In his opening remarks at the Meet the FAA forum during this year’s SUN ’n FUN, FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker, a new pilot, noted that he came in a day early to the show so he could take some time to walk around the grounds and see everything. “I was encouraged to see all the […]
Burt Rutan’s latest project: The SkiGull
Legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan’s latest project is the SkiGull, a seaplane that’s currently undergoing initial hydro testing. Mike Kincaid, a seaplane expert who has written often for General Aviation News and happens to live near Burt’s retirement home in Couer d’Alene, Idaho, reports that the SkiGull “will land very slowly, takeoff quickly, cruise fast, […]
GA’s long-term outlook ‘favorable’
The long-term outlook for general aviation is favorable, according to the FAA’s recently released Aerospace Forecast. The near-term looks especially good for piston aircraft activity, according to the forecast through 2035, because of declining fuel prices. “After growing rapidly for most of the past decade, and then slowing over the past few years, the most […]
App eases search for airport courtesy cars
On his annual trip to Oshkosh last year, long-time pilot Glenn Brasch flew his newly completed RV-9A, aptly named “10-10-22” for the years, months and days it took him to build the airplane. Flying from Arizona, he made it in one day, but initially planned an overnight stop. As part of that planning process, he […]
GA contributes $219 billion and 1.1 million jobs to U.S. economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the general aviation industry girds itself for the upcoming reauthorization of the FAA, eight alphabet groups joined forces to commission a study to show exactly what GA contributes to the U.S. economy. Using data from 2013, the study, released Feb. 11, shows that GA supports 1.1 million jobs in the U.S., […]
PlaneLogiX: Bringing GA aircraft maintenance into the 21st century
All aircraft owners know the importance of their maintenance logbooks — and just as many look at those records and think “what a mess.” You’re not alone. That’s why three under-30 innovators have created a new aircraft maintenance record backup and transcription program that’s proven to be quite popular with the GA crowd. Called PlaneLogiX, […]
The Cheapskate’s Guide to Getting Your Pilot’s License
With some insider information from a veteran pilot and instructor, aspiring pilots may approach learning to fly in a different way, which is why Arman wrote the book.
Phase 1 testing begins on unleaded avgas
Phase 1 testing of four possible replacements for 100LL begins this month at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City. The four unleaded fuels — one from Shell, one from TOTAL, and two from Swift Fuels — will undergo laboratory and rig testing to analyze a number of factors, including materials compatibility […]
Shell Aviation: A decade of research continues
Last December, Shell Aviation revealed that it was the first major oil company to develop a lead-free replacement for 100LL. The lead-free formulation is the result of 10 years of “exhaustive R&D,” according to company officials. While some worry that large companies will forsake GA as it is such as small segment of the fuels market, Shell […]