In one of my recent columns I stated that if an engine runs knock free on an 87 octane fuel, using a higher octane fuel will not benefit you in any way. I received several inquiries about whether this was for automobiles or airplanes. Basically it applies to both. In your automobile, if the owner’s […]
Avgas production lower than reported
While searching for recent usage stats for auto gas and ethanol production I stumbled across this table in the EIA data. I had never seen this table before when analyzing avgas stats. What an eye opener! The first thing that struck me as odd is that there is no avgas produced in PADD 1, which […]
Proposal to fix flaw in Sport Pilot rule
The FAA has posted to the federal docket a petition that seeks to fix a flaw in the original Sport Pilot Rule. The petition, signed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), seeks to fix […]
Race pilot performs aerobatic routine on alternative avgas
Matthias Dolderer, a Red Bull Air Race pilot and co-organizer of the Tannkosh airshow presented an aerobatics display Aug. 24 with his engine running on the new SwiftFuel 100SF — a first in aviation history, according to Swift officials, who note this was also the European debut of a single engine aircraft running on biofuel. […]
Hurricane Irene relief missions begin
Bahamas Habitat’s first response pilots are now delivering aid to the parts of Bahamas affected by Hurricane Irene. The organization had its first planes arriving on Friday, Aug. 26, shortly after the storm passed to the north, according to officials. The group has set up a main depot and coordination post at Fort Lauderdale Executive […]
Cutting the ribbon — airport style
Addison Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the Dallas area, has completed a runway reconstruction project, as well as upgraded and improved approach and airport lighting, drainage and grading along the airport’s 7,200 foot runway. The runway received a new layer of asphalt and portions of the runway were reconstructed down to […]
IMC Club adopts code of condut
The board of directors of the IMC Club International, Inc. recently adopted a resolution to embrace and promote the Model Code of Conduct for flight instructors. “We believe it is a framework from which good aeronautical decision making can evolve over the life of an instructor’s career,” said board members in their resolution. The Aviators […]
Burning Man Airport opens
There’s a new airport opening in Nevada today, but it will be gone without a trace in 10 days. According to a report at AVweb, the airport was created as part of the Burning Man Festival in the Blackrock Desert. Check out the report, along with photos, here.
K-State Aviation lands highest level of accreditation
Kansas State University Salina’s professional pilot program’s accreditation from the Aviation Accreditation Board International was recently renewed. The accreditation is good for another five years. “The accreditation means we are among a relatively few collegiate aviation programs in the world that have been evaluated according to very stringent criteria and found to be worthy of […]