2020 Illinois Aviation Conference Announced

The 2020 Illinois Aviation Conference will be held May 20-21 at the Hilton Garden Inn by DuPage Airport in St. Charles, Illinois. Once again, we will be featuring industry speakers and sessions, as well as highlighting outstanding Illinois airports at the IDOT awards luncheon.  More information coming soon.

Leaded Aviation Fuel and the Environment

Avgas is a specialized fuel used to power piston engine aircraft. Aviation gasoline is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that vary widely in their physical and chemical properties. The properties of avgas must be properly balanced to give reliable and safe engine performance over a wide range of aircraft operating conditions. Tetraethyl Lead (TEL) is an organic compound that contains lead and, in small quantities, is very effective in boosting octane. The ban of TEL in automobile gas was phased in over a number of years and was largely completed by 1986 and resulted in significant reductions of lead emissions to the environment. TEL was has not yet been banned for use in avgas, because no operationally safe alternative is currently available. 

What is FAA doing about eliminating leaded aviation fuels?  Four initiatives have been established to develop a safe unleaded replacement aviation gasoline:  [Read More Here]

Fly Safe: Addressing GA Safety​

Review this FAA Safety Team Fact Sheet (PDF) on managing unexpected events.
The Flight Safety Foundation publishes a Tool Kit that can help you manage the deadly duo of interruptions and distractions.
ASA has also created a helpful checklist that will help you balance competing information.
AOPA has these tips on distraction management.
The FAA Safety Briefing has an article on strategies to help you overcome your startle response in the Sep/Oct 2019 issue.
Curious about FAA regulations (Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations)? It’s a good idea to stay on top of them. You can find current FAA regulations on this website.
The FAASafety.gov website has Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars, and more on key general aviation safety topics.

Proposed Rule on Remote ID for Drones

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a proposed rule that would continue the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, into the nation’s airspace by requiring them to be identifiable remotely.  “Remote ID technologies will enhance safety and security by allowing the FAA, law enforcement, and Federal security agencies to identify drones flying in their jurisdiction,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.  The FAA seeks input on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Remote Identification (Remote ID) of UAS that today was published in the Federal Register. It is accompanied by comment period that closes March 2, 2020, to receive public feedback and help the FAA develop a final rule to enhance safety in the skies over the U.S.
Please see [FAA Release] for more information.