“While I don’t think VR [virtual reality] will ever replace the real thing, it’s a way to attract new people to sport aviation, and allows existing pilots to share the great experience of flying in a light airplane,” said Sebastien Heintz, president of Zenith Aircraft Company, about the release of a new 360° virtual reality video that showcase the Zenith factory and a flight. [Read more…]
CubCrafters adds emergency aircraft parachutes
YAKIMA, Wash. — CubCrafters has introduced new emergency parachute systems for the company’s line of backcountry tailwheel airplanes. The systems were developed in conjunction with BRS Aerospace.
Merlin PSA makes U.S debut
Just introduced to the U.S. is the Merlin PSA, a single-seat Personal Sport Aircraft. [Read more…]
First flight: Aerolab from a kit
LONE ROCK, Wis. and MILAN, Italy — Francesco Rizzi, founder of Aerolab Manufacturing, and designer of the Sport Camp series of Experimental/Amateur-built kit aircraft, and Ed Leineweber, managing member of Golden Age Aeroworks, distributor of Aerolab products in the United States, recently conducted the first flights of the first Aerolab aircraft built from a production kit. [Read more…]
Electric Sun Flyer participates in National Park Service noise tests
DENVER — Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. (AEAC), developer of the Sun Flyer solar electric flight trainer, participated in noise tests for the National Park Service at Centennial Airport Dec. 2 to determine the amount of noise generated by electric-powered aircraft. [Read more…]
Just Aircraft approved in England
WALHALLA, S.C. — Having received authorization from England’s Civil Aviation Authority to market SuperSTOL kits in the UK, Just Aircraft has taken the first step in establishing a global dealer network. [Read more…]
EASA approves mogas for Tecnam P2010
EASA, the European counterpart to the FAA, has approved the use of mogas for all Tecnam P2010 airplanes. [Read more…]
Video: FAA grants Terrafugia exemption for TF-X flight testing
WOBURN, Mass. — The FAA has authorized Terrafugia to operate small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the TF-X configuration for research and development (R&D) purposes.
The TF-X, Terrafugia’s vision for the future of personal transportation, is a four-seat, hybrid electric, semi-autonomous, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flying car. As the TF-X program is currently in the early stages of development, extensive sub-scale flight testing of sUAS, along with wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic simulation, are key to refining the vehicle’s design, according to company officials. [Read more…]
First flight for Rutan’s SkiGull
Popular Science is reporting that Burt Rutan’s latest design, the SkiGull, had its first flight recently. Rutan’s 47th aircraft design, the seaplane’s first flight lasted about two hours. [Read more…]
1,000th RV-9 flies
For days in November, the employees at Van’s Aircraft had been watching the Hobbs meter on the company’s website, waiting for news of the 1,000th RV-9/9A to fly.
On Nov. 20, John “Bert” Bertucci of Prairieville, Louisiana, rang the bell with his new RV-9A. [Read more…]