Industry Analysis

Electric Aircraft 2020 and Why You’ll Want One – Bye Aerospace eFlyer2

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Check out my latest YouTube video interview with George Bye that includes a number of images and video clips supplied by Bye Aerospace. George has been on a 12-year quest to make electric aircraft a reality. I became convinced that electric aircraft are our future after I first talked with George in 2010 and later … Read more

$100 per Flight Aircraft User Fees Proposed in Deficit Reduction Plan

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A press release today from the AEA, Aircraft Electronics Association, signals that once again we need to rally all pilots to fight proposed user fees. Deficit reduction is important, but preserving our industry is also important. Currently the proposed $100 per flight fee would only apply to aviation operators flying in controlled airspace.

Max Trescott AirVenture Videos 2011

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If you didn’t get to see EAA Sport Aviation technology columnist Max Trescott at AirVenture 2011, here’s your chance. Max produced 55 videos reporting all the new and exciting products featured at AirVenture 2011 and his reports are must-see. (We’ll be posting more in the coming days) Follow Max as he discusses things like hybrid engines, iPad products, and anything from what’s in today’s aircraft panel to what’s under the cowling.

$5 million X PRIZE Needed for a Low Cost Electric Airplane

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General Aviation needs the equivalent of an X PRIZE for the design of a new, low cost, electric aircraft that cuts the cost of flying by 80%. To be effective, a general aviation X PRIZE needs to spur the development of an electric aircraft that is the functional equivalent of the venerable Cessna 152, or the more modern Cessna 162 SkyCatcher. Criteria should include:

Two seats
Speed of 100 knots
Endurance of three hours with 30 minute reserve
Recharging or battery switch time of 30 minutes
Carry 400 pounds of pilot, passenger and baggage
Costs less than $10/hour to operate for electricity
Target production cost of $100,000

Female Student Pilots – Barriers to Completing Flight Training

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Men and women are different. But knowing how they are different when it comes to flight training is not well known. A review of FAA Airman statistics showed that over the prior ten years, women consistently comprised 6% of total pilots and 6% of CFIs, yet were 11% of student pilots. That suggested to me that women may drop out of flight training at a higher rate than men. Also, as an active flight instructor, I realized that I have had relatively few women clients, but that female CFIs seem to have a relatively large number of female clients. Thus I wondered, are women student pilots more likely to complete flight training and earn a certificate if they have a female CFI versus a male CFI? My mail survey was design to test that hypothesis and identify barriers to completing flight training.

TSA Confirmation Hearing: GA Pilots’ Phone Calls to Congress are Effective

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Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a confirmation hearing on the nomination of John Pistole to be the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) administrator. The most interesting revelation from a General Aviation point of view was one Senator’s acknowledgment of the effectiveness of pilots in lobbying Congress.

Medevac Helicopters—Helping People But Killing Crews

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There's a dirty little secret in the helicopter emergency medical services (EMS) industry: management pressure to fly in bad conditions is raking in profits while killing crews. Medicare reimbursement rules and lax regulation that fueled the industry’s growth over the last two decades also provide an incentive to fly substandard helicopters in poor weather conditions. … Read more