When compared to home renovation or automobiles or boating or any number of other industries, general aviation is a pretty small segment of the economy, no matter how it is sliced. But we are an active bunch.
General Aviation Modifications’ (GAMI) unleaded avgas G100UL is finally being sold in the marketplace. First stop, Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) near San Jose, California. After 12 long years, it is nice to see the first gallons being pumped into aircraft.
Swift Fuels’ unleaded avgas, UL94, is flowing at Crownair Aviation in San Diego, California. And San Carlos Flight Center is pumping Swift Fuels’ unleaded 100R in its Cessna 172 training aircraft.
The Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (PMOPA) launched a new safety training program for M-Class aircraft pilots at the association’s recent convention. The program, “M-Class Elevate,” aims to improve pilot skills and reduce accident rates. It focuses on key areas like risk management, avionics, and flight procedures.
Alongside M-Class Elevate, PMOPA also introduced its M-Class Standardized Instructor Pilot (MSIP) program. MSIP recognized 23 certified flight instructors who specialize in M-Class aircraft and are trained to use the Elevate curriculum.
The Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recently recognized Duncan Aviation as the 2024 VFW Employer Of The Year. The award recognizes and honors a company that has demonstrated exceptional commitment in hiring and retaining veterans.
In July, the company received the VFW National Employer Of The Year award. This award recognizes Duncan Aviation for actively recruiting, hiring, and offering continuing support for veterans in the company’s workforce.
Roughly one in four Duncan Aviation employees are veterans or active members of the military.
Bravo Duncan Aviation.
Metro Aviation, an air medical operator, has ordered 20 eVOTLs from Beta Technologies. Metro Aviation plans to integrate the Beta A250 into its existing fleet of 170 aircraft across 27 states.
Beta Technologies also recently raised $318 million of funding. Having raised more than $1 billion in total funding, Beta will use this additional capital for certification, production, and ongoing development of its charging infrastructure.
Joby Aviation took its production prototype electric air taxi to Japan to demonstrate it flying in front of Toyota Motor Company executives. Toyota engineers work side-by-side with the Joby team in California and, in 2023, the two companies signed a long-term agreement for Toyota to supply key powertrain and actuation components for the production of Joby’s aircraft.
While Joby reported $709 million in cash and short-term investments on its balance sheet at the end of the third quarter of 2024, operations in the quarter produced a $144 million loss. Operating expenses primarily reflected costs to support certification and manufacturing of prototype aircraft, parts, and test articles, according to company officials.
Electric air taxi maker Archer‘s founder and CEO Adam Goldstein and Regulatory Affairs Officer and former FAA administrator Billy Nolen sat down to chat about the FAA’s Powered-Lift SFAR. Powered-Lift is the first new aircraft category in 80 years.
Collectively, they believe the powered-lift community is relieved with the SFAR but also realize they have to step up to meet compliance, certification, testing, and operational readiness.
How do you walk 1,000 miles? One step at a time. These businesses, among many others, exude the one step at a time mentality. Onward.
UL94 costs $8 / gallon at Reid Hillview. G100UL is $7 / gallon. Mogas, far more plentiful and ideal for over 70% of all legacy piston aircraft and nearly all new aircraft engines, can be found as low as $3.85 / gallon at U.S. airports, and at over 17,000 gas stations across the country. It was first approved by the FAA nearly a half century ago. I do not see these expensive boutique fuels as progress at all. What good are they if few can afford them? As far as battery flying machines is concerned, they are held aloft by government support and naïve investors. Lilium is just one example of how millions of dollars have been burned with nothing to show.
Wow, way to stick together Kent. the GA fleet of 30% who cannot use Autogas is just too bad for you? GA is small, we need to stick together or GA will disappear.