The aviation fuel crunch is starting to get some attention, and rightfully so. The Denver Business Journal is quoting 15 to 30 percent drops in Q1 profits for airports in the Denver area. This represents a hit to General Aviation as well as a hit to revenues generated for the state from taxes etc... Hopefully this added attention can start to generate the kind of actions that provide GA with some sort of a break. Without some sort of relief it's going to quickly become cost prohibitive to fly...

JetWhine has a good article out today raising the issue of LSA cost effectiveness as compared to your standard 4 seat type trainer. Scott Spangler points out that an LSA at cruise only sips 4 to 5 gph while your average Cessna runs above 8 or so. This is the type of action that needs to be highlighted if GA is going to remain true to its roots as an affordable and fun way to spend your time. With supplies of 100LL in question, the need to tighten our belts is becoming integral in winning the fight for a new generation of pilot's.

Late last year, the Santa Monica city council voted to ban category C and D aircraft from using their muicipal airport. As far as anyone in the Aviation industry can tell, this statute is completely illegal and thankfully, as the LA Times reports, a district judge has issued a restraining order that forbids the city from enforcing that ordinance pending review.

One of my favorite acts at the show was Greg Koontz. First, he pretended to be a non-pilot going for a ride in a J-3 when the plane "accidentally" took off. He spent the next 15 minutes putting on a very controlled show of being out of control. Finally, deciding that it would be "too difficult" to land on the runway, he landed the plane on a platform welded to the top of a Dodge Ram moving down the runway. It was awesome!

Then, he appeared a few acts later in his bright red Super Decathlon and put on an excellent aerobatic performance. At the end of his display, the announcer mentioned that Greg gives tailwheel and aerobatic instruction at his fly-in bed and breakfast, the Sky Country Lodge.

I was looking around AOPA’s website today and noticed a new program that they are recommending that we all participate in. AOPA has published a guide to holding an Airport Open House.

As I was reading through the pamphlet AOPA has a lot of good recommendations on how to facilitate an open house. They have included ideas on who to invite, what to plan and how to invite distinguished visitors. There is also information on how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that occur when there is an open house.

I was looking around AOPA’s website today and noticed a new program that they are recommending that we all participate in. AOPA has published a guide to holding an Airport Open House.

As I was reading through the pamphlet AOPA has a lot of good recommendations on how to facilitate an open house. They have included ideas on who to invite, what to plan and how to invite distinguished visitors. There is also information on how to avoid some of the common pitfalls that occur when there is an open house.

We got a tip on a good story from Dee over at On The Beach. They've compiled a list of the 10 most dangerous places to land, and it includes some very cool videos. Now I probably would have added a few fun back country landing strips to the list... but that's just my own personal bias. Here's the link... Enjoy!!

That is in a private jet anyways... Bloomberg is reporting that the airports around the University of Phoenix stadium have a problem with overcrowding. Turns out the superbowl is the place to be seen if you've got money, and the way to get there is by private jet. So roughly 1,000 private toys are descending on the Phoenix area for the game this weekend.