By JON BOYD Having spent many decades in the general aviation business, it seems to me that I should be smarter about this industry, but some things continue to confound me. One of those is the reason for what I call the lost generation of aviation. First, let’s define a generation. Most consider it somewhere […]
Opinion
Congressman calls for early start on FAA reauthorization
WASHINGHTON, D.C. — Now is the time to begin laying the groundwork for reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) said during a speech before the International Aviation Club Dec. 11. Although reauthorization isn’t due until September 2015, the aviation system must evolve and modernize, he said, and there are many questions […]
Subcommittee starts looking at ways to prepare for aviation’s future
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An aviation subcommittee in the House of Representatives started early to examine how best to structure the FAA to meet upcoming challenges. During a hearing held Thursday, Dec. 12, the subcommittee members heard suggestions from officials with various aviation organizations. New technologies, new worldwide aviation growth, new businesses and increased populations will […]
The nuclear BMI proposal
GUEST EDITORIAL By PAUL BERGE Public service life can be so unfair. You make one minor suggestion in your role as FAA Air Surgeon, and the aviation world beats a path to your office door waving pitchforks and blogs. In the interest of journalistic fairness, I’ll review the absolute brilliance of FAA Air Surgeon Fred […]
Ask Paul: Fly more, get longer TBO?
Q: I bought my first plane, a 1981 Cessna T182RG, in May 2012. I have been flying this plane frequently and have put over 300 hours on it in the last calendar year. I can tell you that in 2005 it received a factory remanufactured engine from Lycoming and at the 1,000 hour mark got […]
That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong…
Dennis Miller, the comedian, social commentator, and all around intellectual bon vivant, once had a popular cable program that was famous for two things. His guests were encouraged to disagree without becoming disagreeable. There was no shouting on Miller’s show, even when the topics were incendiary enough to have degenerated into a slobbering, spittle-spewing, scream-fest […]
Warren Airport adds mogas
While pilots in much of the country suffer under the high cost of avgas, flyers in northeastern Ohio can now save money by using mogas that has recently become available at the Warren-Skeets Airport (62D). The fuel is currently priced at $4.50 a gallon, saving pilots $1.50 or more compared to avgas prices at other […]
Around the world solo in a Bluebird
Born Mildred Mary Petre in November 1895, the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce made her name during the 1920s and ’30s as a record breaker on land, sea and in the air. She first came to notice by way of several motoring records. In 1929 she turned her attention to the water and gained records for […]
Skycatcher and the future
At the NBAA show this fall, multimillion dollar business jets and working aircraft were the focus. No surprise. After all, the organization is the National Business Aviation Association. While I’ve attended a few times (and am always stunned by the size of the exhibit hall and the opulence of the displays), I was caught off […]