LETTER TO THE EDITOR I am responding to Charles Spence’s request for comments about a name for GA that describes how we use our airplanes without separating the reasons for flight (Is there a better name than general aviation?). At first glance this request sounds like an oxymoron — a self-contradictory idea. On closer examination, […]
Opinion
No. 41: A father passes on his passion for flying — and his license number
SHORT FINAL By DEB McFARLAND Pickens County Airport in Jasper, Georgia, is a nice airport, but it’s not particularly known as a hub of aeronautical excitement. However, every now and then we have a visitor who attracts notice. Such was the introduction of pilot and veteran, Jesse William Lankford Jr., who recently attended our annual […]
Time for a new name?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Re: Charles Spence’s Capital Comments, “Is there a better name than general aviation?“: I absolutely agree. General aviation does not cut it. The word general is equal in context to “average” — and nothing wants to be considered average. I would look to boating as a comparison. There is no such […]
EPA predicts E15 approval in 2010 despite widespread opposition
As reported by the New York Times, despite widespread opposition and scant results from ongoing testing of vehicles burning E15, the EPA is already predicting it will approve lifting the current limit of ethanol in vehicle fuels from 10% to 15% by the end of 2010. Admitting that vehicles built before 2001 would need to […]
E15 still not ready for prime-time, EPA says
In an article appearing recently in the Raleigh News & Observer, the EPA has stated that more testing is needed before E15 can be used in automobiles. This article also comments on the fuel’s use in other vehicles, however does not mention aircraft. From our perspective, the EPA makes light of hundreds of strong, well-founded […]
Climategate scandal widens
21st Century science should be good science, but it isn’t. Climategate scientists prove that money talks. This opinion piece from the Wall Street Journal documents how man-made global-warming theorists have been manipulating data in their efforts to maintain funding of pet projects. Given that such theories provide a fundamental justification for the pursuit of “renewable” […]
Turbulence ahead
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 […]
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 […]