General aviation is alive and kickin' ...

… despite the topsy-turvey world of fuel prices. Admittedly, the avgas sector is static at best, per discussions with fuel providers. But the jet-A burners are pushing continued growth for GA, evident at the just convened AirVenture -- or ‘Oshkosh’ – hosted annually by the Experimental Aircraft Association. Attendance (625,000) was down some 10 percent … again, those fuel prices. It’s reasonable to account that drop to apprehension on the part of autogas drivers. Yet, 65 countries were represented; 868 media reps; over 2300 show planes and a total of 10,000-plus aircraft on the airfield grounds. Hottest news items: - Cessna’s announcement that it’s looking to the development of a light sport aircraft (LSA) for what has been called the fastest growing sector of general aviation. It’s also the likely future starting point of many pilots. With the increasingly negative news on the industry’s ability to refill the pilot ranks in the future, the LSA segment could become very significant.  - HondaJet is officially here, with the announcement that Honda Motor Company is working on FAA certification and the creation of an alliance with the Piper Aircraft network for distribution. The HondaJet is tied to testing in Greensboro, NC, by Honda of a turbine engine in partnership with GE.  - Eclipse was awarded its provisional Type Certificate for the Eclipse 500 very light jet. Administrator Marion Blakey echoed the thought of many when she told the EAA audience, "What I have in my hand is probably the most significant piece of paper in America today, a piece of paper that will truly change the face of aviation."  - Blakey also reiterated her position that piston aircraft users would not see an increase in user fees, should the current formula for funding the Aviation Trust Fund be altered. A panel of GA associations took the dais to reiterate their opposition to any change in the current funding formula.  Thanks for reading.   jfi