Last week I was watching TV when I heard a loud clap of thunder and saw a flash. This was followed by the lights going out and the very sickening sound of electronics going bye-bye from the computer desk. The next morning the lights were back on, but the computer had sacrificed its life to […]
Avgas Economics 101
After I wrote about my visit to Swift Fuels, I received several notes asking why it would be so difficult to determine a price for the finished product. I have a good friend who runs an auction company and when I ask him what something is worth, he usually replies, “Whatever someone is willing to […]
The staggering chicken test
In response to a previous column in which I expounded on the problem of exhaust valve recession with unleaded fuels, I received a note from Ron Newberg, which reminded me of work done by the oil companies back in the early 1970s. I actually ran some of these tests, in which we demonstrated that Tri-Cresyl […]
Our fuels expert visits Swift Fuels
Swift Fuels has been working on a 100 octane unleaded avgas for a number of years. I have been, shall we say, less than enthusiastic about the company’s work for various reasons. However, as of late, the company seems to be making some real progress, so I drove down to Indiana to visit its facility. […]
Ethanol: It will get you coming and going
Recently, reader Frank Klein asked if he should be concerned about filling up containers of auto gas for his plane if the previous customer pumped 10% ethanol fuel from a pump island that uses a common dispensing hose for several grades of auto gas. When I do some rough calculations, I figure that the amount […]
Oil giant pulls out of 100LL business
UPDATE: Calls from AOPA and EAA Tuesday morning inform us Ben’s column is incorrect. Exxon-Mobil will continue the manufacture of unbranded 100LL fuel. Exxon-Mobil will discontinue branded fuel sales under the Exxon Avitat flag. We are awaiting confirmation from Exxon’s public relations people. I recently read that Exxon-Mobil stopped manufacturing and selling 100LL. (I tried […]
What part of ‘no’ don’t they understand?
One of the joys of being retired is that I get to read more of the newspaper each evening. Now the front page has all of the big stories that are of worldwide importance, like the Kim Kardashian marriage that lasted only 72 days. But if you read the inside pages, you can find some […]
Why lead reduces knock
In the Sept. 23, issue of General Aviation News, there was a letter to the editor from Jack Thompson, who wrote: “Re: Visser’s Voice: Knock free, Aug 26 issue: It is a sad commentary given that the IC engine is such an integral part of aviation that the user community is so ignorant of its […]
Winterizing your plane
A couple of days ago when I went out for my morning walk I noticed something had changed. Instead of warm and sunny, there was a chill in the air. I then realized that fall is approaching and I needed a jacket. The same kind of thing happens to many pilots each year. They are […]