WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s a quip here that asks: Why don’t government workers look out of the windows in the morning? The answer is: If they did that they wouldn’t have anything to do in the afternoon. Things are not that bad in all offices, but two examples at the FAA lend credence to that […]
Opinion
Aviation tax reform…indeed
Jeff Smisek is the CEO of United Airlines. His CEO Letter in the November issue of Hemispheres Magazine was titled, “Aviation Tax Reform,” which caught my eye. “The taxation system across transportation modes is broken, and airlines and our customers are paying the price for this irrational structure,” laments Mr. Smisek. The government imposes “17 […]
One size does not fit all
Imagine walking into a restaurant, sitting down, grabbing a menu, and finding only a single item listed there. One entree, that’s it. And let’s limit it to only one size of that entree. You don’t get to choose between the 6 ounce steak, the 9 ounce, or the 12 ounce. It’s the 12-ounce version or […]
FAA names six sites for UAS research
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has selected the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. The sites will conduct tests and research into operational requirements for integrating UAS, more commonly called drones, into the national airspace. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the first site is […]
The covered dish
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Andy Williams assures us that it is. For pilots, it can be. Predicable winter fronts can be followed by a day of wind, then a day or two of CAVU. It ain’t happening this year. Right now in north Georgia there has been rain and fog for […]
NTSB issues 5 general aviation safety alerts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five general aviation safety alerts were issued by the National Transportation Board the week before Christmas, citing the government agency’s focus on reducing GA accidents. “Knowing these accidents, which sometimes include entire families, can be prevented is why ‘general aviation safety’ is on our most wanted list of transportation safety improvements,” NTSB […]
Self-fueling: Do it legally and safely
Reader John Schreiber recently suggested we provide a link to Rick Durden’s AVweb article from Dec. 26 concerning self-fueling, as well as this FAA Docket 16-05-09 from 2009 defending pilots’ rights to self-fuel. Safety concerning self-fueling can not be overemphasized. As a representative of fuel equipment manufacturer U-Fuel of Elk Mound, Wisconsin, I deal with […]
Mogas confessions
GAfuels reader Pete Howell of the Minneapolis area recently posted an article in the newsletter of the Minnesota Wing of Van’s Air Force describing his experiences burning mogas in his Lycoming O-320 – powered RV-9A. Here is an excerpt: “Why would anyone want to burn anything other than aviation fuel? Well, the current aviation fuel […]
Mentoring our way to success
Every week or two I spend time with a young man I have come to respect. He’s smart, creative, curious, and searching for a better way to identify and achieve his goals. So we sit and chat. Sometimes we have coffee and a snack during a brief get together. Sometimes we jabber away for hours. […]