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 […]
Opinion
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 […]
Is global warming debate over?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR I think it is obvious that Ben Visser is a right-wing conservative and being more mainstream myself, I find many of his articles quite irritating. His recent article about global warming, however, was over-the-top and frankly offensive (Global warming debate stifles progress). His clumsy “shot-gun” analogy about the scientific data concerning […]
Six miles up: Pioneering pilots risked life and limb to reach new heights
Suppose you are cruising along in an airliner at 34,000 feet, nestled comfortably in your seat in a heated, pressurized environment. Now image turning to look out of your window and, to your amazement, you catch a glimpse of a cloth-covered triplane with the pilot sitting in the open, wearing heavy coveralls, goggles, a leather […]
Aviation security remains in the spotlight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Confusion, confessions, and condemnation marked hearings by two Senate committees on the same day over aviation security and the Transportation Security Administration. Erroll Southers’ withdrawal of his name to be administrator of the TSA added to the uncertainty of government actions following the embarrassing failure to recognize and stop the terrorist boarding […]