Some of the best energy news in recent years is the discovery of massive oil and gas reserves in the Bakken and Marcellus fields, among others. Thanks to advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), deposits once thought unprofitable have now created an economic boom in Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and other places where […]
Opinion
General aviation as an asset
There were six of us sitting around the table. The local economic development council had just announced the hiring of a new executive director, and the new guy was making the rounds to meet and greet as many people as he could before his official start date rolled around. So the city manager, two directors, […]
Congress passes four-year FAA bill
After 23 short-term extensions, both chambers of Congress passed the four-year funding bill for the FAA. It now goes to the President, who is expected to sign it. This gives the FAA long-term planning after more than four years of delays. The House passed the bill last week and the Senate did so Monday, Feb. […]
Tecnam’s design juggernaut: Do these guys sleep?
Tecnam already released news about its new Sea-Sky Hydroplane option of straight or four-wheel composite amphibious floats for the Echo Classic or Eaglet models. For the Echo, also known as the P92 (referencing 1992), this represents the sixth generation of that model. The in-house-designed Sea-Sky Hydroplanes (pictured) should be present for Sun ’n Fun, according […]
Sebring breaks records
The eighth running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, just finished and a resounding success it was on nearly all counts. Smiles were broad from most attending or exhibiting at Sebring 2012. The weather was the best ever with temperatures hitting 80° and every day sunny and pleasant. We can look at […]
Lead fuel usage not known to non-aviators
“Lead in paint has been a well known public health problem for decades and that product was banned decades ago. No news about that,” said John Ryan, a reporter for Seattle’s KUOW, when I asked why his story focused on avgas rather than the “much bigger threat” of lead paint. “I think most people outside […]
Senate and House committees approve FAA funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaders in the Senate and House Tuesday reached agreement on long-term FAA legislation providing a four-year funding authorization, ending a series of 23 short-term extensions. Committees from both chambers met to vote whether or not to accept the report of the conference committee. Acceptance means the bill will be given to both […]
Bringing out the big guns — with a smile
In North Platte, Nebraska, they celebrate NEBRASKAland Days in June. Driggs, Idaho, pulls out all the stops for Summerfest in July. In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, they mark the joys of summer with Thunder in the Valley, and Salley, South Carolina, hosts the Chitlin Strut in November. The point is this: Regardless of where you live, there […]
Mississippi Senator seeks to require ethanol-free gasoline
Mississippi State Senator Michael Watson has just introduced Senate Bill 2137, “An act to require retail dealers and distributors of gasoline to offer for sale or use nonethanol-blended unleaded premium grade gasoline.” When asked for his motivation, the Senator from Pascagula, on Mississippi’s Gulf coast, replied: “Being from the coast, I continue to hear about […]