Reader Mail

Transient Hanger Fees On a recent trip from South Dakota to the West coast I was shocked to be charged fees like $65 per night to hanger a small, single-engine experimental in a large hanger belonging to the FBO. A few years ago, the FBOs would charge a minimal fee or no fee if fuel […]

Texas GA Status I listened with interest to your Podcast about the GA airspace situation in Texas (Podcast Sep. 15). It was noted that GA wasn’t up to the task and work was best left to the “professionals.” When asked about the assessment of damage, the reply was, “We are watching and listening to the […]

Sikorsky Fly by Wire UH60 The first fly-by-wire helicopter was a UH60 (AVwebFlash, Aug. 31), but it was developed by Boeing back in 1985. I know because I was the Flight Test Engineer.The system was called ADOCS and it contained not only a fly-by-light, fiber-optic control system, but also a fly-by-wire backup system as well.Here […]

406 MHz ELTs in Canada What has not been said (AVwebFlash, Aug. 19) is that when the new rule goes into effect, all aircraft operating in Canadian airspace, with a few minor exceptions, will require a 406 MHz ELT. This will include the hundreds of American-registered aircraft that transit Canada. The trip to Alaska will […]

Branson’s Airport I must have been staying in a cave somewhere that did not have wireless internet available. This is the first time I’ve heard of Branson’s private airport (AVwebFlash, Aug. 1).Kindly tell me where it is (maybe even Lat/Long), but in particular, what business/population area it is intended to provide service for.Keep up the […]

Pilot Leaves Controls I enjoy your Web site a great deal, but the fact that a pilot recently left the controls to untangle a ‘chutist (AVwebFlash, July 20) is a bit similar to the typical news article where the airplane that crashed had no flight plan.Leaving the controls is not that big of a deal, […]

Demise of 100LL I just got done reading Lance Nuckoll’s letter regarding the highly uncertain future of 100LL (AVmail, July 7). Given that lead is considered bad news (you can’t even use it in solder for electronics anymore), 100LL isn’t going to be around forever.I would like to offer a suggestion as to how to […]

The Demise of 100LL For at least 10 years, that I know of, the use and future availability of 100 octane low lead (100LL) aviation fuel (avgas) has been “under attack.” For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been giving users a “pass” to continue using 100LL avgas with the caveat that the […]

Aircraft Registration Changes Here is my idea of the registration fix (AVwebFlash, June 6). It would be similar to the way boat registration is done in Georgia. Every three years you have to pay for continuing your registration. You get a small, color-coded sticker that has the registration numbers and the date when it expires […]

Rising Fuel Costs; Falling Flight Hours In your aviation news e-mail about this topic (AVwebFlash, May 30), your writer made this statement: “There’s an old saying that if you have to worry about the cost of fuel, you probably shouldn’t be flying.” I personally find this offensive! Everyone should have the opportunity to fly if […]