As a 30-year pilot flying small, leaded-gas-burning airplanes, I have an insight to share with the aviation community. We have watched as the work to remove lead from aviation fuel has progressed oh-so-slowly. But it looks like we have a workable solution now (Check 6 "Podcast: Power Progress-New Engine Technologies Update," Oct. 13). My family and I are exposed to this more than anyone, by the way, so it's really important to me. I expect the process of removing lead will take 8-10 years. During this time, we will see the development and wide availability of affordable electric motors and the batteries that drive them as a wholesale replacement of gasoline as an aviation fuel. Within 10 years, we will have batteries that can duplicate the performance of gas-powered small aircraft.
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