The FAA has announced changes to the Sport Pilot regulations, addressing issues the agency says have arisen since it first issued the rules for Light Sport Aircraft in 2004. The amendments, which become effective April 2, also will bring Sport Pilot ratings more in line with requirements for other ratings, according to FAA officials. The […]
Opinion
Good works, good PR
General aviation proponents, national and local, are far more aggressive now than in the past seeking and getting favorable news reporting, giving many in the industry reason for optimism. Helping to get this more favorable reporting is the dedicated work of general aviation interests in rushing aid to Haiti for earthquake relief. General aviation is […]
User fee decision only a breather
General aviation groups and many members of Congress gleefully commented on President Obama’s decision to not ask for general aviation fees in the 2011 budget, but all agree there is a need to keep their guards up to prevent the charges from being called for again in coming years. The Air Transport Association, which represents […]
The Douglas incubator
In the aftermath of the First World War, the stream of government money dried up and the manufacturing of aircraft declined drastically. In this period, when the market for new aircraft was almost nonexistent, it hardly seemed time for a new enterprise to start manufacturing aircraft. But there were those with the desire to design […]
Hanshew and Visser columns on fuels breath of fresh air
The articles recently posted from Steve Bill Hanshew (Passing gas) and Ben Visser (The demise of 100LL is no surprise) were a breath of fresh air, devoid of the usual P.C. claptrap surrounding most environmental debate these days. We, the co-authors of the online GaFuels blog, would like to add a few points to this […]
Ask Paul: More on hot engine starts
Q: I’d like to offer my response to a hot engine start (What is the procedure for a hot engine start?). If I know I’m going to have a quick turnaround after engine shutdown, this is what I do: I throttle up to about 1,500 rpm, then I turn the fuel selector to off. By […]
New concerns about ethanol production
These two articles document new concerns about ethanol production and its impact on our environment. Corn Ethanol Climate Positive … in 100 Years A Possible Negative Impact of Ethanol Production on Water Quality The GAfuels Blog is written by three private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft. They are: Dean […]
‘Washington, we have a problem’
GUEST EDITORIAL By DAVE HOOK Each time I read of a new security proposal that will impact general aviation, I feel like keying the mic button and saying, “Washington, we have a problem.” You know, just to see if anybody’s listening. That’s because our freedom to fly is at risk. Risk — now that’s a […]
Ask Paul: Why are Piper and Cessna mag checks different?
Q: During a checkout in a Piper Cherokee, (I had only Cessna experience), I asked the CFI why Piper has me check the mags at 2,000 rpm and Cessna at 1,700 rpm on what is, essentially, the same engine? My opinion is that it is not a deal breaker to not have exactly the rpm […]