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 […]
Opinion
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 […]
Too many LSAs?
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. How many is too many? As the Light-Sport Aircraft industry has now reached 114 FAA approved models, some have started to say, “Enough!” True, a small number have already left the roster, but even those may not be permanent […]
FAA Reauthorization top priority for new Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reauthorization of the FAA is one of the main concerns for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives, according to its new chairman, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.). The FAA has been operating on a series of short-term extensions since 2007. The last full authorization for the agency was passed […]
Sebring’s over… but next: Florida LSA Tour
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. Every now and then the marketing geniuses in Light-Sport aviation have an exceptionally good idea. Here’s one of them: Initially organized by SportairUSA’s Bill Canino and now-American Legend marketer Dave Graham (formerly of Gobosh), a flock of planes, including […]
Ask Paul: Why are holes larger than dowel pins?
Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired after almost 40 years with Lycoming. Q: I recently saw your article about Narrow Deck vs. Wide Deck and believe you are just the person to ask this question. A fellow AMT has been field overhauling his Lycoming O-360A1A engine. It is a “first run engine” out of […]
Let silence reign
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. My local newspaper, The News Chief, ran a piece in its Reader’s Rants and Raves section this week that read as follows; “Where are the clear-thinking Winter Haven leaders […]