But I only have 20 bucks

[Berkut]

Less liability for manufacturers.

 

[BenWlson]

You can always find an STC to use avgas in most ga planes now! The flight school that I used to instruct at did.

Every auto gas STC I've ever seen does not permit for the use of any gas containing ethanol. I haven't seen a gas pump in years that didn't say 10% ethanol now. There are a FEW airports that have a pump onsite with ethanol free auto gas, but good luck making a cross-country out of them.

 

[esa17]

Less liability for manufacturers.

Thats a social problem, not a legislative problem. If people weren't so sue happy then this wouldn't be an issue. Beyond the liability you have the "aviation inflation". Some parts could easily be purchased at Auto zone for less than $200 but to be installed on an airplane it must be an "approved" part which means the price just jumped to $800. Same part, same quality inspections but a different data platen which means foolishly higher cost.

 

[Berkut]

Thats a social problem, not a legislative problem.

It's a social problem that could be reduced through legislation, just as it was in 1994. Of course, the ideal thing would be people assuming more personal responsibility and not being so sue-happy.

Same part, same quality inspections but a different data platen which means foolishly higher cost.

Much of that can be traced to liability costs as well. Check out this press release from November 2007: http://www.amtonline.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=4679

Supply and demand plays a huge role as well. Marine parts don't have to be approved and inspected, but they are a lot more expensive than automotive.

I haven't seen a gas pump in years that didn't say 10% ethanol now.

That must be a regional thing, since I can't recall the last time I saw 10% ethanol here. In any case, the technical problems of operating a recip aircraft engine on ethanol aren't insurmountable, not by a long shot. There have been experimentals burning it for years.