In moves that are largely symbolic, Florida and Maine recently passed laws aimed at providing more ethanol-free options at the pump. As described in the marine publication Trade Only, “It’s one more mandate off the books,” state Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, who has been trying to achieve the repeal since he took office […]
Aviation Fuel
Chevron abandoning avgas?
Last week your bloggers received news that Chevron appears to be departing the avgas distribution business. We called Hank Maierhoffer, manager of the Plantation Airpark in Sylvania, Ga., (JYL) who confirmed that his avgas supplier, Chevron, is ending sales of avgas and has covered up his Chevron sign. They are handing their business over to […]
Waco Flying Services launches fuel price matching program
Waco Flying Service President Clark Brooks has announced that, to help pilots contain costs, the FBO will begin matching all competitors’ prices, effective immediately. “Pilots who present a receipt or written offer from another FBO for full-service avgas or Jet-A, dated within 30 days, will have that price honored by Waco Flying Service when purchasing […]
Cessna’s JT-A takes first production flight
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 […]
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 […]