Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Question: What looks like two motorgliders flying in really tight formation sharing an engine… er, a motor, literally between them? Can this Burt Rutan-looking aircraft (pictured) win the big dough? And I mean seriously big money with a purse […]
Opinion
Can autogas cause ‘varnish’ in carburetors?
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114. Recently, the owner of a 1936 Boeing Stearman PT-13 with a 300-hp Lycoming radial engine contacted us regarding the […]
What’s behind jump in controller errors?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Air traffic controller errors are on the increase, but whether there are really more incidents or better reporting is not determined, according to experts testifying at a recent hearing by a Senate aviation subcommittee. Operational errors increased a whopping 53% between 2009 and 2010, according to FAA statistics. But FAA Administrator Randy […]
Baumann Floats closes doors
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Pilots interested in a floatplane LSA and airplane sellers seeking floats lost a good supplier recently when Baumann Floats, based at the South St. Paul, Minnesota, airport closed its doors. In an email, General Manager Joe Birkemeyer wrote, “Due […]
Southern Maine Aviation adds autogas, Legislature says no to ethanol
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114. GA pilots in the state of Maine have reason for optimism: The cost of flying there is dropping. Southern […]
It’s more than just an image problem
Imagine that you and your significant other go shopping in a pricey store that’s known for its exclusive clientèle. Think Rodeo Drive, maybe. Walking through the door is a little exciting, if not slightly intimidating, but you make it past security and find yourself on the inside. It isn’t long before you realize that you’re […]
Allegro: Made in the USA
One of the early success stories in Light-Sport aviation was the Allegro. The #3 Special LSA to be approved started out so strong that even after three years of no sales following the collapse of the Czech Fantasy Air company, Allegro still holds the #14 spot on the SLSA Market Share chart. When Fantasy Air […]
FAA programs extended for one month
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 18th extension for FAA funding of programs expired at midnight Tuesday, May 31, but a committee aide told General Aviation News the programs were extended for one more month. This is the 19th extension. Being just one month in duration might signal both Houses of the Congress are close to agreements […]
Spreading the word
Believe it or not, it’s not easy being an enthusiastic fan of all things aviation. In fact, it can be a challenging job. As with any complex issue, there are disparate factions, consistent dissenters, ne’er-do-wells, and outright bad actors wandering around out there, mixed in with the sincere, the noble, the well-intentioned, and the professionals. […]