In your Dec. 1 issue Thomas Norton had a brief article, “FAA warns ‘mogas’ users about ethanol.” I was glad to see an article informing readers about the growing usage of ethanol in auto fuel and how it will violate the STC allowing its use. However, Mr. Norton was in error when he stated that […]
Opinion
The latest on NAVAIDS, user fees and fuel rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Should the NAVAIDS at airports go unmonitored when the tower is closed? That’s a question the FAA is asking as it proposes leaving certain Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), Localizer Type Directional Aids (LDA), Microwave Landing Systems (MLS), and Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) unmonitored at times when the control tower is not operating. Some […]
And now, the rest of the story: An update on increased levels of copper in oil
After my Nov. 3 column, “”Why are there increased levels of copper in my oil?”” was published, I received some valuable advice from industry experts on the subject. After doing further research, here’s the rest of the story: First of all, the column was on the mark, but I feel I may have been off […]
NEW FORMATA WINNER
I really like the format of the latest General Aviation News and hope that it will continue. 1. The pink pages are no longer all pink. The black print on the pink pages was difficult to read. The black on white is a big improvement. 2. The pink pages are located at the back of […]
FAA EFFICIENCY?
To Charles Spence: I’m sure your Capital Comments column (Fair is fair? FAA, airlines continue blitz for user fees, Nov. 17 issue) went to press before the story by AOPA came out in its internet newsletter on Nov. 24. You know the one where it was pointed out that the FAA had almost $5 billion […]
HOW TO PROTECTYOUR AIRPORT
Have anyone of you any concerns about the Yakima Airport in Washington State and the big new office development along the departure end of the flight path? I think the airport manager is more interested in getting revenue for renting the airport property than in what the sound of airplanes will do when the offices […]
When the wind blows
“Prepare yourself.” You can add that phrase to the list of those I do not want to hear in or around an airplane. The mechanic uttered the warning just before he pulled open the hangar door and showed me a Cessna 172 that was heavily damaged by a windstorm that battered the Pacific Northwest on […]
HAPPY, HAPPY: A long-awaited decision makes this Luscombe owner a happy woman
A friend of mine once told me that he didn’t read most flying magazines because they were full of gloom and doom. Airplanes crashing and pilots doing stupid things were not high on his agenda for enlightening reading. Where, he wondered, were the stories of pilots who did the right things? Of those successful forced […]
What is on Santa’s list for GA’s movers and shakers?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leaking news to reporters is a favorite indoor sport practiced by almost everyone in this town. While most reporters will not reveal their sources, I gladly will. My source for these items comes straight from the top man himself — Santa Claus. He revealed to me what some of Washington’s movers and […]