Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

It wasn’t Warren Buffet dropping down from the rural Canadian skies for a frozen Blizzard treat at one of his fast-food franchises, but the pilot of a Robinson R44 who landed in a parking lot next to a Tisdale, Saskatchewan Dairy Queen on July 31. That helicopter pilot is now being charged with dangerous operation of an aircraft after, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) determined that airlifting an ice cream cake is not an emergency.

 


The unnamed pilot will make an initial court appearance on September 7 after being charged August 4 with one count of violating&nbsp;Section&nbsp;320.13(1)(a), of the Canadian Criminal Code.

 


The landing caused quite a commotion when the R44 touched down in the otherwise empty parking lot shortly after 5 p.m. in the small town of 3,000, and the RCMP was summoned to investigate. When later interviewed about the incident, the local mayor told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC), “I thought somebody must be hungry.” Dairy Queen ice cream cakes typically sell for $15 to $32, but given court costs and potential fines, this one will undoubtedly cost this pilot considerably more.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

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Move averts potential shutdown

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His career spanned more than five and a half decades

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Kassebaum pushed through the General Aviation Revitalization Act

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Increased fees are to recover pandemic shortfall

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Larger new bizav aircraft face 2027 deadline, while small new turbine bizav aircraft have 2029 deadline

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