Having just received the latest copy of GANews, I was excited to see on the cover an article on the new aircraft engine offerings at AirVenture this year (Bright new engine ideas at AirVenture, Aug. 24 issue). Although each of the engines covered in the story exhibited new technologies, a notable omission was the ULPower […]
Opinion
ADS-B not the first
In the story, FAA to expand ADS-B nationwide in the Aug. 24 issue, it says that ADS-B promises to increase situational awareness for all pilots because, for the first time, pilots will be able to see real-time displays of traffic. Does no one else remember reading of the experiment at Atlanta wherein the approach control […]
Can I use a yellow tagged camshaft in my Wittman Tailwind?
I have a Lycoming O-320-D2A that will be going into a Wittman Tailwind. The crankcase and crankshaft are yellow tagged. The camshaft is really pitted and will need to be replaced. I imagine the followers will need replacing also unless refurbishing them isn’t a big deal. My question is this: There’s a possibility that I […]
A LESSON LEARNED
On a bright, Saturday morning not too long ago, my wife Kathy and I drove to our hangar at the Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland. Since we were pressed for time, we decided just to make several takeoffs and landings in our Mooney Ovation 2000. During my pre-flight, I noticed that I had about two […]
QUIT WHINING ABOUT ETHANOL
There’s the problem with ethanol-based fuel! It may consume more energy in its production that it itself will produce. It may cost more than petroleum-based fuels it replaces. Taxpayers may have to continue subsidizing it until the public comes to its senses. However, until that happens politicians and newspaper editors, particularly here in the Corn […]
The “Greenies” are coming and we’d better watch out
I don’t want to seem like an alarmist, but the new environmental religion has become a threat to aviation, and the threat is very real. Ten protesters at London’s Biggin Hill were arrested last month while blocking access to private aircraft, which make up most of the traffic at that historic airfield. They were protesting […]
NO AMOUNT OF MONEY
Being a retired flight instructor, I really enjoyed the article “Why can’t you find a CFI?” in the July 20 issue. The comments of all the people who contributed to that article brought back a lot of memories and this is one of them: We rolled to a stop and I got out of the […]
THE LIGHTER SIDE
I just picked up the July 20 edition and read the Scuttlebutt column, “Fear, full frontal nudity. . .and real estate.” Excellent humor! Loved the part about “I want my mommy” when given clearance for a “full approach!” I’m a retired Army aviator now working for Era Helicopters in Lake Charles, La. It’s refreshing to see […]
FAA administrator moves on: Successor will jumpinto the user fee debate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marion Blakey’s term as FAA administrator expires Sept. 13. She will become president of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the lobbying trade group of companies involved primarily with military and commercial aerospace. At one time, nine companies that produced general aviation aircraft and engines were a part of AIA. They were called […]