First Flight of the Cessna Citation II

Cessna Citation is a marketing name used by Cessna for several “families” of turbofan-powered jets that have been produced over the years. The Cessna Citation II was a direct development of the Citation I. It was also the first of the Model 550 series of light corporate jets. The Citation II had an increased seating […]

The Jet “Spirit of America” SetsWorld Record For Circumnavigation

On January 10, 1982, a Gulfstream III jet set a world’s record of 47 hours and 39 minutes for circumnavigation of the world. The jet known as the “Spirit of America,” departed Teterboro airport at 5:43 a.m. on January 8, 1982 with 10 persons aboard and completed the flight on January 10, 1982 at 5:21 […]

Reducing the Risk of Midair Collisions

On December 27, 1978, Former United States Secretary of Transportation Brock Adams announced a comprehensive regulatory program to improve aviation safety by reducing the risk of midair collisions in U.S. airspace by 80.00%. The announcement followed a tragic collision over San Diego between a Pacific Southwest Airlines jet and a private aircraft that occurred on […]

FAA Revised Separation Standard to Protect Small Aircraft

On March 1, FAA implemented a  to protect small aircraft from wake turbulence, rotating air currents trailed by large aircraft. The danger from these wake vortices had grown with the introduction of “jumbo” jetliners. The new standard required separation between a “heavy” aircraft (over 300,000 pounds) and an aircraft operating behind it to be five miles, instead […]