General aviation is something of a massive storage locker that houses a plethora of game plans designed to save the industry. It seems as if virtually everyone has one they’ve been working on, refining, honing to perfection. And the story of each plan is the same. It’s better. It will achieve more impressive results. Honest, […]
Opinion
Ask Paul: What’s the TBO on my engine?
There isn’t much else I can say about the O-320-A2B except for the fact that it’s probably one of the best engines Lycoming ever produced and has been around forever.
The best of times, the worst of times…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness.” So said Charles Dickens in “The Tale of Two Cities.” Little did he know he was writing about general aviation in 2013 — and possibly the year 2014. […]
AOPA gets back to basics
With the new year came a big new announcement from our friends in Frederick, Maryland. Six new fly-in events will grace the calendar starting in 2014, spreading from the east coast to the west coast, with important bases of operation in the middle of the country, too. Yes, this is big news. It signifies and […]
What’s ahead for LSA in 2014?
True for most of aviation, the Light-Sport Aircraft sector may not recall 2013 as a banner year. However, it was a year of movement in the right direction with a few enterprises doing well. It was also a year when the locus of activity continued a steady pace progressing from European manufacturers to U.S.-based producers. […]
Waiting for FAA action
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s a quip here that asks: Why don’t government workers look out of the windows in the morning? The answer is: If they did that they wouldn’t have anything to do in the afternoon. Things are not that bad in all offices, but two examples at the FAA lend credence to that […]
Aviation tax reform…indeed
Jeff Smisek is the CEO of United Airlines. His CEO Letter in the November issue of Hemispheres Magazine was titled, “Aviation Tax Reform,” which caught my eye. “The taxation system across transportation modes is broken, and airlines and our customers are paying the price for this irrational structure,” laments Mr. Smisek. The government imposes “17 […]
One size does not fit all
Imagine walking into a restaurant, sitting down, grabbing a menu, and finding only a single item listed there. One entree, that’s it. And let’s limit it to only one size of that entree. You don’t get to choose between the 6 ounce steak, the 9 ounce, or the 12 ounce. It’s the 12-ounce version or […]
FAA names six sites for UAS research
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has selected the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. The sites will conduct tests and research into operational requirements for integrating UAS, more commonly called drones, into the national airspace. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the first site is […]