Experts Defend Cessna's Reputation

Despite two Cessna airplane crashes in three days - one in Coney Island and the other in Connecticut - aviation experts said yesterday that the single-engine plane is among the safest in the industry and that the majority of accidents involving it have been because of pilot error. A Cessna 172, which went down in Coney Island Saturday and killed four people, and a larger and more powerful Cessna 182, which crashed in New Fairfield, Conn., Monday, killing a couple from Wading River, have good safety records, industry officials said. And, they said, both four-seat craft are popular with student pilots and weekend fliers.

D.C. Pilot Loses License

The government has revoked the license of the pilot in charge of the small plane that strayed to within three miles of the White House May 11.

Man Flying Around the World In Cessna 172 -- Now in Bahrain

Dean Stahr, a 79-year-old US pilot, arrived in Bahrain yesterday in his quest to fly a single-engine Cessna around the world.

Harrier Landing Now Done With Push of Button

Landing Harrier jump jets on ships in bad weather can now be done at the touch of a button, British technology firm Qinetiq has announced.

Aileron Tabs Improve Stability

Lehigh University engineers have invented a simple device that allows pilots to custom-tailor the lateral stability of their aircraft in flight.

D.C. Pilot Did Not Get Weather Briefing, Notams

Hayden "Jim" Sheaffer, the pilot who prompted the evacuation of the White House and Congress failed get his weather breifing or learn about Notams, nor did he file a flight plan, according to the Washington Post.

D.C. Airspace Breached Frequently -- Source

Violations of Washington, D.C., airspace happens "dozens" of times per month, according to a sourced quoted by Newsweek in an upcoming issue. There have reportedly been 2,211 intrusions into D.C.-area restricted airspace since September 11, 2001.

Feds to Make Example of Pilot Who Wandered Into D.C. Airspace

The federal government is pledging to take "serious action" against a pilot who entered Washington, D.C., airspace last week.