Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. I am not alone in thinking Part 103 ultralight aircraft are the ideal platform for initial development of electric powered aircraft. Sure, someday you’ll be able to fly your 2-4 seater for 300-400 miles or more, recharge in the […]
Opinion
Another 3-month extension for FAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Both houses of Congress passed bills Sept. 23 giving the FAA another temporary extension. A joint bill is expected to be passed easily this week. This will be the 15th temporary funding measure the agency has had since 2007. The three-month extension will give the political body time to again try to […]
It’s show time for the Midwest LSA Expo
Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, is an expert on Light Sport Aircraft. The second annual Midwest LSA Expo is set to launch. The exhibitor count is up from last year’s inaugural event, according to main organizer Chris Collins. Print and web publisher Roy Beisswenger has organized a slate of forums, including […]
Does Obama recognize the value of aviation?
Charles Spence is GAN’s Washington, D.C., correspondent. Some Washington aviation groups are expressing cautious optimism over the President Obama’s proposed $50 billion stimulus plan, hoping that including aviation in the proposal could mean an indication of the administration’s greater recognition of the value of flight. The proposal would provide funds for roads, rail, and runways. […]
Mogas for the masses — if you dare
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. Prepare yourself for a blatant plug. I’m going to suggest you click on a link that will take you to a General Aviation News blog post on the topic […]
EASA warns against ethanol in aviation fuels
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 recently-released study from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), titled “Safety Implications of Biofuels […]
TTF gets Capitol Hill hearing
The huge divide between proponents and opponents to “through-the-fence” agreements at federally-funded airports boiled to the top at a hearing held by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House Wednesday, Sept. 22. Access to the airport, property values, limits or access to the airport for businesses and residents, value of property with access, local […]
Want an unmanned aircraft or two with that?
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. In August, Washington was abuzz over an unmanned Northrup Grumman Firescout helicopter that escaped Navy test controllers […]
How to count training by a Sport Pilot instructor
A gentleman at Oshkosh asked me a question about Sport Pilot instructors and I’m afraid I gave a misleading answer. Even though I inhabit the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft space all day, every day, it isn’t hard to get a detail incorrect. My expertise is on the LSA side and less so the SP side, so […]