As is my custom, I started the day at a friendly local coffee shop. The caffeine is essential to my diet, the camaraderie of the patrons is important to my mental health, and the slow ramp-up to my full working frenzy keeps me in the game for the long haul. I like going out for […]
Opinion
Remembering Paul Poberezny
A fellow EAA chapter 1114 member once said, “Everyone in the EAA is greater than you’d think.” That certainly pertains to the organization’s founder. Among homebuilders, the name Poberezny has always evoked awe, and my respect for this gentle giant of a man grew steadily since first reading of him as a teenage student pilot […]
Mogas and the myth of liability
Recently a GAfuels reader sent us the following message: “Yesterday I had some work done by a Rotax maintenance facility near me. During our chat, we recounted his experience and training as an A&P, IA, pilot and FBO owner. With Rotax-powered aircraft of his own and a source of income for his business, I asked him […]
Taking the reins at AOPA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has a new president: Mark Baker. Rumors of the appointment were rampant at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, but the official announcement wasn’t made until Aug. 20. Baker is only the fifth person to be president of AOPA. Actually, he is the sixth. The first was T. […]
Proposed AD could have devastating effect on GA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — From the 1940s to the 1970s, Max Karant was a senior vice president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) who tirelessly and fearlessly fought for the interests of GA. Even though he frequently was blunt and sometimes vicious in his discussions with — and about — the FAA, most people […]
A new life for this old veteran?
Its nose is seemingly tucked up to the Chevy dealership across the street in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. But this piston-era behemoth is in for more than an oil change. The Perna family wants to complete a DC-7-based restaurant for their northeast Florida airport. Globe-circling DC-7Cs, the ultimate in Douglas’ legendary piston airliner line, were […]
The distraction meter pegs
It was only recently I learned, with some considerable consternation, that CNN is reviving “Crossfire.” This is a show that ran five days a week on the Cable News Network from 1982 through 2005. In the news release announcing the rebirth of this appalling, pointless, loud, bombastic, repetitive program that is almost completely without merit, […]
Why gas prices aren’t dropping
Your bloggers have frequently reported that our country is now the largest producer of natural gas. We’re a net exporter of refined gasoline and it’s estimated that we will be the world’s largest producer of crude oil by 2020. As a result of the ongoing economic malaise and the continued improvement of gas mileage (primarily a […]
Arlington adds mogas
Pilots in the Pacific Northwest are enjoying lower-cost fuel and reduced lead problems ever since Arlington Flight Services at the Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO) added aviation-grade, 92 AKI mogas earlier this month. As many know, this airport hosts the annual Arlington Fly-In each July, one of the largest sport aviation events in the country. The availability […]