As an active pilot and patent attorney, I enjoyed reading “Texas pilot patents flying motorcycle,” in the Feb. 3, 2006, issue. The article explains that Larry Neal of The Butterfly LLC in Texas recently acquired a new patent to his “flying motorcycle.” After reading the article, I located Mr. Neal’s new patent on the Patent Office website: it’s […]
Another Chicago airport will be a white elephant
I want to take issue with Charles Spence’s comments about the (perhaps) third Chicago Airport (Capital Comments, Jan. 6 issue). Jesse Jackson Jr.’s “Suburban Coalition” consists of ZERO communities in Will County, where the airport is planned. It does include some towns around O’Hare, who will do anything to keep O’Hare from expanding. The fact […]
A loving memory from a long-time reader
I am renewing a three-year subscription to General Aviation News. Here is a little bit of history I wanted to share with you. In 1959 my wife sent in a subscription to the old Northwest Flyer for my birthday. She used my first name and middle initial, which is Robert P. I have always gone […]
A cub made in China?
I have been reading a lot about the Cubcrafters’ complaint (Cub vs. Cub, Dec. 2, 2005 issue). I have read in history books that the Wright brothers were very concerned that someone would copy them and they filed for patents and tried other avenues to stifle competition. This competition is what makes better products and […]
Outstanding service should be recognized
I enjoyed Mark Grady’s column on FBO service (Bad business: Are some airports hurting GA? Jan. 20 issue). It’s nice to see that sometimes “what goes around, comes around.” However, the other side is that service above and beyond should also be recognized. I’d really like to put in a recommendation for the Redding Jet […]
Oil demand a killer for air shows?
The day is soon coming to the aviation community that air shows will need to be drastically limited. The allocation of an increasingly precious commodity can no longer be used for entertainment. Global oil production is nearing its peak. Oil is a finite resource and cannot be economically pumped from the ground forever. The transition […]
Sharing a plane not a new idea
Great article about sharing aircraft (Share a plane, without all the hassle, Feb. 3 issue), but the idea is not at all new! We have been doing this for over 53 years here at East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca, N.Y. Started by Mohawk Airline employees with a PA-11, we now have six aircraft and […]
Industry’s excitment about record sales tempered by spectre of user fees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the annual industry review meeting of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), companies reported a record year for dollar volume in 2005, a 20% growth in the number of piston airplanes delivered, a positive outlook for the future, and a determination to not allow user fees, proposed by the administration and […]
What’s the best engine for a kit-built helicopter?
QUESTION: I just purchased a Safari kit-built helicopter. The factory has configured the kit for the O-360. The engine is mounted vertically using a conversion kit supplied by the manufacturer. My question concerns which version of the O-360, in your opinion, would be best suited for this application. Would you recommend turbo charging or electronic […]