WICHITA, Kan. — The first production flight of Cessna’s Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A took place May 21 at the company’s facility in Independence, Kan. The aircraft is powered by a piston engine specifically designed to run on Jet-A fuel. “The Turbo Skylane JT-A performed just as expected,” said Cessna senior test pilot Dale Bleakney. “The […]
Aviation Fuel
Ethanol repeal efforts make progress
Further evidence that consumers demand an ethanol-free alternative has been provided in recent weeks by actions at both state and federal levels. As reported by this blog on Feb. 20, Florida State Representative Matt Gaetz has led an effort to repeal his state’s mandates on the use of ethanol blends in vehicles. While off-highway use, […]
‘Game-changing’ GA tax bill inked in Indiana
Pilots fueling up general aviation aircraft in Indiana can expect to see savings of $100, $250, or more each time they taxi to the pumps now that lawmakers have passed a package of aviation tax exemptions and restructurings. According to a report at AOPA.org, the joy also will extend to lower sales-tax line items on […]
A Q&A with Lycoming’s top man
After Oshkosh, I sent an email to Michael Kraft, Lycoming’s senior vice president and general manager. Due to this busy travel schedule, he was just able to get his answers to me. To honor his request, I agreed to run this in a Q&A format. Q: Is Lycoming working on or considering development of a […]
FARM to Fly 2.0
WASHINGTON, DC — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation, and coalition sponsors of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) in signing a resolution launching “FARM to FLY 2.0,” an initiative to further the development of bio-jet fuel for aviation in the United States. […]
Lawsuit on GA emissions dismissed
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia court has dismissed a lawsuit by environmentalist group Friends of the Earth pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to decide whether lead emissions from general aviation aircraft endanger public health and welfare. The court said the issue is not one that it can take up under a […]
More good shale oil news
Despite the recent rise in prices for aviation fuel and what we consumers pay at the gas station, news contained in this recent RIGZONE article paints a sunny picture for increased U.S. reserves and ultimately lower prices. When we might see lower fuel prices at our airports is anyone’s guess, however the clear trend towards […]
We’ve hit the wall
Exactly as your bloggers have predicted the past several years, according to industry experts, we’ve finally hit the ethanol blending wall — even if every drop of gasoline produced in the U.S. contained 10% ethanol, the federally-mandated blending quotas cannot be met. As the energy industry’s leading news service Platts reported this past week: “The […]
Free app for jet fuel shopping released
Fuel Bidder has launched its jet fuel marketplace application. Fuelbidder.com, free for aircraft owners, harnesses the power of open competition to deliver the lowest possible jet fuel price at virtually any airport in the world. “Fuelbidder.com is ideal for air charter or executive jet flight departments wishing to save time and money when shopping for […]