May 20, 2013 - Well, Friday was great. Plenty of airplanes, pilots, instructors and fun flying. We even had our first new FAST rating.

Then the weather decided not to cooperate - 1000 ft ceilings and 3 mile visibility just don't make for a good training environment. Great for hangar flying but just not so good for formation flying. We only have a couple pictures of the event.

May 19, 2013 - In an apparent house-cleaning move, the FAA has canceled the 10-year-old, 70-page AC 43-209 (L-39 Albatross Military Jet Recommended Inspection Program) and replaced it with a shorter (12-page) and more generic AC 43-209A (Recommended Inspection Procedures for Former Military Aircraft).

Of particular interest to CJAA members is the documentation of base and ownership changes. According to 43-209A, the only requirement is to provide an updated program letter within 30 days of base or ownership transfer. All previously issued airworthiness certificates and operating limitations will remain valid. (Para 5.d. and e.)

May 15, 2013 - Facing an old panel, CJAA member (and Reno race competitor) Tim Neubert set two objectives for the upgrade - Light weight and improved flight instrumentation data. And as the jet was based in Florida and the National Air Races are conducted at Reno, Nevada, it was equally important to install a reliable auto pilot to relieve the stress of an exhausting cross-country flight.

May 11, 2013 - Registration for the 2013 Reno FAST Clinic is now available. The clinic will take place Jun 8-10, just before the Jun 12-15 Pylon Racing School (PRS), and offers participants opportunities to brush up close-quarter flying as well as earn or revalidate FAST credentials.

The Reno location is ideal as it offer jet facilities, nearby practice areas and plenty of airspace. CJAA will obtain a fuel discount and supply lunches and snacks throughout the event. Participants are responsible for hotels and breakfast/dinner.

May 7, 2013 - With Sequestration grounding the Blue Angel and Thunderbird demonstration teams, some airshows are looking for alternate warbird performers. While a SAC card and adherence to ICAS procedures should be part of a performer's checklist, aviation lawyer and airshow pilot Alan Armstrong suggests another checklist item, look for references to media rides in your performance package.

May 3, 2013 - Sequestration has certainly affected the airshow industry this year. With the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels grounded, airshow organizers are scouring the countryside looking for replacements.

Before you take the leap, take a look at your Program Letter. Even a simple overflight may be limited if it's over a populated area. And while sequestration may have reduced FAA inspections, it hasn't eliminated them.

More reading:

Apr 26, 2013 - Flightglobal's "The DEW Line" is running an article highlighting the return of several TA-4K Skyhawks back to American skies. The aircraft are being operated by Draken International and like the previously acquired MB-339s, were also imported from New Zealand.

Draken reports that "the aircraft will be used by Draken to provide threat simulation, research and development and adversary support to various entities within the US military and defense industry."

Apr 10, 2013 - The folks over at Racing Jets have added a couple items of interest to their website recently. Just published is their Apr 2013 Newsletter highlighting the deadline for 2013 PRS registration, updates from the 2013 RARA Board meeting, the Jet Class rule changes and more.

Also posted, but probably only of interest to pilots wanting to participate in this year's rookie school (aka Pylon Racing Seminar or PRS) are the 2013 forms and instructions. Review them closely because the fees and benefits have changed from 2012.

Apr 5, 2013 - The CJAA forum is a huge, active resource of jet information consisting of over 5,000 articles posted by over 500 jet enthusiasts. To the frequent visitor, that vastness is a benefit - To the first time visitor, it's overwhelming. Where to start?

Solution ... Subscribe to the CJAA forum.

Apr 2, 2013 - There's a new jet warbird in American Skies courtesy of Draken International, Lakeland, FL. Draken purchased the remaining nine Aermacchi MB-339CB from New Zealand's Air Force inventory.

Two are already flying and five pilots have been checked out. In the words of Draken Chief Pilot Dale Snodgras "[It's] an awesome jet. Full up HUD front and rear plus HOTAS. Really good performance as well!"