One of the most frequent questions we receive from pilots is why their local gas station can no longer supply them with ethanol-free autogas, an FAA-approved lead-free aviation fuel since 1982. Readers of this blog know the answers to this question, but there remain many who believe that gas stations are forbidden from selling anything […]
avgas
Business up at GMU
Air traffic and fuel sales are up at Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU), the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina, signaling expectations of a turnaround. In 2011, air traffic at the Greenville Downtown Airport rose 6% over the year ending 2010, reports Joe Frasher, airport director. “In 2010, GMU had 55,267 operations, which are counted […]
The Valve Seat Recession Conundrum
In a recent blog posted on General Aviation News by Ben Visser, he made a point that poses a serious conundrum for the conversion to unleaded avgas: “The big problem here is that almost all of the aircraft piston engines out there need to be broken-in on 100LL, then they can be switched over to […]
We’ve hit the ethanol blending wall, government reports
As forecast by your bloggers for the past year, it looked likely that the mandated production of ethanol in the US would exceed consumption sometime this winter. According to a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Agency, it appears that this situation, known as “the blending wall” actually occurred this past summer! The report […]
Landmark Aviation opens FBO at OAK
Landmark Aviation has opened its FBO at Oakland International Airport. Landmark’s FBO at OAK is its first in the San Francisco Bay Area and the 12th location added to the network in 2011. The FBO is centrally located at OAK’s North Field in the Hangar 5 facility. Landmark has initiated a multi-million dollar renovation project, […]
Baer Air joins Avfuel network
The Avfuel-branded network of FBOs has expanded with the addition of Baer Air FBO Services, operating at Florida’s Melbourne International Airport (MLB). A division of Baer Air, Inc., an FAA-certified charter service, Baer Air FBO will now offer Avfuel products and solutions in addition to the range of services already provided. Baer Air received approval […]
Oil giant pulls out of 100LL business
UPDATE: Calls from AOPA and EAA Tuesday morning inform us Ben’s column is incorrect. Exxon-Mobil will continue the manufacture of unbranded 100LL fuel. Exxon-Mobil will discontinue branded fuel sales under the Exxon Avitat flag. We are awaiting confirmation from Exxon’s public relations people. I recently read that Exxon-Mobil stopped manufacturing and selling 100LL. (I tried […]
Island City Flying Service joins Avfuel network
Island City Flying Service, the FBO at Florida’s Key West International Airport (EYW) has joined the Avfuel network of FBOs, offering Avfuel products including AVTRIP rewards, Avfuel Contract Fuel and more. The FBO — currently undergoing a complete rebuild scheduled for completion in early 2012 — has been under the ownership of Paul De Poo […]
Tecnam launches discount deposit program for P2010
Richmond, Virginia-based Tecnam North America has launched a discounted deposit program for the Tecnam P2010, a four-seat single expected to have its first test flight early next month. “In celebration of this we are offering a one-off opportunity to place an order for one of these…aircraft for a deposit of just $5,000,” company officials said, adding […]