WASHINGTON, D.C. — The long-term outlook for general aviation is favorable, even though the slow growth of the U.S. economy has affected near-term growth, according to the FAA, which released its forecasts for the years 2014 to 2034 today. According to the forecast, the growth in numbers of aircraft and hours flown will be primarily […]
Opinion
Déjà vu in president’s latest budget proposal
WASHINGTON. D.C. — Anti-general aviation measures in President Obama’s proposed budget for 2015 will keep GA’s alphabet groups busy working Congress to once again defeat the same issue they have fought in past years. The main proposals affecting aviation are: A $100 fee for some GA flights; a reduction in time for business to take […]
The next wave in LSA
Even as we come to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft rule in 2014, many general aviation pilots have only recently become fully aware of this large and growing fleet of more than 134 designs. Let me repeat: That is 134 new aircraft models in less than 10 years, a pace of […]
Aviation saves the day… again
A young high school athlete needs to be in two places at roughly the same time. On one end, in Toledo, Wash., to lay her 58-year-old father to rest following his year-long battle with melanoma. One the other end, in Yakima, Wash. (about 140 miles away) to play in the Washington State 2A Girls Basketball Championship game. How will she do it?
Bill to eliminate medicals for more pilots introduced in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three members of the U.S. Senate introduced a bill Tuesday, March 11, which mirrors one introduced in the House of Representatives last December, which would eliminate the medical requirement for non-commercial pilots flying day VFR below 14,000 feet in aircraft weighing less than 6,000 pounds and carrying no more than six people. […]
General aviation in the marketplace
Last week the news broke that Fantasy of Flight, the aviation-themed attraction in the heart of central Florida, was closing. That was the message most people got, even if it is slightly skewed from the announcement the company intended. Those who read the full story (included the one by Drew Steketee right here in General […]
Expectations and fixation
My first flight lesson was out of Virginia’s Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO), inside the Dulles Class B airspace. We took off and performed some air work in the practice area. Then we headed back toward the airport. My instructor told me to find the airport so he could show me how to do a pattern […]
Fantasy of Flight to close as tourist attraction
Kermit Weeks announced March 4 that Fantasy of Flight, his central Florida aviation-theme tourist attraction, will close to the public after April 6, the last day of this year’s SUN ‘n FUN airshow/fly-in just 20 miles down I-4. The site will continue to function as an aircraft restoration center and will welcome group functions such […]
Maybe we aren’t as old as we think
If I told you 25-29 year olds with a third class medical were the largest segment of aviators, would you believe me? Thankfully, you don’t have to take my word for it. Download the 2012 Aerospace Medical Certification Statistical Handbook for a little light reading.