Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. In my rounds with videographer Dave Loveman at last month’s U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., to shoot more LSA videos, we uncovered two new Special LSA models that were not previously on the semi-official SLSA List. I […]
Opinion
GA and the middle class: The Great Divergence
Drew Steketee was president of BE A PILOT, senior vp-communications for AOPA and executive director of the Partnership for Improved Air Travel. He also headed PR and media relations for Beech, GAMA and the Airport Operators Council International. My General Aviation is for everyone — or at least for a lot of people of varying […]
Can aviation change America?
Jamie Beckett is a CFI and A&P mechanic who stepped into the political arena in an effort to promote and protect GA at his local airport. It’s a valid question: Can aviation change America? I don’t mean I’m curious to know if it can affect the relatively small percentage of the population that’s consistently involved […]
Aviation Fuel Club takes off, as AOPA chief’s number don’t add up
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer and aviation journalist. The 2011 Sport Aviation EXPO in Sebring is now history, and if you have read […]
Senate starts action on FAA reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Passage of the reauthorization bill for the FAA cannot be delayed any further, Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday, calling its passage “essential” after 17 temporary extensions. He brought the bill up as the first item on the Senate’s agenda in the 212th session of Congress. Reid, Senate Majority Leader, three other […]
Irony in LSA market report
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. You just have to marvel how a dynamic new industry unfolds. No matter your level of expertise, no one can foretell the future of the grand experiment we call Light-Sport aviation. So, what’s the irony? After all the years […]
Rockefeller re-introduces FAA bill on NextGen and safety
Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced legislation Friday to improve air safety and set time tables for NextGen (Next Generation Air Transportation System). The bill sets many requirements on the FAA, as well as establishes deadlines for the adoption of NextGen navigation and surveillance technology. For example, it would require development of these procedures at […]
Citizen group to measure lead around Vero Beach Airport
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer and aviation journalist. A group of concerned citizens in Vero Beach, Fla., calling itself the Airport Oversight Committee, […]
Support to end 3rd Class Medical grows
GUEST EDITORIAL By DAVID WARTOFSKY In addition to many great e-mails and telephone calls from around the USA, my petition to replace the 3rd class medical for aircraft under 6,000 lb. with a driver’s license, like for LSA pilots, has gathered almost 800 supporting comments so far. I’ve even heard the FAA has been floating […]