OSHKOSH — “The only thing that can save aviation is aviating,” stated OpenAirplane co-founder Rod Rakic at a Wednesday AeroInnovate forum at AirVenture. OpenAirplane is, very simply, a program to qualify a pilot to rent a plane from any in-network FBO in the country, without a local checkout. In 2011, general aviation flight hours totaled 26.3 million. Of that, 10.9 […]
SMA signs maintenance agreement with Lycoming
OSHKOSH — The SR305-230E, which powers Cessna‘s new Turbo 182 NXT, will have a 2,400 time before overhaul, with no full power restrictions, company official reported at AirVenture. The engine, capable of burning Jet-A, Jet-A1, TS-1 or No. 3 fuel, will produce its full 230 horsepower up to 10,000 feet and will still produce 180 horsepower […]
Rocket trainer under construction
Black Sky Training (BST) has begun to build its rocket-powered flight trainer. After 6 years in development, BST’s pilot training course for rocket-powered flight has been reviewed by the FAA and is now awaiting the prototype and certification on its way to training student pilots for flight on board a rocket-powered aircraft. George Tyson, CEO of […]
EAA Eagle Flight #1, check
OSHKOSH — Diane Thornton from Dallas was the inaugural passenger in EAA‘s new Eagle Flight program on Tuesday morning at AirVenture. Modeled after the successful Young Eagles program, which has flown more than 1.7 million kids (aged 7-18), Eagle Flight aims to expose adults to flying. Thornton’s Eagle Flight was with EAA President Rod Hightower in his T-6. […]
Able Flight honors newest pilots
OSHKOSH — Able Flight pinned wings on five of its newest pilots at Phillips 66 Plaza on Tuesday at AirVenture. “We’ve trained eight pilots so far in 2012,” said Able Flight founder Charles Stites. “And it’s only July.” All learned to fly at the 3rd annual Able Flight/Purdue University joint training project this summer. Five of the six […]
Fleet nears 1 million flight hours, while Socata debuts enhancements
OSHKOSH — More than 600 single-engine turboprop TBM700 and TBM850 (pictured below) in the global fleet have amassed nearly 1 million flight hours, Daher-Socata‘s Senior Vice President Nicholas Chabbert said Tuesday at AirVenture. In addition to the fleet milestone, officials reported the TBM850 Elite was certified. The Elite, which took just six months of certification work, is […]
RV-1 #1 donated to EAA
OSHKOSH — Richard “Van” VanGrunsven’s first RV-1 was donated to the EAA at a ceremony on Phillips 66 Plaza on Monday at AirVenture. “The RV-1 had a tremendous impact on the industry,” said Rod Hightower, EAA President. “It and subsequent models became the most successful kit aircraft in the country.” The community of Van’s Aircraft […]
Xtreme Decathlon unveiled at Oshkosh
OSHKOSH — Powered by the new 210-horse Lycoming AEIO-390-A1B6, American Champion Aircraft‘s Xtreme Decathlon was unveiled on opening day of AirVenture 2012. Still tagged with an experimental sticker, flight testing will begin immediately following AirVenture. “We expect an October 2012 certification,” stated Jerry Mehlhaff, Jr. The engine is paired with a 76-inch MT Propeller. “We […]
Wipaire debuts LSA float
OSHKOSH — Wipaire rolled out its new Wipline 1450 amphibious float on opening day at AirVenture 2012. The float will be approved under ASTM standards for light-sport aircraft and eventually certified under TSO for CAR 3 and Part 23 installations. “We have invited a number of LSA manufacturers to take a look at the float,” […]