WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board wants the FAA to modify its procedures for directing traffic around major airports. This is to reduce the possibility of mid-air collisions when a landing aircraft must conduct a go-around. Five incidents involving departing aircraft and go-arounds were studied by the NTSB. In each case the crews […]
Opinion
Jet market forecast to grow
The market for the sales of business jets is expected to grow over the next 20 years, according to a report issued by Bombardier Aerospace. The forecast estimates that worldwide, about 24,000 business jets will be delivered in the years before now and 2032. Sales this year are expected to remain about as they were […]
House Committee passes GA revitalization act
WASHINGTON, D.C.—An aviation committee in the House of Representatives passed by unanimous vote the Small Airplane Revitalization Act Wednesday, July 10 — the first step toward cutting certification costs on aircraft and equipment. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) introduced the bill, which had 31 co-sponsors. The bill’s stated purpose is to “advance the safety and continued […]
House blocks light bulb mandate — is ethanol next?
According to The Hill, the U.S. House this week blocked implementation of light bulb mandates that are part of the same EISA 2007 Act that mandates the adulteration of our nation’s gasoline supply with ethanol. According to the article, “The House on Wednesday voted to block the enforcement of light bulb standards that many say […]
FAA could solve mogas confusion
My co-author, Kent Misegades, recently wrote an article about the confusion of some in airport management about allowing mogas operations on an airport. Sad to say, it isn’t just a few airport managers. There is widespread ignorance about mogas use in aviation that permeates the FAA bureaucracy, the aviation alphabets, aviation media, state aviation departments […]
The high cost of pointless reporting
On Sunday, July 7, an Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul crashed on the runway at San Francisco International Airport. The airplane impacted just short of the threshold, causing substantial damage to the airframe. The tail departed the fuselage before the airplane came to rest. A fire ensued. These are facts. I point this out because […]
Still a mighty interesting way to run an airport
It’s still going great guns — one of America’s most unusual airports. Complete with Western theme buildings, 28-room on-airport motel and airplane-shaped swimming pool, it’s the recreational center of its community. And this one-time “aeronautical dude ranch” lives on in…wait for it…New Jersey! Noted for its concept and marketing, Flying W Ranch is now the […]
Confused in Texas
Recently we heard from an exasperated reader from a major general aviation airport in southeastern Texas. Like many of his fellow recreational pilots in the Lone Star state, he had asked his new airport manager for help getting mogas onto the airfield as a means to lower the cost of flying. He had even gone […]
Piper testing Airworthy Autogas
Piper Aircraft announced today that they are working with Airworthy Autogas to test the company’s new aviation-grade mogas in its latest Lycoming-powered aircraft. As described in this press release issued today, “Piper Aircraft Inc. has completed flight tests of a Piper Archer powered by 93 octane premium unleaded automotive gasoline. Piper worked with Airworthy AutoGas […]