The Red Bull Air Races are not only a showcase for the world’s leading pilots and top machines, but also require careful planning with an emphasis on safety. For example, every fly by of the pylons has strict limits for speed and overload. Monitoring these limits are instruments produced by a Czech company, TL elektronic. […]
Low-level stall kills two
This May 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: RV-6A. Injuries: 2 Fatal. Location: Plainwell, Mich. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The left-seat pilot, 76, who had logged 868 hours, had a […]
Bee plane creates a buzz
If Sun ‘n Fun gave an award for the most whimsical aircraft, Ed Grossheim of Camden, S.C., would likely take the prize with his airplane, a Cessna 120 painted to look like a honey bee. The high-wing taildragger sports a brown and gold striped empennage with a whimsical cartoon bee painted on the side. Wherever […]
GA Avgas Coalition reacts to threat against avgas in California
Members of the GA Avgas Coalition are reacting to a notice by the Oakland, Calif.-based Center for Environmental Health (CEH) that it intends to sue 50 fuel retailers and suppliers for violating California’s drinking water and toxic enforcement law, based on the suppliers’ distribution of aviation gasoline, which contains a lead additive. The aviation members […]
Environmental group initiates legal action against avgas producers
The GAfuels Blog is written by two private pilots concerned about the future availability of fuels for piston-engine aircraft: Dean Billing, Sisters, Ore., an expert on autogas and ethanol, and Kent Misegades, Cary, N.C., an aerospace engineer, aviation sales rep for U-Fuel, and president of EAA1114. In the latest action of an environmental group to […]
Another delay for FAA reauthorization?
The long-awaited reauthorization of the FAA may have to wait even longer, according to a Dow Jones news report, that notes Congress may push back consideration of the bill as negotiators haggle over funding levels and other contentious provisions. The report quotes House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica, who said he remains hopeful the bill […]
Bin Laden’s death heightens security; renews focus on new pilot licenses
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The potential threat of retaliation for the execution of Osama Bin Laden is bringing heightened security efforts throughout the United States — and this includes aviation. This focus on security brought the subject of pilot licenses to the forefront at a May 10 Senate hearing, with elected officials especially worried about the […]
GA key to a successful America
Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) recently told Wichita Aero Club members they are the key to a successful America. Speaking at the May Aero Club luncheon, Pompeo was talking with an industry group he once was a part of as a former business owner. Prior to his role in the U.S. House of Representatives, Pompeo founded […]
BVS runway project begins
The Port of Skagit Board of Commissioners recently took a tour of the construction work at Skagit Regional Airport (BVS) in Burlington, Wash., where the Runway 10-28 Overlay and Underdrain Improvements project have begun. The port has awarded a contract for $2,533,826.30 to Interwest Construction Inc., Burlington, for the project, which is the first phase […]