Back in November 2010 I wrote a blog about separating ethanol from E10 by a method that is commonly known as “washing.” Looks like pilots don’t get it. There has been an ongoing conversation on backcountrypilot.org about separating ethanol from auto fuel by “washing” it out with water — scroll down to the entry by […]
Pursuing the dream of unlimited flight time
What if an aircraft could take off and stay in flight – forever? On Tuesday, Nov. 1, at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, aerospace engineer Craig Nickol will present “Fly Forever: Pursuing the Dream of Indefinite Endurance Flight,” at 2 p.m. in the Reid Conference Center. Nickol will discuss current and future projects where […]
Centurion diesel engine for Diamond DA-40
Centurion Aircraft Engines now also offers the 155-hp diesel aircraft engine Centurion 2.0s for retrofitting the Diamond DA40. The European Aircraft Safety Agency (EASA) authorized the retrofit at the beginning of September, and production of the new Centurion product has already been launched, according to officials with the German company. Deliveries will commence at the […]
Carb ice catches Cub
These October 2009 accident reports are provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Piper Cub. Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor. Location: Rosemount, Minn. Aircraft damage: Substantial. What reportedly happened: The observed temperature was 52° F and the […]
Pilot puts his own money on the line for solo flight scholarship
Well-known aviation writer and retired airline captain Barry Schiff hadn’t imagined the buzz he would create when he offered $3,000 of his own money to underwrite the start of flight training for some aspiring young pilot. He made this offer in his monthly column in this past October’s issue of AOPA Pilot magazine and invited […]
Coalition debunks claims by LightSquared on GPS issue
Continuing efforts by LightSquared to push for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for the spectrum to use in developing a nationwide broadband telecommunication network are resulting in repeated misstatements and rewriting of history, according to the Coalition to Save Our GPS. Interference of the spectrum LightSquared wants to use, unless resolved, would affect the accuracy […]
Can fuel suppliers refuse autogas sales for aviation?
In the past three years, the authors of the GAFuels blog have assisted countless pilots, flight schools, flying clubs, FBOs, airport managers and others in the search for suppliers of ethanol-free autogas. If existing suppliers of the other FAA-approved aviation fuels (avgas and Jet-A) would offer autogas, our help would not be necessary. (Why they […]
Alphabet groups join to address airspace issues
Government advocacy teams from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association are working together to help preserve GA access to the national airspace system (NAS) in Salt Lake City, Utah; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles. Both organizations, as well as other GA groups, have adopted the “Stronger Together” mantra as […]
Enthusiasts gather at Flight Design Fly-In
A flock of Flight Design CT series Light-Sport Aircraft flew in from all over the southwestern U.S. to attend the Fifth Annual National CT Fly-in in Page, Ariz., Oct. 14-16. “Approximately 35 CTs attended the Fly-In,” observed John Doman, Director of Business Development and Global Sales & Marketing for Flight Design GmbH. Along with about […]