 61, was an orthodontist, also has locations in Gallatin and White House.

The Gallatin News Examiner will have more on this breaking story as it unfolds.


CULLMAN COUNTY, AL -  The Cullman County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that two people are dead after a plane crashed near Smith Lake Monday afternoon.

The Sheriff's Office says the plane went down off of County Road 174 near the Crane Hill community. Sheriff's deputies and local fire department officials are on the scene now.

The FAA reports that a Mooney 20 aircraft with two people on board crashed around 2 p.m. today. The plane was flying from Destin, Fla. to the Sumner County Airport in Gallatin, Tenn. The identities of the two people killed in the crash have not yet been released by officials.

This crash is the third deadly plane crash in Alabama in the past three days. 

Saturday, a pilot named William Shaver crashed into Weiss Lake in Cherokee County. Shaver was the only person on board the aircraft and was flying from Guntersville to visit friends in the area. Officials say Shaver was trying to land when he clipped a main power line and crashed into the lake. He did not survive.

Two people also died in a plane crash in Madison County on Sunday near the Moontown Airport in Brownsboro, Tenn. The pilot of the plane, George Myers, 74, and a 17-year-old passenger named Christian Schmitt were killed in the crash.

Check back for more details on this developing story.

CULLMAN, Alabama -- The pilot of a single engine airplane that crashed, killing two people, called out a mayday before it went down near Smith Lake, according to the Cullman County Sheriff's Office. 

Mark Persall, deputy in administration at the Cullman County Sheriff's Office, said that according to the Federal Aviation Administration the Mooney 20 airplane was out of Destin, Fla., and was in contact with the FAA's tower in Atlanta as the plane headed to Gallatin, Tenn. Before the crash the pilot radioed that there were difficult weather conditions and called in a mayday, he said.

Heavy rains did pass through Cullman County this afternoon, Persall said.

The plane crashed near Smith Lake in the Ardell community, which is near Crane Hill, Persall said. "It's a fairly large debris field," he said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board, which investigate fatal aircraft crashes has been notified, Persall said.


Story and comments: http://blog.al.com

VINEMONT, Ala. (AP) - Authorities say an airplane crash in Cullman County has killed two people.

Mark Persall, the administrative chief of Cullman County Sheriff's Department, says a small, blue & white plane went down about 2:20 p.m. Monday near a county road. 
 

Persall says air traffic controllers from Atlanta were monitoring the aircraft when it developed problems. Persall says controllers report that the pilot talked about being in bad weather before losing contact.

Storms with heavy rains were moving across the region at the time.

Officials say the flight didn't originate at Cullman County's airport, and it apparently wasn't headed there.
 
Authorities haven't released the names of the victims.

http://www.myfoxal.com


CULLMAN — Authorities have confirmed that a small, single-engine plane has crashed in Cullman County just off Co. Rd. 174 near Smith Lake.  Authorities believe there were 1-2 occupants inside the plane, and responders at the scene report there were no survivors.

The crash occurred in an overgrown field at approximately 2:20 p.m.. Debris is spread out approximately 80-yards from the initial impact zone.

Authorities say the plane was being tracked from Birmingham on radar when it crashed.

Officials from the FAA are en route to the scene.


http://www.cullmantimes.com

 

Era resumes limited flights following weekend shutdown

Airline spokesman Steve Smith says flights Monday morning were being routed by dispatchers to provide service to those most affected by the weekend grounding.

The planes were grounded after Federal Aviation Administration officers determined cockpit voice recorders were out of date and needed to be upgraded. Era says high winds also affected some flights.

Some passengers were put up in Anchorage hotels and others were put on other carriers to continue their flights. Era serves a number of Alaska communities.

KMXT reports the federal investigation stems from an incident this month when an Era plane traveling from Anchorage to Homer dropped 5,000 feet before pilots regained control.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com

‘There is an enormous opportunity for low-cost air travel in India’: Air Arabia’s Adel Abdullah Ali reiterates his commitment to the country

Mumbai: Adel Abdullah Ali , board member and group chief executive officer of Sharjah-based low fare carrier Air Arabia (PJSC), isn’t one to follow the herd. While most international carriers service Indian metros, he has focused on connecting other cities. The strategy has paid off and his airline covers 13 cities, more than Emirates Airline, which operates to and from 10 Indian cities. Ali, who has worked with Gulf Air and British Airways, has also ensured this strategy has been profitable for the past eight years. His formula: low costs (single passenger class, single aircraft type, fly to less-congested airports), a simple fare scheme, and the use of direct sales channels. In an interview with Mint, Ali declined to comment on his intention to invest in Indian carriers, now that the Indian government has relaxed the norms for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the aviation business, but he reiterated his commitment to the country. Edited excerpts:

Why would someone want to fly Air Arabia?

Air Arabia is all about value for money. Since we started the low-cost model in this part of the world, the airline has remained focused on offering affordable, reliable and on-time air travel. We have seen great appeal for our services and managed to maintain the world’s highest seat load factor for nine consecutive years. With the large number of Indian expatriates in the Middle East, there is a strong need for affordable air travel—for this community to travel to their homes. We see a lot of families and students travelling with us and also connect to the wider network we offer from Sharjah.

You fly to more cities in India than even Emirates Airline…

Air Arabia started flying to India in March 2005 and currently offers over 112 flights a week, flying directly from our hub in Sharjah to 13 destinations in India. This does represent the most comprehensive destination network of any international airline in India. Our business model is such that is suited best to the needs of Indian travellers. Over these years, India has grown to be an important market for us and we are always looking to expand operations and cater to more markets between the United Arab Emirates and different cities in India.

What next?

We follow the reciprocal flight rights set between both countries and will be looking forward to add more destinations and frequencies into India as and when we secure the approvals to do so. For example, we announced an increase in our flights to Delhi starting September 2012 and also ramped up our Nagpur flights, increasing the frequency to four flights a week beginning June 2012. Strategy on new routes will largely depend on the demand we see for travel and the response we get from our consumers. Our twice-daily flights from Delhi starting September 2012 are the most recent example of this. Having said that we will continue our due diligence of exploring newer locations around the globe, and India is no exception.

You fly mostly to non-metros. Why?

We fly where we believe it adds value to our customers and business. Air Arabia operates services to smaller cities such as Nagpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Coimbatore and Thiruvananthapuram, making it easier for our customers to fly to their destinations directly from their home town. Our efforts to operate to central as well as smaller, less-congested airports closer to our customer base have been successful. We are also the first international airline to fly to Nagpur and Jaipur and this step underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to tier II cities and the burgeoning Indian market at large.
What was the biggest challenge in India? How was the competition?

Challenges such as fuel price, open skies, airport charges and infrastructure have been hindering the pace at which low-cost airlines can grow. Having said that, there is an enormous opportunity for low-cost air travel in India and the wider region. We have proved this through our operations in these seven years. Over the past couple of years, we have seen many low-fare carriers enter the market and many more will in the near future, but in such challenging times, managing ruthless costs will be vital for any new airline to survive.

There are no low-cost terminals in India and airport charges are high. How have you managed to stay profitable?

It is true that charges vary from airport to another and some are considered expensive to the airline as well as the customer. As a low-cost carrier, we enjoy the advantage of saving costs at every given step such as the fast turnaround times at every airport to best serve our operational efficiency and save on airport associated costs. Air Arabia enjoys one of the world’s lowest operational costs and is also one of the 10 most profitable low cost carriers in the world. Issues such as growing fuel surcharges, airport taxes, and poor infrastructure do impact the pace of growth as far as low cost airlines are concerned. Particularly, since low-cost models work on lower margins, it does have an impact on the overall profit margins.

Does oil give you an edge?

Since inception, Air Arabia has been focused on running a successful and profitable business. Air Arabia is a publicly joint stock company and the airline shares are traded on the Dubai Financial Market. The airline’s financial performance is transparently published on the company’s website and in public domains. The airline achieved financial breakeven from the first year of operations and has been profitable since then. In the second quarter of this year, Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED 66million, an increase of 31% compared to AED 51 million in the corresponding period in 2011. As far as oil is concerned, Air Arabia pays the same oil price as any other airline across the globe and oil price fluctuation is a key challenge.

http://origin-www.livemint.com

75 Years Of Air Travel To Scilly

 The Isles of Scilly has been marking 75 years of air travel to the islands this weekend with events at St Mary’s airport.

And those interested in finding out more, had a chance to see an exhibition in the terminal building showing old photos, advertising brochures and tickets collected over the years.

Museum curator, Amanda Martin, who organized the display, gave us an insight into the fascinating history of flying here.

She said the first flight, a de Havilland Dragon aircraft, arrived on September 15th 1937 but at that time, the runaway was actually at the golf club. Tourism had started to take off in a big way at that time and Amanda said the first air travelers were well-healed, upper middle class people who had the money for the expensive ticket.

The golf club was used for the first two years because it was thought to be good, relatively protected site, with many features in common with the current airport. And it had easy access to Hugh Town.

But she says it didn’t take long to be moved to the present site, probably because the golf players were sick of having their games disturbed!

Amanda says St Mary’s was always going to be the prime site for an airport, especially with the difficulty of finding suitable terrain on such low-lying islands. In fact, only Tresco has another suitable flat area, but the runway would have taken up most of the centre of that island.

In 1939, there was just an old airport building, on the far side of the runway from the present terminal building, close to where the training helicopter mock-up is now. And it would have been very different inside from the current building too – Amanda said it was furnished with classic, Lloyd-Loom armchairs.

A detachment of Hurricane fighters was stationed at the airport during the war, but in 1947, BEA took over the route, flying de Havilland Rapide aircraft from Land’s End. BEA also introduced Britain’s first scheduled helicopter service to the islands in 1964, originally from Land’s End but transferring to a new heliport in Penzance later that year.

Brymon was here for many years and would have continued if a longer runway had been built. Amanda says they wanted to use larger Dash 7 aircraft and even produced timetables based on those planes and brochures advertising their 47-seat aircraft.

A significant development at the site was also heralded by the opening of the new terminal building at St Mary’s by Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1975.

While this year has seen the sad announcement that the helicopter service will end after 48 years in operation, Amanda says we need to remember that many different operators have flown to the islands over the years, such as Scillonia Airways, Channel Airlines, Great Western and Brymon, and she says there’s no reason why that couldn’t happen again.

See photos from the Airport Funday here.

Read more:   http://www.scillytoday.com

Global Elite Group Announces Expansion into Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), Washington, District of Columbia; Global continues growing relationship with Emirates Airline

Emirates Airline has engaged Global Elite Group to provide security services for its flights at Washington Dulles International Airport. Emirates Airline is the largest major airline in the Middle East. It is the national airline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates and operates over 2500 passenger flights per week to 122 cities in 74 countries.

Global currently provides security services to Emirates five other airports in the U.S. The addition of the sixth location in the U.S. signifies a successful growth of the relationship between the two companies. Global will work closely with Emirates’ Aviation Security Department and the Washington Airport Management team to provide specialist functions.

Working with its aviation clients, Global has been recognized for its unique approach to providing custom security solutions. Global provides customer oriented professional services and ensures that effective security and regulatory compliance is delivered.

http://www.prweb.com

Braintree: 'Hidden ridge' responsible for aircraft crash

 
The plane crash landed in a field next to the runway at Andrewsfield

A plane had to make a crash landing after it hit a hidden ridge in the runway and took off too early, an investigation has concluded.

The four-seater aircraft, carrying the pilot and one passenger, crashed at Andrewsfield, in Stebbing, on January 6.

Police, paramedics and firefighters all attended the scene, but neither the pilot nor his passenger were injured in the crash.

The 74-year-old pilot held a basic commercial pilot’s license and had nearly 10,000 hours of flying experience.

A report into the crash by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the plane had to abort its take-off after it failed to pick up enough speed once it became airborne.

The report stated: “Two individuals, one a flying instructor, observed the behavior of the aircraft after it left the ground and were sufficiently concerned that they both began running, from different locations, towards the airfield crash alarm whilst the aircraft was still airborne.”

Source:  http://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk

First solo Cessna 152

 

Published on September 16, 2012 by kellysmith437

"After flying a few circuits in a C152, my instructor finally says I'm ready to go up on my own - there's only one first solo and this is mine. Landed first time, a little off centre line, but otherwise happy with it. I only put the landing on the video, didn't think anyone would be interested in seeing the loop-the-loop and barrel rolls I was doing out of the instructor's sight! (only joking Steve). An awesome experience, thanks to all at Fly365 Wickenby for getting me this far. Now the real work begins....."

Cessna 152: Spin Training

Cape Air: Hyannis to Nantucket - Massachusetts

 
Cape Air: Hyannis to Nantucket - Massachusetts