FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ON LEADED AVGAS
Part of the push to eliminate tetraethyl lead avgas comes for the California-based environmental group Friends of the Earth. They've asked the EPA to examine lead emissions and declare a finding of endangerment as the first step in regulations that would eliminate lead as an octane enhancer. But thus far, FOE has only filed an administrative petition and won't say at this point if it will follow up with a lawsuit to force EPA's hand. The petition has been in place for four years. In this podcast, FOE's Marcie Keever tells AVweb that it's sensitive to economic considerations for aircraft owners and operators, but, ultimately, it can only ask EPA to write the regulations, and it can't negotiate on what amount of lead emissions are acceptable.

Click here to listen. (5.5 MB, 12:00)

ADS-B IN ALASKA: FAA'S FOLLY?
Capstone's safety success in Alaska is often touted in discussions of ADS-B, but Alaskan pilot Jim Gibertoni says this is misleading at best. IFR magazine's Jeff Van West found out why he thinks the system will be useless for GA over much of Alaska.

Click here to listen. (12.2 MB, 13:20)

SWIFT FUEL JUMPING THROUGH THE HOOPS
One of at least two proposed alternatives to 100LL is grinding through the approval process. Swift's Jon Ziulkowski updated AVweb's Russ Niles at AOPA Summit last Friday.

Click here to listen. (5.1 MB, 5:35)

PRO PILOT PLANS TO CHALLENGE TSA IN COURT
Michael Roberts is an ExpressJet pilot who refused to submit himself to a TSA full body scan, or pat down, while on his way to work. His personal decision complicated his relationship with his employer, brought a direct challenge to the authority of the TSA and raised Fourth Amendment issues that Roberts hopes to address in a court of law. AVweb's Glenn Pew caught up with Roberts to hear his story.

Click here to listen. (12.6 MB, 13:46)