What would you ask Ray LaHood

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

EAA called today and because I'll be working for EAA Radio during AirVenture, they asked me if I'd handle an interview with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. I said, "yes," mostly because I get to meet Jeb Burnside of Uncontrolled Air Space fame.

So, what question -- and frame them nicely -- would the RV community ask the cabinet secretary if it had the opportunity?

Which it now does.

[Ron Lee]

Why is the FAA forcing ADS-B Out on the GA community when there are essentially no benefits to GA and all possible benefits are for the FAA and commercial aircraft?

Mucho source info (my input on the NPRM) is here

http://stopads-b.org/ADS.htm

[Geico266]

Why won't they allow Mahindra 1/2 ton clean diesel trucks into this country? They get 30 MPG!

http://www.mahindrana.com/indian-cars-and-trucks.html

[Jaypratt]

Many states seem to discourage GA or private planes.
What could the Federal Gov do to promote not discourage aviation. Look at Idaho, lots of recreactional airports. Texas,, two? Colorado? none that I know of. New Mexico, none.

[BuckWynd]

The Secretary has been very vocal about issues like "green" jet fuel for air carrier operations, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and so on. Could he comment on the future of General Aviation fuel, specifically, where we are with the development of an affordable, reliable replacement for 100LL?

[IowaRV9Dreamer]

Could the DOT take a proactive, pro-GA approach to solving the 100LL fuel problem, rather than letting EPA drive? Proactive means actually funding the solution to the problem, both research, and development, from the lab to the fuel truck.

[sprucemoose]

I'd ask the same question as Dave. But, I'd substitute "solving the 100LL fuel problem" with "aviation security" and swap "EPA" for "TSA."

Or something along those lines. You get the idea.

[N941WR]

Ask him why they are pushing the use of ethanol in our fuel when it has questionable environmental and economic advantages?

It has raised worldwide corn prices which impacts the worlds' poor, possibly has a negative net energy equation (Meaning it takes more energy to produce than you receive from it.), produces less energy than straight gas which means we must burn more of it because our MPG goes down. (Could it be because it actually increases taxes because we have to burn more of the stuff to go the same distance?) It has been documented to damaged cars, boats, airplanes, motorcycles, and lawn equipment, etc.

Heck, just replacing all the damaged lawn equipment has probably done more environmental damage than continued burning of 100LL.

PS. Congrats on getting the interview!

[apkp777]

Besides the obvious fuel supply questions. I would ask him his feelings about his overall impressions of GA as an alternate mode of transportation to the automobile. I'd point out that many of our planes exceed the fuel economy of our autos and with the help of government funding, we could see further improvements. Not to mention the the condition of the highway infrastructure is failing (I told have to tell a Minnesotan that). Does he see the solution to travel being solely an improved Highway Transportation System, or does he have a more comprehensive view, an integrated approach, which includes land, air, sea and space? Don't bring up time travel or anything cooky but there maybe other modes that we not considered. Beam me up Scotty!

[KurtB]

Any chance of dropping the medical certificate requirement for VFR use of common certified aircraft (such as PA-28 and 172's) by private pilots?