Learn to Fly for Free Contest takes off

South Carolina’s Greenville Downtown Airport, Airwolf Aviation Services, and Greenville Jet Center have joined forces with Greenville Business Magazine to give away a flight training package.

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New amphib in the works from Privateer Industries

The “first new amphibian design in 60 years” is how John Meekins, the energetic president of Privateer Industries, bills the Privateer.

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Flying the Alto 100

While Sebring 2012 crowds were the best ever and plentiful aircraft made for good shopping resulting in a flurry of sales, one of the best aspects of Sebring 2012 was ideal weather. Numerous pilots experienced some of their final choices before handing over the cash. Such perfect conditions also allowed reporters to get in on the action. More detailed reports will follow but now I am pleased to offer a mini-report on the Alto 100.

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Do fuel prices affect hours flown?

Does the price we pay for fuel have a direct influence on how much we operate our airplanes, cars, and boats? According to an article that appeared in the EAA’s November 2011 issue of Sport Aviation (“My $.02 on $6 Avgas”), the price of avgas is less important than one might think.

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Rutan, Lacy featured at NARA meeting

The National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) will hold its Spring membership meeting on Thursday, March 29, and Friday, March 30, in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to association business and networking, attendees will have the opportunity to hear three speakers, including Dick Rutan and Clay Lacy.

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Motorcycles take flight

MotoPOD has developed a motorcycle loading system for Piper PA-32/34 series airplanes. A patent-pending collection of ramps and fixtures allows the pilot to load and secure a street-legal motorcycle while a built-in winch system, powered by a cordless drill, does all the work.

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Adventure Pilot releases iFly 720 GPS

Adventure Pilot is now shipping its new premium GPS navigation device for general aviation pilots. The new iFly 720 builds on popular features from the iFly 700, while new features include sunlight readability, automated Wi-Fi updating and iFly Streets.

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Blackhawk-upgraded Caravan transports leopards

A newly upgraded Cessna 208B Grand Caravan recently completed an unusual first mission that contributed to the preservation of one of Africa’s most beautiful animal species.

Just two weeks after its delivery, the Caravan — the first in Africa to operate with the Blackhawk XP42A performance upgrade package — was used to move a male and female leopard on a 600-mile flight from the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa’s Kruger National Park to the Majete Wildlife Preserve in Malawi.

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Weep No More

Paul Beck is an expert at stopping leaks in wing tanks

There is no shortage of unusual businesses serving the general aviation industry, but sealing wing tanks for a living must be on everyone’s short list. That’s because it’s so difficult since our tanks are sealed inside the wings and the access ports are made for Cirque du Soleil performers.

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Flying the Allegro

LSA America builds the Czech-designed Allegro in America as one of the first companies (but not the last, I suspect) to cross the Atlantic. Ironically, this results in an aircraft less expensive than other LSAs that come from Eastern European countries where we once thought low wages and high aviation skills would upset U.S. airplane manufacturing. Funny how life works out, and in only six or seven years.

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