WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Next Generation Air Transportation System — known as NextGen — moved two steps closer to reality in late August when new programs became operational. The FAA deployed a new system called Time-Based Flow Management (TBFM), a scheduling tool that meters aircraft through all phases of flight in order to deliver the […]
Opinion
You don’t get what you wish for
It’s a simple truism that is all too often forgotten or ignored as we age: You don’t get what you wish for. You only get what you work for. And more often than not you’ll only see a percentage of that. Being a grown-up can be tough. Certainly any one of us might hope to […]
A new approach to LSA certification
“It’s always been done this way” begins a familiar statement for someone defending a long-standing practice. The reference here is to the nearly 10-year-old category of Light-Sport Aircraft and how these airplanes are permitted to fly across the USA. It is no longer being done the old way and the results are good. The Sport […]
Congress returns to busy schedule
After its August vacation, Congress returns to Capitol Hill Sept. 9 with a full plate of issues, some of which will directly affect general aviation. As usual in Washington, money is on top of the plate. Sequestration appears again; the U.S. must raise its debt limit — again — to keep borrowing money; and that […]
An auspicious visit
Daniel Webster is a member of the US House of Representatives, sent to Washington on behalf of the people of Florida’s 10th Congressional district. One of his committee assignments is Transportation and Infrastructure, which includes 21st Century Freight Transportation, Aviation, Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. So it will come as no surprise that I was […]
Georgetown adds mogas
Aviation Fuel Club member Charles McKinney sent us the news this week that the Brown County Airport (KGEO) in Georgetown, Ohio, now has 91 AKI mogas for sale. The Brown County Pilots Association has been hard at work with numerous improvements to this airport located 30 miles southeast of Cincinnati, as described in this article […]
My last nerve
This summer I had an eye-opening life experience — not with my own mortality, thank goodness, but with my own mobility. I am 50. In the scheme of things, I am a mere pup in the flying community. I am healthy and very active. I fly, hike and garden. I am always busy doing something, […]
Oil and gas boom great news for airports
As reported last year in this blog, the expansion of oil and gas exploration in the U.S. and Canada in recent years is having a noticeable impact on the activity at general aviation airports located in or near the fields. For each field, 100 or more service and equipment companies can be involved, and many […]
Old Coot pilots come up with ideas for a new medical
Guest Editorial By John Christensen I recently attended my 50th high school reunion. I had a wonderful time reminiscing with classmates. As one would expect, the rather large crowd quickly organized itself into small groups, according to interests, past and present. I found myself embedded in a pod of old coot pilots. After the hangar stories, […]