INHOFE — BROAD POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR PILOT'S BILL OF RIGHTS

Sen. James Inhofe told AVweb this week that his recently introduced bill to give pilots a fairer shake when confronted with an FAA enforcement action is already enjoying wide support in the U.S. Senate, with some 25 co-sponsors and the possibility of more. (Click through for a full list of the co-sponsors.) Moreover, says Inhofe, on the House side, aviation caucus chairman Sam Graves may also consider a House version of the bill — although he hasn't done so yet, according to spokesman Jason Klindt.

In this detailed podcast, Inhofe explained that not only will his bill give pilots access to more information sooner when faced with an FAA enforcement case, but it will also require the FAA to investigate the NOTAMs system and to consider recommendations from an advisory panel consisting of pilots and airspace users. Inhofe told us that a significant complaint in enforcement appeals is that the NTSB follows procedural deference and rarely overturns an FAA decision. His bill, if passed, would allow a pilot to file an appeal directly with a district court, bypassing the NTSB.

Although Inhofe told us his own recent enforcement case didn't prompt his bill, he says he learned from the experience. Recall that last fall Inhofe landed his Cessna 340 on a closed runway in Port Isabel, Texas, prompting angry complaints from a work crew doing repairs on the runway. Following the incident, Inhofe was quoted as saying that "no one checks NOTAMS," but he now insists that he did check prior to the flight and that no NOTAM for the closed runway was in the system. When asked about the closed runway marking and the presence of clearly visible work crews, Inhofe said when we realized the crews were on the runway, he was already committed to land and couldn't execute a go-around. In lieu of certificate suspension, Inhofe was directed by the FAA to undergo additional training.

Click here to listen. (7.6 MB, 16:31)

CALIFORNIA GETS MOGAS OPTIONS

Would more pilots use mogas if it were available? A new company in California called Clear Gas is betting on it. Launched by Adam Debard and two partners, Clear Gas will ship in non-ethanol premimum gas from sources outside the state and distribute to airports, recreational outlets and marinas. Debard told us the company is looking at ways to ship and deliver volumes as small as 55-gallon drums to owners who want it. For a full rundown on Clear Gas's plans, check out this podcast with Adam Debard.

Click here to listen. (7.6 MB, 8:20)

NATA ON THE CALIFORNIA AVGAS LAWSUIT
California FBOs and suppliers are facing a legal threat to shut down small GA in the state in order to save people from the lead in avgas. But the details of the case might suggest the effort does not represent all of the suit's motives. AVweb's Glenn Pew spoke with NATA's Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs, Eric Byer, and Andy Steinberg, NATA's attorney on the case, to learn more.

Click here to listen. (15.8 MB, 17:15)

LT. ROB KURRLE JR., BLUE ANGEL NO. 4
As they prepared to fly just their second show since a forced hiatus after their commander stepped down from the team, U.S. Navy Lt. Rob Kurrle Jr. took a few minutes to talk with AVweb's Mary Grady (on a windy ramp) about how the F/A-18 Hornet handles and how the Blue Angels pilots mitigate risks. The team flew to capacity crowds in June at the annual National Guard Air Show in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Click here to listen. (8.4 MB, 9:11)

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON AIRPLANES
Alaska Airlines is putting iPads in the cockpits their airplanes, even as ABC News has released a report highlighting their disruptive potential to airplane avionics. What's the real story on portable electronic devices and aviation equipment? AVweb's Glenn Pew asked Dave Carson, who co-chaired a federal advisory committee on PED safety, to walk us through the finer points.

Click here to listen. (14.6 MB, 15:58)