Aviation Short Takes

Aviation Short Takes is designed as a comment area. The opinions about important aviation matters developing today can be read here.

The articles will find a home here temporarily; and depending upon the long-term relevance, the commentary may subsequently be republished on our INFO WAREHOUSE pages.  Do you have relevant comments concerning Airspace Design and/or Aviation Safety that you feel others can benefit from?  For instance, do you have a recommendation for us to link to?  Please let me know!  Use scauwg@earthlink.net and address your input to Ron Berinstein, webmaster. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Opinions and views expressed in the following commentary are those of the authors &/or publishers alone; and may or may not reflect SCAUWG.ORG or SCAUWG.

This page (Page 3) was added on 05/14/2024.  To view prior commentary please see "Short Takes" and "Short Takes Page 2."

Let's Begin:

04/09/2025   The Gadget: Let’s Stop the ‘Beeping’ Noise - "Gear warning systems in many airplanes are imperfect for several reasons.- A few years ago, I forgot to lower my landing gear and was saved by the vigilance of a pilot holding short. After that, I began thinking about gear warning systems. My homebuilt Melmoth had none since I imagined that I would never make that mistake (or, to be more exact, never again, because I had already made it once, decades ago, in a Fournier RF-4). - The warning systems in many airplanes, for instance the Comanche 250 in which I learned to fly, consist of microswitches on the throttle and gear. They trigger a warning horn whenever the gear is up and the throttle is pulled back to idle. This is an imperfect system for several reasons. You could make a short-field approach with power, for one thing. For another, any approach to a power-off stall is accompanied by nuisance warnings."  Learn what technical achievement solved the problem Here.

04/09/2025    Lawmakers Push For Airport TFR Relief - "Lawmakers are urging the FAA to compensate airports for revenue losses caused by Temporary Flight Restrictions during President Trump’s visits. - Lawmakers from New Jersey and Florida are pushing for financial relief for airports facing revenue losses due to Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) imposed during President Donald Trump’s visits. - In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., N.J.-7, and Representative Lois Frankel, Fla.-22, urged the agency to allocate existing congressional funds to compensate affected airports.

04/06/2025    How To Navigate Los Angeles International Airport Like A Pro (As an Airline Passenger) - "Navigating Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can be a daunting experience, especially given its vast size and bustling atmosphere. However, with the right information and strategies, you can traverse this major hub with confidence and efficiency. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the processes of check-in, making connections, arrivals, and highlight the best spots to spend your time while waiting to board, including top food and beverage options."  Read about it Here.

04/05/2025   Chandler Swope: Privatizing air traffic control not the answer (Opinion) - "The recent tragic aircraft accident near Washington, D.C., has rightfully focused attention on air traffic control (ATC) staffing and technology issues, and there is certainly room for constructive, common-sense reform. But unfortunately, some have called for privatizing the ATC system, which would be unnecessarily disruptive to aviation, and especially harmful to rural communities. - For decades, I’ve worked all over West Virginia—both as a business owner and a public servant. In my construction days, I often relied on small aircraft to reach job sites in remote areas. That firsthand experience showed me how critical general aviation and local airports are not just for creating jobs or attracting investment but also critical services like responding to emergencies or transporting donated organs. - Here in the Mountain State, general aviation contributes over $1 billion to our economy each year. One shining example is Bombardier’s regional jet service center in Bridgeport—now owned by Mitsubishi—which has expanded significantly and continues to support hundreds of local jobs. Additionally, small airports keep our communities connected when disasters strike and every minute counts. - Addressing ATC staffing is essential, but..."  Continue Here.

04/05/2025   Tariffs Upend Aerospace Free Trade - "Aerospace companies are asking the Trump administration to spare them to avoid huge cost increases.- Tariffs will add millions of dollars to the cost of an airliner and destroy a free trade system that has created a massive export surplus for the U.S. industry, according to aerospace officials canvassed by MSNBC on Thursday. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg just happened to be testifying at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday and diverted from the topic at hand (Boeing's progress on improving quality control) to comment on the tariffs that will affect raw materials and parts it uses in its aircraft. “Free trade is very important to us,” Boeing Ortberg said at the Senate hearing. “We really are the ideal kind of an export company where we’re outselling internationally. It’s creating U.S. jobs, long-term high value U.S. jobs. So it’s important that we continue to have access to that market and that we don’t get in a situation where certain markets become closed to us.” - "Aerospace companies are apparently lining up to ask..."   Read the full article Here.

03/24/2025   Montana Bill Limits Use Of ADS-B Data For Landing Fees -  "The bill aims to prevent the misuse of ADS-B data for purposes beyond air traffic safety."

Webmaster  Note:  "This article is of importance because we in the LA Basin and are experiencing a landing fee threat in part facilitated by ADS-B monitoring.  This is occurring at Torrance, Santa Monica, and is being proposed at Van Nuys. The company contracted to orchestrate this circumstance is Vector Aircraft Systems."

"The Montana House of Representatives passed a bill limiting the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to assess landing fees on certain aircraft. - The legislation, introduced by Rep. Shane Klakken (R-Grass Range), would block the use of ADS-B data for charging landing fees on aircraft weighing under 9,000 pounds, according to a March 20 press release from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

03/20/2025   NATA on MODERNIZATION OF FLIGHT SCHOOLS - "On behalf of the University Aviation Association (UAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), hereinafter “the Associations,” we submit recommendations for modernizing 14 CFR Part 141 flight training regulations to enhance training efficiency, safety, and industry alignment".  -  "The Associations’ recommendations align with industry best practices and industry-supported efforts to enhance training and safety. UAA and NATA endorse comments submitted by the Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA), Save Our Skies Alliance, and Groton Ayer Buzz (Comment ID FAA-FAA 2024-2531-0004) and the City of Phoenix Aviation Department (Comment ID FAA-2024-2531-0003)."  Read the Entire Document sent to the FAA Here.

03/20/2025   Cape Cod Airport Faces Pushback From Neighbors - "Airport critics claim the facility is not meant for “big planes.” - "Airport neighbors in Chatham, Massachusetts, are filing a town meeting petition to restrict the Chatham Municipal Airport to only Design Group I models (less than 49-foot wingspan). Because the measure received the requisite number of signatures, there will be a vote on May 10. But the town's attorney along with the airport commission attorney warn that, even if passed, the measure would not survive state and federal agencies’ regulatory authority. The Cape Cod Chronicle reported that the current measure is essentially the same as one filed in 2022, which was voted down by citizens two to one."  Read More Here.

03/17/2025   Working to Alleviate Alaska’s Avgas Anxiety - "Unlike most of the U.S., where freight carriers primarily operate turbine-powered aircraft, the need to operate from many of Alaska’s shorter, unimproved runways requires the use of a variety of piston-engine aircraft, ranging from small Piper Super Cubs to large cargo DC-3s and -6s. - “Alaska is totally unique in business aviation due to its strong dependence on piston-engine aircraft,” explained Phil Derner, NBAA director, Western region. “A significant majority of the rural villages don’t have any access by road, so everything they need for daily life must be delivered by ‘air mail.’ Any disruption would have catastrophic effects.” Learn about EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions) presentation and the Alaska Unleaded Avgas Transition Forum, and continue reading Here

03/16/2025   President Donald Trump has said he intends to impose 25 percent tariffs on EU imports, which would include French-made Falcon business jets. - The tariffs could cut deeply into Dassault Falcon’s U.S. presence, most notably completions and service facilities in Little Rock, Arkansas. The complex, which has been a Dassault-owned business entity for 50 years, currently employs 1,700 workers spanning two separate sites. - It’s unclear if the tariffs would also impact employment at the Teterboro, New Jersey, headquarters of Dassault’s Falcon Jet business aviation division.

03/14/2025   Aerospace Groups Ask Trump Administration for Tariff Relief - From AVweb - "Aviation advocacy associations request a meeting with the administration on supply chain concerns. - The groups wrote: “The aviation supply chain involves tens of thousands of suppliers from all over the globe which provide parts, platforms, and systems that require safety approval for use and installation, all of which may not be easily replaced or substituted. Given this reality, it is essential that both government and industry work together to minimize cost and availability disruptions in the aviation supply chain, which in many cases cannot be easily or quickly addressed.  We believe such dialogue and analysis will benefit the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation manufacturing and maintenance sectors and will be critical as the industry continues to innovate and contribute positively to the U.S. balance of trade.”  -   Read the Letter HERE

03/13/2025   What Is the Best Way to Get Kids Interested in Aviation? - From FLYING - "Here are some sure-fire ways to inspire the love of flight in children before they’re ready for ground school." Read about Them Here.

03/10/2025   Duffy Says He Needs 18 Months To ‘Rebuild’ ATC - "Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wants money up front from Congress to fund overhaul of ATC. - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says it will take a maximum of 18 months to "rebuild the air traffic control system" if Congress will up-front the funding. But it sounds like the scope of the overhaul he was describing might be limited to modernization of communications systems. In a 10-minute interview aired by Fox on Saturday, Duffy cited copper wire, wired headsets and other technology "kind of out of 1980" that will be swapped out for fiber optics and modern gear in the ATC centers. He said wants the funding first, rather than spreading it out in a series of appropriations over the next eight to ten years. The FAA is testing satellite-based communications using Starlink terminals in Alaska and New Jersey but Duffy did not mention that program specifically."  More Here.

03/08/2025   Honeywell Survey Looks Good for eVTOL Market - "Up to 98% of frequent fliers would take an air taxi."- "According to a Honeywell survey, the overwhelming majority of U.S. frequent fliers would take an electric air taxi. The survey, reported in the Robb Report online news service, is seen as a significant boost to the electric vertical takeoff and land (eVTOL) industry. - The survey projects that..."   Continue Here.

03/05/2025   Become a Controller - "Most of you are pilots. Have you ever wondered how to cross over and become a controller? It’s a difficult road, but can be very rewarding. -  Some time ago, I wrote an article comparing differences between ATC and pilot training. Here, I will focus solely on what it takes to become an air traffic controller. In the U.S.A, there are about 14,000 Air Traffic Controllers, with 3000-plus expected to be added in the next few years. But let’s start by talking about the number of controllers over the years."  A very detailed Story about the opportunity, the training, and the process. Read it Here.

03/04/2025    Lutz fly-in pays tribute to Tuskegee airmen - "“You’re talking about a subset of folks who were — talent wise — were at the highest peak talent wise. They got held back for so long from going into the actual theatre, but instead of sitting on their hands they trained and trained and trained,” he said. - That training was realized in 1944 when they were the chosen airmen to guide World War II bombers to their targets. Fighting off the enemy when necessary. - “Bombers were slow and heavy and flew lower to the ground. They were easy targets. The Tuskegee Airmen were a part of a fighter squadron that escorted them to their targets. And nobody did it better than them,”  - Read the full testament Here.

03/03/2025   Featured Video: Light Sport In Your Future? - "The latest Light Sport airplanes are a worthy next step for pilots being forced out of the complex platforms they’ve been flying. -  See it Here.

03/03/2025   GAMA - For Immediate Release:  GAMA Voices Significant Concerns Over Court Motion Attempting to Prematurely Force Leaded Avgas Out of California Market

WASHNGTON, D.C. – A California state court is preparing to decide on a motion, scheduled for March 5th, brought forth by the California Center for Environmental Health (CEH) to arbitrarily force several California fixed base operators (FBOs) and general aviation fuel distributors to prematurely transition to solely offering a new unleaded avgas. While the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is actively working to support a safe transition to an unleaded future for piston-engine aircraft through support and participation of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, the CEH motion is premature and counterproductive, which could cause undue harm to the general aviation community.  

“There is a concerted effort currently underway to ensure that there is a safe and efficient transition to an unleaded future for piston-engine aircraft. We have seen some key milestones reached to progress efforts, but there is still significant work needed before a full-scale transition can take place. The CEH motion is based on a brand new high-octane unleaded fuel, which is currently available at just two California airports. Although the FAA issued an STC allowing for its use in airplanes, this is the only aviation fuel that has not been subject to a stakeholder consensus peer review process and does not have the endorsement for use by piston-engine and aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or other stakeholders such as distributors and FBOs due to lack of transparency and understanding of the new fuel’s composition and performance properties. Additionally, this fuel cannot be used in piston helicopters. There are also questions and a need for additional information about materials compatibility and safety in both aircraft and fuel distribution infrastructure. The general aviation industry is committed to supporting a viable unleaded avgas solution, but a forced and premature transition will not be in the interest of the aviation community or public in the long run,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO.

There have been notices to the public, from Cirrus Aircraft, Lycoming, Piper Aircraft and Textron Aviation, that there are questions and potential concerns about the specified unleaded avgas product CEH is attempting to prematurely force on the piston aircraft community. In addition to these warnings, aircraft manufacturers Aviat Aircraft, Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, Enstrom Helicopter Corp., Piper Aircraft Inc., Schweizer RSG and Robinson Helicopters each submitted information to the Court that stated the new unleaded avgas variant was not approved or supported by manufacturers for use in their models, given their companies lacked the information necessary to verify its safety and material compatibility. Additionally, several aviation trade organizations, including GAMA, submitted declarations to ensure the Court was aware of the general aviation piston industry’s relevant perspectives. 

According to court documents, several individual aircraft owners in California have filed declarations related to adverse issues potentially encountered by using G100UL. Additionally, according to court documents, a California-based FAA Flight Standards District Office has initiated an investigation into some of these possible material incompatibility issues identified in several piston airplanes. In the interest of aviation safety, GAMA calls for transparency and openness in a manner consistent with established industry practices for all transportation fuels - a broad stakeholder peer review assessment of new fuel property and performance data through the ASTM consensus standards process or similar – to include collaboration among fuel producers, chemical manufacturers, testing laboratories, fuel distributors and piston-engine aircraft and component manufacturers, etc.  

GAMA further calls on the FAA to issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin or other notice, as deemed appropriate, to properly inform the general aviation community of potential issues and possible airworthiness impacts while the alleged FAA investigations continue and/or mitigation efforts, as determined necessary by the FAA, are developed. 

The public statements and court submitted documents can be found HERE.   - www.GAMA.aero

02/15/2025   Subject: PEDs Can Cause Deadly Distractions (The Rotorcraft Collective) - Not surprising these types of accidents are happening. We have two generations of youth that spend the majority of their time with tunnel vision, intensely focused upon and staring at little multicolored screens most of their day. Totally oblivious to anything around them, lacking any situational awareness of everything outside their field of view. This learned behavior is brought into the automobile behind the steering wheel and into the cockpit.

02/11/2025    Swift Fuels Letter to Swift Ambassadors -

We are pleased to report that our UL94 unleaded avgas sales continue to grow as we expand into new US markets. We now serve 22 FBOs in California and we are now onboarding new locations on an international basis. We have also experienced success in early “restricted” deployments of 100R now in six airfields in US and EU.  Our FAA-certification work and our ASTM International fuel standard work are all progressing steadily.  We will have meaningful news to share by Oshkosh ’25 on all these matters. There are also notable developments pertaining to the unleaded avgas situation in California. The consent judgement involving Center for Environmental Health involving certain FBOs and Distributors has been delayed. Our competitor -- offering G100UL at Reid Hillview and Watsonville airfields – now has more than 10 aircraft with reported issues or reported damage.

Notably, two Cessna 421’s recently reported issues and a Cirrus SR22T has documented damage from using the G100UL fuel. Some of these matters involve preliminary FAA (FSDO) inspections and/or OEM site investigations now centered at Reid Hillview. Swift Fuels continues to sell UL94 to 4 FBOs at Reid Hillview (used by > 100 flight school aircraft) and all our customers have refused to use G100UL to avoid such damage.

 

To update you on the status of these critical events – we will have a nationwide TEAM’s meeting online on Monday February 24^th at 4pm EST. 

This Teams email invitation will follow shortly after this email..

Finally, if you have not read this before – we encourage you to read our Swift Fuels Avgas FAQ’s related to G100UL:

Does Swift Fuels allow G100UL to be mixed with Swift Fuels UL94 or 100R in an approved piston aircraft? 

No. G100UL must not be used at this time in aircraft approved for a Swift Fuels STC, and furthermore G100UL must not be intermixed with any Swift Fuels’ avgas product in any aircraft. This is because G100UL contains an aromatic amine “meta-toluidine” – an aggressive solvent that smells like turpentine – that testing shows is particularly prone to damaging paint/coatings, sealants, bladders, diaphragms, and various elastomeric parts in aircraft fuels systems. Swift Fuels does not authorize the use of G100UL in any Swift Fuels STC-certified aircraft, and therefore Swift Fuels will not indemnify any contractual claim, physical harm, tort, property damage or any other liability arising from the use of G100UL. Swift Fuels has actively reported the dangers of aromatics amines privately tested in avgas to FAA, ASTM International, CRC, National Academy of Science, API, and others for the past 6 years. Swift Fuels has also notified airports and pilots in online safety forums of the dangers of aromatic amines. Pilots who elect to intermix G100UL considering these warnings are operating at their own risk.

Please be advised that Cirrus Aircraft has issued a Service Advisory warning to pilots - SA24-14R1 - describing serious material compatibility concerns involving fuel tank sealants. See the Service Advisory here. Accordingly, Cirrus does not approve the use of G100UL fuel in any Cirrus SR Series airplanes at this time. Also be advised that G100UL may not be approved for use by other aircraft manufacturers and therefore its use may not be covered by OEM engine or airframe warranties. Consult your OEM.

Recent Incidents Involving The Use of G100UL Have Been Reported In The Marketplace:

·         Cirrus SR22T Report of Damage at Reid Hillview Jan ’25 - LINK HERE

·         Pilot/Mechanic at Reid Hillview Update Feb ’25 - LINK HERE

·         Pilot/Mechanic at Reid Hillview Update Jan ’25 - LINK HERE

·         Pilot/Mechanic at Reid Hillview Dec ’24 - LINK HERE

·         Barron at Oshkosh Sept ’24 - LINK HERE

Pilot reports of fuel leaks, paint staining, and paint stripping are early warning signs of the dangers caused by the aggressive solvent: meta-toluidine found in G100UL. Consider that over 50% of the US piston fleet uses epoxy as a protective coating on aluminum fuel tanks. In some cases, sealants are then adhered to these epoxy surfaces. Over time, the epoxy can strip away, and the sealants can be disturbed, debonded or cracked as meta-toluidine reacts with their chemistry. Such damage can ultimately impact fuel flow in the fuel tank. These early incidents are the “canaries in the coal mine”... i.e., any early warning to the industry of what could happen on a larger scale. Swift Fuels believes these early incidents all point to what could become catastrophic flight safety risks.

Finally, be advised, G100UL has failed to earn an ASTM International fuel specification - a voluntary industry consensus specification required by EPA regulated fuels - that is called for by the aviation marketplace for all aviation fuels including Avgas, Autogas, Jet Fuel and SAF. The process to earn such an ASTM specification includes a rigorous set of ASTM tests and vetting procedures designed to uncover the challenging defects of any new fuel product before entering the marketplace. According to their website, G100UL is not actively participating in the ASTM International process. On August 22, 2023, the Washington Post quoted George Braly the co-founder of General Aviation Modifications as saying, “it could take years for his company to secure such an approval”.

Ambassadors -- We appreciate your continued collaboration and support of our Swift Fuels Unleaded Fuels Program!

All the best,

Josh

Aviation Business Development – Swift Fuels, LLC

1435 Win Hentschel Blvd, Suite 205

West Lafayette, Indiana  47906

https://www.swiftfuelsavgas.com/

02/07/2025   Here’s how to fix America’s air traffic control system - Commentary - "This guest essay reflects the views of Robert W. Mann, Jr., a former airline executive officer and current consultant to the aviation industry. - Since the election, and again after the tragic airplane-helicopter accident in Washington last week, calls have been renewed to privatize the air traffic control (ATC) system, a bad idea whenever it is brought up. It has long been presented as a magic elixir to every problem in aviation. - Improving congestion and flight delays requires embracing trajectory-based operations — essentially real-time adjustments to speed up approaching aircraft when needed and spread out arriving flights, ensuring on-time arrival or better. Those two people approaching the same doorway, through eye contact and a head nod, one speeding up a step and the other continuing apace, can each walk through the door without issue."  Read the full opinion Here.

02/04/2025   America desperately needs more air traffic controllers. So why is it so tough to hire them? - From CNN -  "The US air traffic control system has been stretched nearly to its breaking point by a decades-long staffing shortage. It’s causing problems not just for the air traffic controllers that remain but the flying public at large. - And it won’t get better any time soon. - The Federal Aviation Administration, which runs the air traffic system, stepped up the pace of hiring in 2024 under President Joe Biden. But even though 2,000 qualified applicants were hired last year, they might only just barely replace the 1,100 who left the job either through retirement or due to the heavy toll the stressful job takes on those who enter the field." Full story Here.

02/04/2025   Army aviation was having a bad few years—even before Wednesday’s crash - From Defense One - "The service’s fiscal 2024 mishap rate was the highest since 2007. - The deadly Jan. 29 helicopter crash outside Washington, D.C., was the Army’s first serious aviation incident in months—but it came on the heels of a fiscal year that saw the service’s highest rate of serious crashes in over a decade. - Army aviation saw 17 class-A mishaps—that is, accidents that killed someone or caused more than $2.5 million in damage—during fiscal 2024, which ran from October 2023 through September. Thirteen of them have taken place since last January. -  It’s “a year that Army Aviation looks back on in hopes of never repeating,” the Army Combat Readiness Center said in a damning annual assessment released just days before the mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 64 people on a jetliner and three soldiers in a UH-60 Black Hawk.

The accident has elevated to a national tragedy the type of training accidents that rarely make many headlines, at a time when Army aviation is trying to rebuild its safety culture. - “Now, in this circumstance, this..."  Continue Here.

02/03/2025   Air traffic control union president Speaking on the Washington D.C. plane crash -  CBS News - VIDEO -   Click HERE.

01/31/2025   ‘The Airport Said Don't Do It. And They Did It.’ - From Politico - "It’s no secret in Washington — in the halls of Congress and various agencies that call the city home — that D.C.’s airspace is “incredibly congested.” - That’s what former House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio said after a U.S. Army helicopter collided with a PSA Airlines passenger plane on Wednesday, killing all 67 passengers and crew members on board the two aircraft. - For years, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority warned Congress that the region’s airports were at capacity, DeFazio said in an interview with POLITICO Magazine. But their pleas for restraint fell short among lawmakers, who voted to add more flights to an airport already struggling with its heavy load and a shortage of air traffic controllers caused by previous government shutdowns and pandemic-era hits to its workforce.- “Every senator in particular wants a nonstop flight to and from wherever they live,” said DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat. He noted that a reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration passed last year added even more flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. “The airport said, ‘Don't do it.’ And they did it. So they added to what DCA said is already an overly congested and over-capacity airport.” Read more from a former insider his version of what happened in D,C, Here..

01/31/2025   Obama's speech after plane crash sums up 'difference' between him and Trump - From Irish Star - "US President Donald Trump's response to the recent Washington DC plane crash has attracted criticism for being "cold", as he pinned the blame on those with disabilities as he lashed out at DEI policies. - Most recently, he was asked about whether he would visit the grounds upon which the tragic incident took place, to which he responded: "The water? I'm not going to go swimming." - "Back in 2009, Obama spoke about the Continental Airlines crash that resulted in the deaths of 49 people. He said: "Before I begin, I want to say a brief word about the terrible tragedy that took place outside of Buffalo last night. My thoughts and prayers are with the family's and friends who lost loved ones. As always, our thanks go out to the brave first responders who saved people lives and work to keep people safe." Continue reading Here.

01/29/2025   NBAA Responds to TSA’s Changes to Public Charter Security Protocols - From NBAA - "Washington, DC, Jan. 22, 2025 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today commented on changes the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) intends to implement to its Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) for public charter flights operating under 14 CFR Part 380 and FAR Part 135.  - “NBAA is carefully analyzing the TSA’s changes to public charter security,” said NBAA Senior Vice President, Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Operations Doug Carr. “Because of the classified nature of the TFSSP, we cannot comment on the details of our internal review, but we look forward to working with TSA to ensure the new program requirements are workable for the diverse operational profile of our sector, and that operators clearly understand the new mandates.” - The changes, released by the TSA earlier this month, have..."  The rest of the story Here.

01/29/2025   Where Pilots Legally Fear to Tread - From AOPA - "A close second on the fear factor scale to an engine out at night over a large body of water may be becoming the subject of an FAA investigation.  This fear is often due to a lack of understanding of the FAA investigative process or potential consequences. - Fortunately, there is a method to the madness, and having some insight into the FAA investigative and enforcement process may ease your mind and dispel some of your FAA nightmares.  And for reference, FAA Order No 2150.3C contains the agency’s official policies and procedures concerning the enforcement program, which is supplemented by Order 8900.1, the aviation safety inspector’s “handbook,” among others.When the FAA learns of a potential violation of any Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR), it will likely investigate. After its investigation, if the FAA substantiates a possible violation, it will generally proceed with one of the following “actions”: a compliance action, an administrative action, or an enforcement action. - Now let’s flesh out the FAA’s investigative and enforcement process. The idea behind enforcement is..."  Finish Reading Here.

01/28/2025   Guest Blog: Trump Presidency To Benefit Business Aviation - As a frequent user of private aviation, Trump will be supportive of bizav. -  Some in the private aircraft industry are running around with their hair on fire lamenting how Trump’s 25% tariff proposal will spell the end of the U.S. aerospace industry. We’ll let them keep doing that since they’re fun to watch, but there’s a glass-half-full story to share with everyone else. - For beginners, there’ll be less State of The Union “I will end private jet tax breaks” rhetoric as read off the teleprompter by the last commander in chief. Trump has been an active user of business aviation, both airplanes and helicopters, long before his political career. He and others in his circle already understand the benefits concerning time savings, improved productivity and security. - On the topic of taxes, shortly after this address the IRS began targeted IRS tax audits of business jet owners. Some saw it as going after low-hanging fruit since the cost of operation of an aircraft and the subsequent tax write-offs can be high. However, others saw it as... "  Continue Here.

01/28/2025  - Environmental Group Disputes FBOs’ Fuel Claims - From AVweb - "CEH alleges “alternative set of facts” the basis for defendants’ claims. - Lawyers for a California environmental group say a collection of FBOs and fuel distributors are trying to convince a court that they know better than the FAA what makes an acceptable aviation fuel. The Center for Environmental Health is trying to compel 17 California FBOs and the four fuel distributors that serve them to switch from 100LL to GAMI's G100UL to comply with a 10-year-old deal they signed to settle a lawsuit over the sale of leaded avgas. CEH says their opposition to making the switch amounts to upending the certification process for new fuels by creating an "an alternative set of facts where equipment manufacturers, not the FAA, approve aviation fuels and that the FAA’s cursory review and approval of G100UL has led to its approval of an unsafe and untested fuel." -  As we've reported at length, the FBOs and distributors were sued by CEH in 2011 over the health impacts of lead in fuel and they settled the suit by agreeing to..."  Webmaster: Possibly the most important So Cal legal fuel story that involves many fuel distributors - Read it Here

01/24/2025    AOPA's President's position on unleaded fuel - AOPA- See the account Here.01/15/2025   Today an email survey was launched addressed to local politicians who have been critical of the airport, and who have sided with organizations like Pacoima Beautiful, and have urged that Whiteman be closed, in favor of "reimagining." Many of these folks have now praised the firefighting response lodged against the recent and ongoing LA fires.  Many structures were left to burn as the firemen stood by without water access from what appeared to be fire hydrants whose potential lack of service went unnoticed.

Like those fire hydrants whose potential importance went ignored, the value of our airports has been subject to the same erroneous and foolish practice.  The thousands of destroyed structures stand as undeniable evidence that existing brush should have been cleared, water pressure should have been checked and maintained, and a reservoir that took two months to drain should have been repaired and operational. All represent that taking our valuable resources for granted, isn't the best of policies.

Whiteman Airport has been taken for granted.  Important politicians, profiteers, and publications have cited noise, pollution, and a waste of land value that should be reimagined and developed by real estate interests.  The fact that LA County-sponsored studies proved that those claims were wrong has not overridden the potential for personal profit from the acreage.

Now, Whiteman's value, and the value of other local reliever airports as well, has been unleashed!  Now the press coverage is filled with comments referring to firefighting aircraft like: "We would not be successful without them." "Aircraft can reach areas otherwise inaccessible," "The biggest tool in our arsenal," "...so effective in battling...," and many other accolades.  The DC-10s in use had to fly to San Berardino to be resupplied with retardant, imagine if our helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft didn't have local airports to use.  Imagine if the 40 aircraft in service had only one airport to access. Imagine if the tall Air Traffic Control Tower at Whiteman didn't exist because the field was closed, and it was replaced with housing and tall office buildings.

So, will the profiteering critics and the politicians in charge support our infrastructure now? When the flames subside will our fire hydrants, and our airports, be again taken for granted?  Will the future potential risks for community safety be ignored?   Those emailed have been asked to officially answer those questions.

01/15/2025   Fuel/Paint Tests At Odds With One Another - California A&P Mike Luvara has posted a second fuel test video he says confirms that G100UL damages paint. GAMI has rebutted with its own test video.  More Here.

01/09/2025    Open Letter to LA City and County Officials "Let the Good Times Roll" Won't Always Work!  Thousands of people have lost their homes. Firemen were stranded without water to fight structures that were ablaze. Orders were given for the fireman to stand down. The devastation could not be stopped. - Those assumed responsible have blamed wind and no permissible airborne firefighting, which has caused strain on public works resources rather than emergency planning. This speaks directly about how important our airports and our aircraft are. Now that the aircraft are in flight, firefighting has become successful. Pilot training and the availability of emergency services are unmistakably necessary!    Read the Entire Release Here

01/07/2025    Oklahoma Firm Working Toward ‘Perpetual Flight’ - Skydweller stayed aloft for 22.5 hours on one of its test flights. - An Oklahoma City-based company says it's on the cusp of developing a solar-powered drone that will effectively never have to land. “We are developing what we believe is the world’s first operationally viable perpetual flight platform," said Barry Matsumori, COO of Skydweller Aero. The airliner-sized platform, with a wingspan greater than that of a 747, flew six times in 2024 from Stennis International Airport in Mississippi. Four of the flights were fully autonomous. The longest was 22.5 hours and the drone got as high as 33,000 feet.

01/03/2025   Airport Design Under Scrutiny In JeJu Air Accident Probe -  "While much remains unknown about the fatal Jeju Air accident in South Korea, what is clear is the tragic role played by the localizer antenna installation off the end of the runway. The hardened structure surrounding the antenna undoubtedly contributed greatly to the destruction of the Boeing 737 as it skidded off the runway and slammed into the unyielding concrete.

12/31/2024   Industry Coalition Encourages President-Elect Trump to Find Common Ground and Keep America’s ATC System the World’s Safest - "Washington, DC, Dec. 23, 2024 – A coalition representing virtually every sector of the nation’s aviation and aerospace industry today sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, urging his incoming administration to work with industry to find a unified path forward to create efficiencies within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that will ensure our nation’s aviation system remains the safest in the world for all users. - “The United States is the global leader in aviation, and it is a top priority to ensure our aviation system remains the largest, safest, most diverse and most efficient in the world,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This letter sends an important message to the new administration that the industry is united in agreement that our nation’s aviation infrastructure must..."  Continue Here

12/30/2024   GAMI Says All High Aromatic Gasolines Are Hard On Paint - Read it Here.

12/30/2024   NBAA Joins Call for FCC to Investigate Ligado Claims of GPS Interference Mitigation - "NBAA recently joined with 29 other stakeholders from both within and outside the aviation industry in calling for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take a closer look at claims made by Ligado Networks regarding a key mitigation to reduce the potential for interference with GPS signals. - In April 2020, the FCC issued its controversial “Ligado Order” approving a high-speed broadband cellular network that NBAA and other stakeholders assert has been proven to interfere with GPS and satellite communications networks.  Read More.

12/30/2024   Is It Electric Aviation’s Time? - Maturing technology, public acceptance and a new regulatory framework are all aligning.- "I'm going to miss the internal combustion engine. Ease up climate change deniers. I'm not discussing that. I'm simply reporting the facts and the fact is that for all intents and purposes the technology that propelled we boomers through just about every significant moment of our lives will eventually be replaced by a soulless stator and armature" Read it Here.

12/25/2024   Textron Keeps G100UL Off Approved Fuel List, Wants More Testing - Textron issues statements on unleaded fuel compatibility. - "Textron says it won't add G100UL unleaded avgas to its approved fuel list until it has been more thoroughly tested. In statements released last Friday (one for singles, one for twins), the company said it won't be giving its stamp of approval to the fuel unless and until that more comprehensive testing has been done. It cites the Piston Aviation Fuel Initiative (PAFI) and the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) fuel evaluation process, of which it is an active participant, as the kind of "comprehensive testing of candidate replacement fuels for engine performance, materials compatibility, and operational safety" it's looking for. -  GAMI said the statements in Textron's documents have been thoroughly debunked and all the engines in Textron's massive fleet are approved to run safely on G100UL."

'“The two new Textron/Cessna Beechcraft “Piston Communiques’ "released as of December 19^th ,  relating to Single and Multi-Engine Textron Aviation Aircraft, each contain claims and allegations about G100UL Avgas that have been repeated over and over again in the various statements from the PAFI/EAGLE participants.  Each of those claims about G100UL Avgas have previously been demonstrated by FAA-approved and..."    Finish reading Here.

12/24/2024   Think Tank Urges DOGE To Make ATC ‘User-Funded’ - "Reason Foundation says government funding model a drag on ATC system. - Influential libertarian think tank the Reason Foundation has written an open letter to the incoming leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency to make air traffic control a "user-funded utility." The foundation, which is credited with coining the term "privatization," says most of the rest of the world (83 countries) has already distanced ATC from direct government control and are better off for it. "Ours is one of the very few still funded by taxes and micromanaged by a political body," the letter to Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy says. "Our ATC system is the world’s largest and was once known as the world’s most advanced. That is no longer the case." - The letter says the inevitable short-term nature of government funding and the limits of it keep ATC constantly starved for innovation and the ability to keep up with technology. "It cannot afford to..."   Continue Here.

12/16/2024   Mark Baker reflects on major successes and work that remains - "Mark Baker had been a member for years when he took the helm at AOPA in 2013. But like most new employees, he quickly had a revelation—there’s a lot more to the association than most people realize. Even longtime members like Baker can get a bit of shock when they step behind the curtain."  Read his Comments Here.

12/16/2024   Data in Action: Uncovering Flight Emissions Trends with Cirium’s EmeraldSky Analytics - "Recent data from Cirium’s cutting-edge flight emissions analytics platform, EmeraldSky, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends shaping flight emissions today. - Understanding the environmental impact of flight emissions is crucial for aviation industry stakeholders. Recent data from Cirium’s cutting-edge flight emissions analytics platform, EmeraldSky, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends shaping flight emissions today. Notably, emissions per flight within the UK domestic market have increased by 18% over the past five years. Similarly, flights between the UK and Japan have seen a 21% rise in emissions per flight, primarily due to extended flight times caused by the closure of Russian airspace. - These statistics highlight the complex interplay of factors influencing current industry practices. The closure of..."  Continue Here.

11/27/2024   Former Rep. Shuster Pushes ATC Privatization Concept - Shuster was unable to get the concept passed while still in Congress - "A former key lawmaker revisited the concept of air traffic control privatization during an Aero Club of Washington luncheon last week, saying the issue needs to be reconsidered. According to Washington insider publication Politico, former Rep. Bill Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican who chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2013 through 2018 and strongly pushed for privatization during his tenure, told Aero Club luncheon attendees, “I think we should take it out of government, commercialize it, or make a non-for-profit similar to that was the idea that I had six years ago.” - "Shuster, now a senior policy advisor for the multinational law firm Squire Patton Boggs, added, “I think..." Read the commentary Here.

11/26/2024 - Published by City Watch: Will The Mayor And Councilwoman Park Please Speak With The FAA? - "Apparently, the city is bypassing the FAA. FYI, the FAA takes those rules very seriously."

Will The Mayor And Councilwoman Park Please Speak With The FAA? CityWatch is published 24/7 with special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evening, with Extras as appropriate around special events such as elections or imp www.citywatchla.com

11/26/2024   Insiders Share Tips on Creating a Positive Rapport With FAA Inspectors - "Be prepared. Be nice. Above all, be professional. These are the keys to building and maintaining a good relationship with the people at the FAA – which is critical to any business aircraft operator. - FAA inspectors are “not there to make your life easier for you,” said David Norton, partner and head of aviation practice at Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP, in Dallas. “They’re there to keep the flying public safe. They have a very difficult job, and they’re understaffed. They’re not going to spend time correcting your mistakes.” - "Norton and another subject matter expert, Keith Allen, director of training & standards at Overland Park, KS-based Airshare, offered a few general tips for... "  For the Tips, CLICK HERE.

11/24/2024   Study finds American-made e-fuels could transform aviation and grid resilience while halving emissions - "A new study reveals that American-made e-fuels, produced using surplus renewable energy and waste CO2, could significantly reduce aviation emissions, enhance grid resilience, and drive economic growth. A new paper from the Environmental Defense Fund, Intermittent Production of Electricity-based Synthetic Jet Fuel as a Demand-side Management Strategy for Grid Decarbonisation, highlights the significant economic and climate potential of American-made e-fuels. Aircraft emissions are a major and growing contributor to climate pollution, ranking among the world’s top 10 sources of greenhouse gas emissions if aviation were a country. With rising demand for air travel, addressing these emissions is critical for global climate goals.  Read More Here.

11/21/2024   City responds after court shoots down airport takeover lawsuit - VIDEO & Story - "We are still in the fight"' councilman says - JACKSON, Miss. — "A United States Court of Appeals shot down a lawsuit that attempted to prevent the State of Mississippi from taking over the Jackson-Evers International Airport.

Fifth Circuit Court Judge Edith Jones said, "For numerous reasons that have percolated throughout this litigation, we conclude that the current Plaintiffs, members of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, lack Article III standing to sue. Groundhog Day has come to an end. Accordingly, we VACATE the order of the district court and REMAND with instructions to dismiss. - The lawsuit was the fourth attempt by the City of Jackson and the Airport Commission to stop a state-passed takeover of the airport. - Mississippi Sen. Josh Harkins authored the measure that was passed in 2016 that set up a regional board with representatives from the state, Madison and Rankin counties and the City of Jackson."  View Full Story Here.

11/19/2024   Sean Duffy Tapped As DOT Secretary - by Russ Niles - "Fox commentator and former congressman Sean Duffy has been nominated as Transportation Secretary. - President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that one of the first priorities for Sean Duffy, his pick for Transportation Secretary, is to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs for pilots and air traffic controllers to "make our skies safe again." Duffy was selected late Monday and was not among those being touted for the job. The two-term former Republican congressman from Wisconsin left politics in 2019 and joined Fox Business as a commentator in 2023."  Continue Here.

11/19/2024   Graves Would Be A Great DOT Secretary: Too Bad He Probably Won’t Get It - by Russ Niles - "Rep. Sam Graves, the self-described airplane nut who also chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is apparently in the running to be the next Transportation Secretary and regardless of your politics, it would be tough to find a more qualified or more passionate choice. Too bad he's not Elon Musk's favorite for the job.

11/19/2024   NBAA Hits ‘Flawed’ Environmental Study - NBAA says study time frame skewed results.- From AVweb - "NBAA has hit back at a study on the environmental impact of business aviation it says relies “on a cherry-picked data set, flawed analysis and omission of key facts.” Last week the journal Communications Earth and Environment issued its report that concluded that "regulation is needed to address the sector's growing climate impact." The summary of the report got wide play in the mainstream media and NBAA has sent its rebuttal to all those that used it.

11/16/2024   The Path to Unleaded Avgas: A Critical Transition for Aviation – Fall 2024 Update - Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE)

The aviation community has long recognized the need to eliminate lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft, a goal set to be achieved by the end of 2030 through the leadership of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative. This ambitious endeavor brings together government and industry partners committed to finding a safe and reliable unleaded aviation fuel that is viable throughout the aviation supply chain.

As the general aviation community works toward this goal, the role of aircraft owners cannot be overstated. They are, after all, the ultimate end-users of any new fuel, and their buy-in will be critical to its success.

This transition is about more than meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about ensuring that aircraft owners feel confident in the safety and reliability and availability of the new fuel. The solution must be robust enough to meet the diverse needs of the piston-engine fleet, ranging from the World War II era planes to modern helicopters.

Currently, there are three promising unleaded fuel candidates. Their developers are pursuing either the Fleet Authorization (FA) under the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) or the traditional Supplemental Type Certification (STC) process via an approved model list (AML). Both pathways ensure that engines and aircraft can safely operate on the new fuel, however, regardless of the path to approval to use in the aircraft, consumer acceptance will hinge on more than FAA approval.

Fuel developers must not only prove their products’ safety and compatibility with the existing fleet but also demonstrate to key industry stakeholders that their product is reliable. Aircraft owners need assurance that switching to a new fuel won't void manufacturer warranties. They also need to be confident that it won't cause damage to paint, electronics, engine components or fuel systems. The aviation supply chain will need assurances as well. This next fuel must be produced, distributed, stored, possibly comingled with other fuels, pumped, and consumed without causing damage or requiring significant equipment modifications. Industry stakeholders understand that any new fuels must meet the needs of aircraft owners and be compatible with production, distribution and dispensing systems.

EAGLE has worked diligently over the past 18 months to keep stakeholders informed, providing updates on the progress of key unleaded fuel developers. General Aviation Modifications Inc.'s (GAMI) G100UL and Swift Fuels’ 100R are advancing through the STC process.  GAMI has already secured a broad Approved Model List (AML) STC for its fuel in 2022 for piston engines and airplanes. Recently, the FAA granted Swift Fuels its first STC for the use of its 100R in Cessna 172 R & S model aircraft powered by Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines, with many additional engines and airframes being evaluated for approval in the weeks ahead. LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s UL100E is progressing through the PAFI pathway, having completed about 25 percent of critical materials compatibility and full-scale engine detonation and performance testing. Both Swift Fuels and LyondellBasell/VP Racing have also begun working through ASTM International on the development of an industry consensus production specification for their respective fuels.

The recent updates from EAGLE provide optimism. To learn more visit: flyEAGLE.org (See Stakeholder Meetings) Progress is being made, and general aviation’s path to acceptance of unleaded fuel continues.

Congress and the FAA’s commitment to this initiative is underscored by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization, which supports the continued availability of 100-octane low-lead (100LL) avgas until the end of 2030, or when a certified unleaded alternative is available at airports. (Alaska, a state heavily reliant on piston-engine aircraft, has been given a slightly extended timeline protecting continued availability of 100LL through the end of 2032). However, the collaborative industry/government EAGLE goal is clear: the elimination of leaded aviation fuel by the end of 2030.

General aviation is moving to ensure a safe, reliable transition to unleaded avgas without jeopardizing the operational safety of the piston-engine fleet. Aircraft owners must stay informed and engaged as this transition unfolds. It is important that they educate themselves on any restrictions that may accompany an STC and comply with any OEM directives that may be issued.  They are the key players in this process, and their comfort with these new fuels will drive this monumental shift.

It is not enough for the FAA to approve these new fuels. The industry—from aircraft owners to fuel distributors to FBOs that dispense fuel and aircraft manufacturers that provide continued operational support—must accept them. Safety, reliability, and commercial viability must guide this transition, ensuring that by the end of 2030, piston-engine aircraft can take to the skies with unleaded fuel that is dependable. The future of general aviation depends on it.

The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative is a comprehensive public-private partnership consisting of the aviation and petroleum industries and U.S. government stakeholders, and a wide range of other constituents and interested parties, all working toward the transition to lead-free aviation fuels for piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030 without compromising the safety or economic health of the general aviation industry. To learn more, visit: https://flyEAGLE.org/

11/13/2024   FAA seeks industry input to upgrade aging airport radar systems - From militaryaerospace.com - "Industry feedback is sought on acquisition strategies, including a potential shift to radar data as a service. Under the service model, the FAA would obtain data feeds from private vendors but would not own or maintain the radar equipment. - WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administation (FAA) is updating and replacing aging radar systems in U.S. airspace, specifically in terminal areas within 60 nautical miles of airports and is looking for industry insight as part of its Airspace Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar (ANSR) program, which will replace the outdated ASRs. The ANSR program aims to sustain non-cooperative surveillance, improve radar coverage, reduce false detections from wind turbine interference, enhance detection algorithms, and modernize data protocols to align with current cybersecurity standards." - INFO and Finish Reading Here.

11/13/2024   The unbreakable bond between an Airman and the sky - From: Air Force Reserve Command - "WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  

“Hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer panic” is how retired Col. Richard Heyman described his experience as a pilot during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Growing up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Heyman's fascination with flight took hold as he watched British pilots train at Spartan Field in Miami, Oklahoma, during WWII. Driving past the airfield, he was mesmerized by aircraft performing aerial maneuvers, especially the iconic P-38 Lightning.

The decision to enlist and be a pilot became clear. “That's the life, that's what I want to do,” then the young Heyman thought.
Heyman's father signed his enlistment papers on the condition that..."   Full Story Here.

11/11/2024   So, Why Do We Need EAGLE And ASTM, Anyway? - From AVweb, Russ Niles - "Two competing unleaded high-octane fuels are now on the market. Isn’t that what everyone wanted? - So what's confusing me now is that the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) group isn't in full celebration mode and winding up its operations. After all, its mandate is to "eliminate the use of lead in aviation fuel for piston engine aircraft in the United States by the end of 2030 without impacting the safe and efficient operation of the existing fleet." - "In the past 10 days two of the three candidate fuels under the EAGLE umbrella have entered full commercial service in the real world and in full compliance with all relevant rules and regulations. The mandate has been achieved six years ahead of deadline. That's a beautiful thing, right?

11/10/2024   Padilla Advocates Against Expanded Hangars at Van Nuys Airport - From my news LA.Com - "L.A. Councilwoman Imelda Padilla Thursday urged the Board of Airport Commissioners to deny a proposal to renovate hangars at Van Nuys Airport citing concerns the bidding process violated the City Charter. - In closed session, the five-member board is scheduled to discuss a Los Angeles County Superior Courts lawsuit filed by Bonseph Helinet LLC, which alleged the city failed to renew the helicopter company’s lease and a request to upgrade its facilities after environmental concerns were raised by residents. Earlier this year, the City Council denied a 25-year lease with Helinet and agreed that more community input was needed before a contract could be finalized. - Helinet then sued the city in a bid to have its project move forward.

Councilwoman Padilla, who addressed the board Thursday during their meeting at LAX, said the “very big item, that if approved” would have “big impacts in my district.”

- In a letter to the council’s Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee dated Feb. 5, William Lee, a former member of the Helinet Board of Advisors, said the proposal would support the company’s “important public health services.” Helinet provides helicopter services for charter, production, air medical and aircraft management in Los Angeles, such as the Children’s Hospital, UCLA, USC, Cedars-Sinai, UCSD and UC Riverside." Read the Full Article Here.

11/10/2024   Navigating the Lure of Added Power - "It can make more financial sense to buy an airplane that has already had the upgrade installed rather than purchase a stock airplane and do it later. - Back when I belonged to a flying club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it had one plane that stood out from the rest. It was N1412V, a red-and-white 1974 Cessna 172M Skyhawk. It sported an orange-and-white vinyl interior, complete with sweet chrome trim. - Majestic as the interior was, however, it was the 180 hp engine upgrade that made it everyone’s favorite. - I never would have guessed that adding 20-30 hp to a standard 172 would have such a dramatic effect on the overall flying experience, but 12V consistently seemed to deliver performance far beyond the numbers on paper. Maintaining the best angle of climb after takeoff introduced a concerningly steep deck angle, and even with all four seats occupied, it never felt lethargic like the other 172s."  Continue Here.

11/05/2024   Sunset Flights - Fixed Wing Tour Operator headquartered at San Gabriel Valley Airport reports an increase in near misses.  His Letter to the FAA and his suggestions and requests. Read it Here,

11/01/2024   SAF Production, Availability and Use Continue to Rise - "Experts who follow the emerging sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry say production of the environmentally friendly alternative to Jet A has grown exponentially in just a few years, and its availability is about to skyrocket. - SAF, which is made from non-petroleum renewable feedstocks such as cooking oils and agricultural waste, has the potential to reduce business aviation greenhouse gas emissions by 80% throughout its life cycle."  Finish Reading Here.

10/30/2024  Air Traffic Control - A Career With Sky-High Rewards - FAA-  "Flying safely to our destination is something we don’t take for granted, but have you ever thought about the intricate logistics that make it all possible? Air traffic controllers are among the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring the safety and efficiency of our airspace, and we need more of them!

Air traffic control is a challenging career, but for those with the right skills and determination, it’s incredibly rewarding. In this episode from Season 6, we hear firsthand from FAA’s Jose Castellanos, a controller at the San Juan tower in Puerto Rico. Jose shares his journey into the field, which began with his acceptance into the FAA's Minority Serving Institutions internship program. - If you’re curious about becoming an air traffic controller and want to learn more, tune in to hear Jose share his top safety priorities, continuous learning strategies, and valuable advice for aspiring controllers. He also demonstrates interesting concepts like "phraseology," the specialized language used by controllers to communicate with pilots.

A career in air traffic control offers advanced training, the opportunity to make a real impact, and professional fulfillment.  If you're ready to take on this specialized and skilled profession we’re now accepting applications through November 4, 2024. Visit www.faa.gov/be-atc to learn more about the application process. - Listen to the episode on FAA.gov, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.  Share with your network – you never know who might find inspiration to explore a fulfilling career path they hadn't considered before.

Thanks for sticking around as we take a break for the off-season. It's the perfect opportunity to catch up on episodes you might have missed or revisit your favorites. During this time, we'll be re-releasing standout episodes like this one as we gear up for the second half of Season 7, launching this spring."

10/23/2024   Study on other uses for Whiteman Airport approved by LA County supervisors - From The Los Angeles Daily News - Study will focus on alternatives if the airport closes, and the economic activity and impacts of aviation

"An expanded land use study will examine other uses for the county-owned Whiteman Airport in Pacoima should it be shut down, including the possibility of building affordable housing, according to a motion approved Tuesday, Oct. 22 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Its action adds $1.3 million for a consulting firm already charged with studying the airport, bringing the study’s cost to $1.9 million to look at economic impacts and alternative uses “for the potential repurposing” of the general aviation airport, according to county documents. The study will also determine the economic benefits of aviation operations.

“Although no final decision has been made to close Whiteman Airport, it is prudent at this time to investigate all potential impacts of airport closure to the Pacoima community and the County,” wrote Kelly LoBianco, director of the county’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in a letter to the board dated Oct. 22.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who represents the area, authored a motion in April that asked for the study about operational impacts, as well as shutting it down and using the 184-acre site for other purposes. Tuesday’s action sets that full study in motion.

“An economic study is a critical next step in a process to reimagine the Whiteman Airport site in Pacoima,” said Horvath in a prepared statement. “The results of the fiscal analysis and land use study will inform future actions while we take immediate steps today to protect the health of the residents of the Northeast San Fernando Valley, including the transition to unleaded aviation fuel.”

SCAUWG.ORG Comment: Having watched the proceedings and being in a telephone queue waiting to give a one-minute response for what was hours, I can testify that item # 29 (the measure to study closure) was never discussed. Two speakers did get to address the Board via telephone, They requested opposition.  No one spoke in favor. Unfortunately, my telephone connection failed.  The speakers spoke during what was a form of "cattle call" as the discussion of agenda items by the Board ended at #17 wherein it seemed as if the discussion on that item lasted at least an hour. At that moment callers and those present in person were invited to address any of the remaining 58 items that were also not read but lumped into what was a bulk vote.

SCAUWG.ORG submitted evidence into the written record that Whiteman Airport enjoys the benefit of legal perpetuity (described in the section that follows). The release took some time to prepare even on a rushed schedule.  The notice of the 10/22 morning meeting was dated 10/16. The notice was sent to Dawyn Harrison, County Counsel, as well as to each Supervisor. And so, with one rapid vote of either Yea or Nea, (all voted Yea) all of the "special items" that were not individually addressed (like the study) were approved.  It mattered not that one of the #29 speakers addressed the Board saying that records show the airport should not be closed, and it mattered not that the notices were sent, and that two entries into the public record were made and their acceptance was confirmed. Number 29 was not addressed, nor was the vote delayed, allowing consultation with County council.

The above Los Angeles Daily News story reveals data that seems to infer that the decision to approve was made, and statements were prepared before the meeting. The rush to vote without adequate notice of the issue skewed a thoughtful and timely response, and in this case, approved a 1.3-million-dollar expenditure to study closing an airport that by regulation enjoys the right to stay open into perpetuity.

It is ironic that item #17 which garnered so much Supervisor conversation, addressed the notion that last-minute agenda notices created a lack of adequate notice for responsible parties to respond to proposed measures.

It is recognized that the County has the right to order studies and that in this case, that study doesn't affect the legal right for the airport to remain perpetually.  SCAUWG.ORG is proud to have participated with NBAA, and later with the endorsements of AOPA, NATA, and VAI, bringing the matter of Whiteman Airport perpetuity to the fore, and to LA County Supervisor's attention.  Read the Entire Article Here.

WHITEMAN AIRPORT - ENTITLED TO PERPETUITY!

SEE the MULTI-ASSOCIATION SPONSORED DOCUMENT    (SCAUWG.ORG Participated in the Origination)    A Notice to the LA COUNTY  BOARD of SUPERVISORS and EVIDENCE of FEDERAL FUNDING for a 1999 AIP GRANT for the purchase of Real Property.  CLICK HERE.

Landing gear failure - "There I Was," Series - VIDEO - From AOPA - "Piper Twin Comanche pilot Marc Arsenault recalls an in-flight landing gear malfunction—and his creative solution."

‘NBAA News Hour: IRS Audits Have Begun – What Bizav Operators Need to Know - "That’s according to a panel of tax experts on the recent NBAA News Hour webinar: “The IRS Audits Have Begun — What BizAv Operators Need to Know Now.”
In February, the IRS announced that it was using Inflation Reduction Act funding to determine for tax purposes whether large companies and wealthy entities’ use of private jets was being properly allocated between business and personal reasons. This campaign, which NBAA strongly objected to, would include “dozens of audits” by the IRS Large Business and International Division."  View NBAA’s statement.  -  Continue Here.

Hurricane Hunters’ Fly Into the Eye of Hurricane Milton - "Pilots with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Aircraft Operations Center study the storm as it approaches Florida. - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) houses a small fleet of “hurricane hunters,” which researchers deploy to predict a hurricane’s structure, intensity, and path. And with Milton forecast to remain a major hurricane when it impacts the Tampa area on Wednesday, the data they gather will be as important as ever.

Torrance Airport Update:    Posted: 05/14/2024

• The Airport Commission (which is an advisory body for the city council) is being suspended due to a perceived breach of the brown act.  Jim Gates asked the commission to aid his request for answers regarding the landing light outage.  The commission had an agenda item to "accept and file" a report on the lights.  The commission believed that trying to answer the questions posed was within the scope of the agenda and asked the city staff liaison (Gerry Pinela) for advice.  That advice was to seek a meeting with the city council to request an answer.  The commission then passed a motion to have a meeting with council members to seek answers.  The city council saw that as passing a motion for a non-agendized item that violates the Brown Act.

• Because of that, the city council approved a motion to suspend the airport commission for 3 months, placing any necessary responsibilities under the transportation committee.  The chair of the transport committee is a real estate developer and city council person, Mattucci.

• At the 7-May council meeting where this happened, the only new member voted in during the March election stated that he believed the airport commission chair (Anne Minder) being a pilot and member of TAA was biased and not operating in the best interest of the city, so while he was not sure of the Brown Act violation, he supported a suspension to determine the path forward.

• Interestingly, the leader of COTAR (the resident group seeking the reform of TOA and driving excuse for the city to take all the sanctions that have been taken), Chuck Costello, said that he wanted the airport commission to continue.

• Anne Minder has resigned as chair of the commission.

• On the brighter side we (TAA) are creating a community outreach pancake breakfast for local residents and pilots (not intended as a fly-in).  On 15-June 8 am-noon.

• We have also begun to engage the Chamber of Commerce and are working on ideas of "how we can help businesses grow".

• Also contacted the city's economic development office to see how to advertise Torrance as a destination more accessible because of the airport.

• Discussing how to engage local hotels in a "come to Torrance" via GA campaign

• We seem to lack the power to affect more than ideas...

--

Blue Skies,

Gary Palmer, CFI-SEL, CPL-SEL, AGI, IGI

Torrance, CA

Webmaster Note:  Gary is a talented instructor, a motivated airport advocate, and a fine pilot who is genuinely interested in his community for all the right reasons.  Gary is a member of TAA and of SCAUWG.

G100UL Maker Refutes NATA Claim That It’s Not Ready To Sell  - "Vitol Aviation, which has more than a million gallons of General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) G100UL unleaded avgas for sale, is disputing claims by the National Air Transportation that the fuel is not ready to be sold. In a statement last week, NATA said that without a fuel specification from ASTM International, which GAMI has chosen not to pursue, fuel suppliers and retailers “lack assurances that the unleaded fuel they are selling will not expose them to liability” and the fuel therefore cannot be considered “commercially available.” But Vitol says it has had no problem getting insurance for its handling of G100UL, the fuel has been fully tested and vetted and it fully intends to bring it to market."  Full Comment Here.

NATA’s Hard Line Complicates Fuel Quest - "The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has laid all its cards on the table. We now know why it thinks General Aviation Modifications Inc.’s G100UL unleaded fuel is clearly considered an outlier in the quest for a new drop-in replacement for 100LL even though it has been approved by the FAA via a universal STC for gas engines in certified airplanes (the helicopter process is underway). - According to a statement from NATA, the STC, which in FAA circles is an immensely powerful document, is nothing more than “a positive step” toward..."  Full Article Here.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE: DO YOU REALLY NEED A COMPASS? - Federal Aviation Administration regulations state that an aircraft operated under visual flight rules must have a "magnetic direction indicator." Does that have to be a compass? - “For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.” - H.L. Mencken. - That’s exactly where I found myself when pondering the question, “Do I need to put a compass in the Titan T-51D Mustang that I’m building?” - Full Story: AOPA Online

Common Scam Types - Useful Info for Pilots and Everyone reprinted here from Capitol One for a common Good  - 

Payment scams

Employment scams

Tech support scams

Impersonation scams

Fake rental

Fake websites

Overpayment scams

Check cashing

Romance scams

Charity scams

Debt relief

FTC / IRS scams

Investment scams

Lottery scams

Grandparent scam

Puppy scam

Online Merchant/Marketplace Scams

Mortgage closing

Business email compromise scams

Flying Through Political Headwinds by Mike Jones - An Excerpt from Cessna Pilots Magazine June 2023 - "Which is exactly the relationship between our local airports and the governments that own them. Airports and politicians are symbiotes in the convoluted process of governance. Every airplane needs an airport. If you recall from Doug Tilghman’s epistles on airports published in this magazine at the beginning of this year, there are about 20,000 airports in the FAA registry. Only about 5,000 are public access airports, and 83% of those are owned by towns, cities or counties. As public facilities, those airports depend upon the largess of city managers, county commissioners and state representatives to deliver funding and grants, which are the “scraps of food” airports need to prosper and grow. Which leads to two very important questions for pilots like you and me. First, how does anybody get the attention of those busy decision makers? Second, lacking a suction cup on the top of my head, what does it take to get them to scatter some greenbacks in the direction of my airport? "  Read the Full Mike Jones Commentary Here.