Unveiled only nine months ago, Just Aircraft’s Part 103 unfinished prototype is generating a surprising amount of interest. Overall this seems part of a surge in Part 103 interest, for plenty of good reasons: Greater freedom (no license or registration required), No medical of any kind needed, and The aircraft can be delivered ready-to-fly. The […]
35 years and counting at Rans Aircraft
One of the most celebrated names in light aviation is Rans, a company name that both hinges on and reflects its designer and company boss, Randy Schlitter. Recently this now-familiar producer celebrated 35 years since the initial flight of its first single-seat aircraft. When the company first flew its S3 Coyote I three and a […]
Will you fly the aircraft of the future?
This article may either excite you or annoy you. I understand. I have mixed feelings about a new class of airplanes I don’t understand as well as familiar, legacy ones. Perhaps like you, I’m annoyed because I didn’t foresee this and because these new proposed machines are not my experience over many decades of flight. […]
Let the airshow season begin
The 14th running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo vigorously launched the 2018 season of airshows. The show ran Jan. 24-27, 2018, at Sebring Regional Airport (KSEF). The central Florida airport — directly adjacent to the famous Sebring Raceway — hosts the annual event and lucked out with an opening day of gorgeous weather of […]
Enjoy your freedom to fly in 2018
American pilots are extraordinarily fortunate. We have a freedom to fly that many around the world can barely comprehend, much less enjoy as we do. Yes, I’m well aware many American aviators don’t pay much attention to flying outside U.S. borders. Indeed, around 80% of all general aviation airplanes are located in the USA, also […]
Affordable taildraggers you can fly with little fear
If you’ve shied away from taildraggers as they sound difficult or fearsome, I recommend you learn more about Kolb Aircraft as it has some very affordable taildraggers that you can fly with little fear.
The triumph of LSA
In barely over a decade, Light-Sport Aircraft have had an enormous impact on the world of aviation. Is that too strong a statement? “Where are all these LSA,” you might ask? How on Earth can I justify writing “…had an enormous impact?” Fair questions, all. Let me answer. A quick summary: LSA sell around the […]
Big achievements by a small manufacturer
“It simply won’t work,” say too many pilots. “You cannot run a business making only 50 airplanes a year. To build good, safe airplanes, you must operate a large enterprise.” If you are one of those naysayers, are you sure about that? I write about the world of light aviation, a segment of recreational aircraft […]
Atol triphibian for sky, sea, or snow
To many observers, the development of Light-Sport Aircraft seaplanes is fast-paced, inventive, and intriguing. You may have read about entries from the USA, Europe, or New Zealand. How about Finland? “Finland has 188,000 lakes,” said Anssi Rekula, cofounder and sales director for Atol Avion, producer of the Atol LSA seaplane. “We know the joys of […]