Private Pilots Hit By 100LL Prices

While airlines can pass along their costs to customers, the private pilot has no place to turn but his (or her) own bank account. Luckily, many small aircraft actually get better “mileage” than some of the SUVs on the road. And the cash-crunched flyer has more and more options, as promoters of Light Sport Aircraft are pushing their low operating costs as an enticement to both new and seasoned flyers. A report posted yesterday at Airnav.com showed the average price nationwide for 100LL avgas was $3.95 a gallon, but prices ranged from $2.50 to $6.73. The cheapest region was the Central U.S., averaging $3.71, and highest were Alaska and New England, averaging well above $4 a gallon. The highest price, at $6.73, was at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.