Aircraft shipments and billings were down in 2009 from the year before and, for the first time, more than half the business jets went to customers outside of North America, with export billings accounting for more than half all aircraft sales. This was reported at the annual industry review held today by the General Aviation […]
Opinion
A time to mourn and a time to dance
SHORT FINAL By DEB McFARLAND I am blessed that my aviation experiences have been nurtured in a strong community of good-hearted souls who share and foster the passion of flying. There is nothing finer than to plop down in a northern Alabama grass field on a warm Saturday and enjoy the camaraderie of friends and […]
Leave the politics aside
LETTER TO THE EDITOR What Mr. Mortensen demonstrated in his letter to the the editor (Global warming debate: Is it over?) was the role politics and emotion play in the global warming debate. The debate is not over when the underlying science of global warming is undermined by “e-mailgate” and some of the hyperbolic statements […]
An advocate in OKC
LETTER TO THE EDITOR I read with interest the article on special issuance renewals, “Waiting for a letter from OKC to fly again?”), where you state that it’s not as bad as a few years ago. As a pilot who has been on a special issuance for over 20 years, I would like to add […]
Mainstream Aviation
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Re: Is there a better name for general aviation?: I suggest “Mainstream Aviation.” On first consideration, one might think that commercial aviation better fits this moniker. But most of the thousands of passengers who fly commercially have no actual connection to or stake in aviation as a field of endeavor. They […]
EPA reduces cellulosic ethanol quotas, but not overall quotas
The EPA has finally announced the 2010 RFS standard, albeit several months late. While there is no change in the ethanol mandate increase — the gasoline industry must blend more than 12 billion gallons of ethanol in 2010, up from 10.5 billion gallons in 2009 — the real surprise is that the EPA is not […]
Changes to Sport Pilot finalized
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 […]
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 […]