Many pilots want to know what oil to use and where to get it. To answer these questions accurately, I sent a questionnaire to the four main oil companies that supply lubricants to the general aviation industry. I received nice replies from Shell and Phillips, a note from BP that said the company was changing […]
Visser's Voice
Six tips to cut your flying expenses
Frugal flying may be some sort of oxymoron, but there are a number of things pilots can do to minimize expenses. The first and foremost is to maintain your engine and keep it on spec. A fouled spark plug or retarded mag timing can increase your fuel consumption significantly. Second is speed. I know we […]
MythBusters: Does lead have any effect on valve life?
So remember, it takes only two things to be an expert: gray hair and hemorrhoids. The gray hair makes you look distinguished. The hemorrhoids make you look concerned.
Liability raises its ugly head once again
I recently received a number of notes from people who asked the same two questions: Could aircraft engine manufacturers build engines that operate safely on autogas and autogas containing ethanol and, if so, why don’t they? I recently received a number of notes from people who asked the same two questions: Could aircraft engine manufacturers […]
A new fuel takes flight
On Dec. 17, 2007, the United States Air Force flew a C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base in Washington to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on a 50/50 blend of synthetic fuel and JP-8, a traditional hydrocarbon jet fuel. On Dec. 17, 2007, the United States Air Force flew a C-17 […]
Herb Poitz : You may not know his name, but he changed the way we fly
I have been asked many times at air shows if I was the original developer of Aeroshell W oils. I have been asked many times at air shows if I was the original developer of Aeroshell W oils. I appreciate the honor, however I usually try to tell some version of the truth. Since I […]
Own a certified airplane? Just say no to ethanol
In my Nov. 23 column, “”What effect does ethanol have on airplanes?””, I tried to answer the question of what to do if you end up accidentally getting some auto gas that contains ethanol in your airplane. I had intended this to be information for people who tried to use non-ethanol containing auto gas, but […]
Oregon legislature compromises GA safety with new ethanol law
I believe it was Mark Twain who once said that nothing is safe when the legislature is in session. I believe it was Mark Twain who once said that nothing is safe when the legislature is in session. Well, the state of Oregon just passed House Bill 2210, which requires that once ethanol production in […]
What effect does ethanol have on airplanes?
“”What is the effect of having mixed 10% ethanol with avgas and/or ethanol-free mogas on two or three occasions?”” asks reader Ken Rice. “”The place where I bought ethanol-free mogas lied to us about the change to 10% ethanol. I only found out about it when I asked the tanker driver.”” “”What is the effect […]