LightSquared’s lobbying has increased in leaps and bounds this year as questions arose over conflicts between frequencies for the company’s planned expansion of a 4G wireless broadband and satellite cell phone network and GPS. The conflict could affect aviation safety and military action as the much stronger 4G network could interfere with GPS frequencies, opponents […]
Opinion
Fall brings opportunities and challenges for LSA
AOPA’s Aviation Summit concluded late last month in Hartford, Conn., in what many view as the final aviation event of the season. Yet as winter approaches in the northern states, the southern states will host events every weekend in October. The LSA Tour series that has seen success in Florida, Georgia, and Colorado will move […]
Fighting user fees brings GA and airlines together
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Confusion in Congress and differences between it and the White House are causing general aviation and the airlines to come into agreement on at least one subject: The President’s proposal to place a $100 fee on every non-recreational flight, in addition to regular fuel and other taxes. General aviation associations were quick […]
Mountain Empire adds autogas
In the latest good news to reach sport aviators in the Southeast, the Mountain Empire Airport (MKJ), located in a lovely mountain valley in western Virginia, has added 93 AKI ethanol-free, lead-free autogas. The popular and energetic manager of the airport, Charlie Hoffnagle, described the change: “We have an all-new airport commission that has made […]
Congress and BARR
Congress has been active in the Block Aviation Registration Request (BARR) program. The FAA recently cancelled the BARR program, permitting anyone to obtain current details of all flight plans and follow flights from takeoff to landing. Officials with AOPA and NBAA say this violates privacy, can be dangerous, and allows business competitors knowledge of a […]
Raising Cain
Last week I went to a dinner where Herman Cain, one of the Republican presidential candidates, was speaking. He spoke well, clearly articulating ideas that were far outside the mainstream of Republican politics, and making them palatable in the process. He was well received, and warmly applauded by the end of the evening. Still some […]
Continental’s IO-360-AF alternative fuel engine
At last week’s AOPA Aviation Summit, Continental Motors impressed many with the announcement of its IO-360-AF engine, an 180-hp powerplant that is a lower-compression ratio version of the company’s IO-360-ES engine. According to John Dorman, director of business development for Flight Design, whose new four-seat C4 aircraft will use the engine, the ability of the […]
What’s going on at the top?
Earlier I wrote about several changes of leadership at LSA producers. Here’s a similar story, one I find quite amazing for its breadth. Consider this: The following organizations — some of the biggest and most influential in aviation — have seen longtime leaders depart: EAA, Sun ‘n Fun, Sebring Expo, and a couple years ago, […]
The power of lasting impressions
Over this past weekend I saw a young man named Zachary Drum stand at the front of a packed room and command the attention of every person in it. At 21 years old, Zachary is not tall or physically imposing. He doesn’t have the booming voice of an evangelical preacher and he never gestures wildly […]