Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: What is your professional opinion about flying a Mooney 20J with a Lycoming IO-360 engine lean of peak if the temperatures are within guideline perimeters?”
Aircraft
FAA video series increases safety for general aviation pilots
“Pilots and flight instructors are tapping into this resource to fly safely and educate trainees, evidenced by the 1 million-plus views to the series on YouTube,” officials noted.
South Carolina aviation advocates meet with legislators
The South Carolina Aviation Association has identified sustainable airport funding as one of its top priorities for 2025, emphasizing that the state’s airports contribute $22.5 billion to South Carolina’s economy.
Pilot with get-there-itis crashes his newly purchased airplane
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane in which he had no experience in strong, gusting wind, which resulted his failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Picture of the Day: Solitude at sunset
Jerry “Widget” Morris submitted this photo and note: “I was returning to St. Simons Island Airport (KSSI) in Georgia in my RV-8 at sunset and was taking photos. I noticed that with the low light my iPhone settings were not freezing the prop. Tried this shot straight forward and it was almost as good as the actual view. I still am amazed at what general aviation allows us to do and see — 56 years actively flying and still appreciate every flight.”
Maybe just stay home
Maybe some people should just stay home. And maybe those of us who love to fly should let them. No shame. No animosity. Aviation isn’t for everyone. That sounds like blasphemy, I know. But it’s true — very much so.
Efforts to stop 100LL sales in California thwarted
A judge has issued a tentative ruling denying efforts by the Center for Environmental Health to enforce a decade-old deal with California FBOs to stop selling 100LL when an “commercially available” unleaded avgas was on the market.
New aviation education center at KYNG secures final funding
The Western Reserve Port Authority has secured the final funding to launch an aviation education center at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (KYNG).
Modern Aviation takes over FBO at KCLT
Following a competitive Request for Proposal issued by the city of Charlotte, Modern Aviation was selected as the winning bidder of a 20-year management services contract in January 2025. It replaces Wilson Air Center, which has been at Charlotte Douglas for the past 20 years.