Air Transportation

Head of Phoenix-Based Stern Produce Co. and Family Killed in Plane Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a single-engine plane crash that claimed the lives of a prominent Arizona family last weekend. According to ABC15 in Phoenix, William Stern, 65, head of Stern Produce Co., the Phoenix-based food supplier, his wife Jennifer, 53, and daughter, Kate ... More >>

The World's First Airborne Mexican Delivery System: The Burrito Bomber

The Tacocopter turned out to be a hoax, a mere pipe dream or publicity stunt. But this, the Burrito Bomber, is an actual working prototype with video evidence of its success. See Also: -The Tacocopter Might Be A Hoax, But Don't Give Up the Dream -Chill Drinks Extra Fast, With SCIENCE. The Burrito ... More >>

An Eccentric Ad Man Loses His Helicopter to the Feds

Arriba Mexican Grill CEO and Three Others Killed in Helicopter Crash

Raymond P. Perry, president and CEO of Arriba Mexican Grill, a local New Mexican-style Mexican food chain with six locations in the Valley, was among four people killed on Saturday when their helicopter crashed into the Verde River on a flight from Sedona to the Scottsdale Airport, the Republic repo ... More >>

Mary Purcell Called in Bomb Threat to Keep Family From Flying on Eve of 9/11 Anniversary

*Fake bomb.​A New York woman really didn't want her mother and brother flying on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, terrorist attacks -- so she called in a bomb threat, according to federal authorities.Mary Purcell, 37, of Lake Ronkonkoma, anonymously called the Tucson Airport Au ... More >>

Morning Poll: Who Do You Believe in US Airways Dispute With Pilots Union?

​A union representing pilots for Tempe-based US Airways took out a full-page ad in USA Today Friday, alleging the airline tried to intimidate a pilot into flying a malfunctioning airplane.In total, the US Airways Pilots Association claims, six pilots refused to fly the aircraft before the airline ... More >>

"JetMan" Yves Rossy Cancels Flight Over Grand Canyon; Cites Lack of Training. We're Calling BS

Yves Rossy: publicity stuntman.​Swiss daredevil Yves Rossy, 51, was scheduled to jump out of a helicopter near Eagle Point and, using his homemade jet-propelled wingsuit, fly west along the rim of the Grand Canyon this morning. He pimped the event for weeks. People headed to the Canyon ... More >>

Kevin Smith (a.k.a. Silent Bob) Coming to Phoenix, But Won't Be Flying Southwest

Silent Bob is headed for the Valley. But will he fly Southwest Airlines to get here? Chances are good that you've read a thing or two about Kevin Smith on the Internets lately. The outspoken -- and oversized -- auteur (the director of such indie flicks Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Dogma) has received ... More >>

Two Middle-Eastern Men Detained at Sky Harbor for "Speaking Loudly" and Watching The Kingdom on DVD

www.thedailyshow.com​Two Middle-Eastern men were detained by federal and local authorities Saturday night at Sky Harbor International Airport after passengers on their U.S. Airways flight told flight attendants the pair was "acting suspiciously."The men weren't running up the aisles screamin ... More >>

Mesa Air Group Being Sued by Mom Thrown Off Plane for Breast-Feeding

www.photobucket.com​A Vermont woman, who was thrown off an airplane for refusing to put a blanket over herself while she breast-fed her 1-year-old daughter, is suing Mesa Air Group. The incident happened about three years ago and sparked national protests, or "nurse-ins" at 19 ai ... More >>

Hot Links: Obama's AZ Visit, the Taylor Fire, and a Dozen Babies

​Six pilots violated air space restrictions during President Obama's visit to Arizona on Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA restricted air space within a 30-mile radius of Sky Harbor, allowing only scheduled airline flights and emergency aircraft. The pilots who viol ... More >>

Pissy US Airways Pilot Plans to Continue Fight Against Flight Attendants

Victor J. PalaganoFlight attendants Paula Walker, Brian Shunick, and Sue Burris He's baaaaaaaaack!Four months after a Superior Court judge unceremoniously tossed a libel suit filed by an unhappy U.S. Airways pilot, we've gotten word that the pilot, Ed Gannon, will be appealing the decision.Can' ... More >>

Hot Links: Catholic Priests, All-Stars, and Barking Dogs

An Arizona court of appeals has upheld the conviction of Roman Catholic priest Paul LeBrun, who was found guilty of sex crimes while working parishes in Tolleson and Avondale. The judge in the original 2006 trial, Crane McLennen, gave LeBrun the max sentence: 111 years...US Airways will eliminate 60 ... More >>

Just Announced: Tool, Blink 182, Tori Amos

It always catches us off gaurd, but Arizona-based winemaker and film producer Maynard James Keen occasionally still dabbles in his side project, making spooky prog metal with his band Tool. The band's show at U.S. Airways is this week's biggest show announcement, headlining a list of thin summer of ... More >>

Hot Links: Swine Flu, Cardinals, and Jedi Mind Tricks

Although no cases of swine flu have been reported in Arizona, officials are taking precautions: The Arizona Department of Health is talking with Centers for Disease Control, doctors are urging people with flu-like symptoms to stay home from work, and US Airways is waiving its change fees fo ... More >>

Swine Flu Causes US Airways and American to Relax Ticket-Change Policies

US Airways announced today it will relax ticketing policies for passengers scheduled this week to fly to, from, or through a slew of cities in Mexico. The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that American Airlines is making a similar move. The Phoenix-based airline's Web site says passengers s ... More >>

Green Day Announces Tour Dates (But Not Venues), Phoenix in August

Green Day announced dates for their 21st Century Breakdown Tour this morning (full list on jump) but haven't said where they'll be playing in each city. They come to Phoenix on August 22. That could just be a hiccup -- bands do sometimes announce dates before venues if one or two are up in the air ... More >>

Billy Joel and Elton John Show Lacks Special Moments

Luke Holwerda In 1994, when Billy Joel and Elton John first took the stage together in Philadelphia, it was quite a novelty. Two piano-playing singer-songwriters -- who've each sold more than 100 million records on their own -- together in concert! Wowza!Five tours and 15 years later, the newness is ... More >>

Feedback from the Issue of Thursday, March 19, 2009

Hot Links: Obama Chooses Montelucia, Coyotes Reportedly for Sale, and a Monkey Mauling

President Obama has arrived in the Valley, and he's cooling his heels at the new Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley. The resort is a change from the Biltmore, which has traditionally been politicos' resort of choice (except for George W. Bush, who always preferred the Royal Palms)...This ... More >>

Lil Wayne Very Late, Very Predictable at US Airways Center

Robert Brandon Martinez Things I witnessed while waiting nearly two hours for Lil Wayne to perform at US Airways Center on Wednesday night: An impromptu routine by all of opener T-Pain's assortment of dancers, including two midgets, a fire-eating contortionist, two dudes with their faces painted lik ... More >>

Dec. 19 In Blogs: Shaq, Lil Wayne, Cove Trattoria and More

We understand that in the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. Worry not! We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries: Valley Fever: Shaq's Big Truck Gets Loaded With Presents -- Santa Must Have Sleigh En ... More >>

Shoe and Tell

Learn how to do 26.2 without croaking

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, June 28, 2007

Snake on a Plane

Continental Airlines had a cold-blooded killer on board but refused law enforcement's pleas to land

And now for something completely different: ScrewLooseChange blogger Pat Curley on the BBC!

A Controlled Performance

United 93’s Ben Sliney, as played by an actor who understood the role

Wild Stallions

"Part history lesson, part equestrian ballet"

Unfriendly Skies

Frank Nickman was the perfect pilot-in-training. But some thought he was just another terrorist.

Jerry's World

Jerry Colangelo and his pals have gobbled up the lion’s share of public development dollars. If downtown’s to be saved, City Hall’s got to share the wealth.

Fly-By Right

Now that's food good enough to carry-on any flight

Have Gun, Won't Travel

Bounty hunters with guns don't fly Southwest. And a brunette bombshell in Janet's ranks.

Suburban Nightmare

Anger Management Tour brings Slim Shady to Valley of the Sun

Large and In Charge

Fat Arizonans, rest easy. Janet Napolitano will be your heavy.

Best Tribute To A Band

TNT

Hidden Agenda

Covered-up Tempe documents surface, proving deception on stadium site

Nite Court

Can the Phoenix Suns' experimental basketball program really turn cons into straight shooters?

Rimsza Job

Skippy to Phoenix: "It's All Good"

Austin, We Have a Problem!

What happens when you cram too much music into one city and two pairs of eardrums? Nothing, if you move too fast to hear it all.

An Endowed Chair

Senator John McCain's push for campaign-finance reform has helped make him a presidential contender. Donations from special interests that appear before his Senate Commerce Committee haven't hurt, either

Chance of a Ghost

You've Got Meal

Bordering on Exploitation

A couple hours from Phoenix, tens of thousands of Mexicans work on maquiladora assembly lines for $1 an hour, making the toys and tools of American convenience. Critics say the maquila system lets U.S. corporations maximize profits on the backs of Third W

Forever Man

At America West Arena, Eric Clapton's bloated ensemble proves too much of a good thing

My Dog Is Lost! Details at 10.

Why you shouldn't own a dog that won't fit under the seat in front of you

Scrum of the Earth

Tempe's Old Devils to play for national rugby championship

End of a Smear

County Attorney Richard Romley thought he had parlayed a trivial investigation into the resignation of one of his chief political rivals. But Attorney General Grant Woods decided that his top assistant would not be sacrificed to prosecutorial overreaching

SIR CHARLES' GUIDE TO THE VALLEY'S WILD SIDE

ARMS APPRECIATIONARTISTS FOLLOW THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME SPINE

DESPERATELY SEEKING SUNDRIES

NATIONAL SCAVENGER HUNT BECOMES AN OBSESSION