WASHINGTON, D.C. — Make sure your seatbelt is fastened tightly as turbulence is expected in 2010. Once again the FAA will be working under a temporary extension. Presidential and Congressional interests have been focused on reforming healthcare, so subjects like reauthorizing a government agency are getting short shrift. When Congress does get around to the […]
Opinion
Marathon recreational fuel suited for aircraft
Marathon Oil Co. is marketing a 90 octane unleaded non-ethanol gasoline as a recreational fuel for boats. We believe this fuel to be perfectly suited for use with 87 octane auto fuel STCs. In some locations it is one octane point higher, 91 octane. 91 octane is suitable for use with all auto fuel STCs. […]
Alcohol in fuels
The EAA recently published an article in its online “Light Plane World” reviewing the various aspects of operating small aircraft engines when ethanol might be present in Mogas. Building on past work by your bloggers and others, the article does a good job of providing ample warning of the various problems that can occur when […]
SC airport reports continued supply of Mogas
Thanks to Cal Hoffman of the Barnwell Regional Airport (BNL) in Barnwell, S.C., for informing us that the airport has a supply of 93 octane (AKI), ethanol-free, lead-free Mogas on the field. He does not expect any disruptions to the supply in the near future, and suggests that the strong demand for ethanol-free fuel from […]
EPA working with ethanol lobby to force E15 fuels
Your bloggers just came across this letter (download here) from the EPA dated Nov. 30, written to the heads of the ethanol lobby (Gen. Wesley Clark and Jeff Broin of Growth Energy), essentially promising to force E15 on us all next year despite widespread opposition. Car companies and hundreds of other companies and organizations affected […]
Support for ethanol in fuels eroding
Two recent articles in the New York Times chronicle eroding public support for ethanol production mandates and its use in vehicle fuels: “A Growing Disaster”, by Russell Harding, 11/28/2009 “US Unlikely to use the Ethanol Congress Ordered”, Matthew Wald, 11/26/2009 The GAfuels Blog is written by three private pilots concerned about the future availability of […]
ATC under fire
A breakdown of the FAA computers Nov. 19 brought severe criticism from members of Congress, FAA unions, and others. For the second time in just more than a year, the air traffic computer system went down and brought about massive delays for airlines, general aviation flights under instrument flight rules, and other actions that require […]
A story we need to share
At the conclusion of October’s Copperstate Fly-In, held at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ) in Arizona, I attended the annual awards banquet. As luck would have it, I sat at a great table. Seated with me was Chris Christiansen (and his parents), designer/builder of the award-winning Savor, Dave Edwards from Las Vegas, who turned me […]
Another FAA temporary extension needed
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It looks like the FAA will need another temporary extension. After more than two years, the Senate continues to drag its feet in reauthorizing the FAA. Even many members of the Senate are fed up with the way that body is ignoring the needs of the FAA. Led by Sen. John Kerry […]