There was a particularly compelling event at AirVenture this year. One I wish I had been there to see. Sadly, I was unable to attend. But that puts me in the same boat with many thousands of aviation enthusiasts. I was interested, but from afar. I was motivated, but constrained by circumstance. In short, I was somewhere else and I missed it.
The event I allude to is the Cubs 2 Oshkosh mass fly-in. [Read more...]
OSHKOSH — On Wednesday morning at AirVenture, the heads of general aviation’s top alphabet groups met to discuss how they are “stronger together.”
Speaking to a crowd at the EAA Welcome Center during AirVenture, EAA President Rod Hightower said, “this group of people does a tremendous amount of work to protect our freedom to fly.”
Joining Hightower on the stage was Ed Bolen of the National Business Aviation Association, Craig Fuller of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Pete Bunce of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Matt Zuccaro of the Helicopter Association International, and Henry Ogrodzinski of the National Association of State Aviation Officials. Each took a few minutes to talk about the top issues affecting their members, covering everything from TFRs during the presidential campaign to how to increase the pilot population.
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.
OSHKOSH — Flightcom debuted four new general aviation headsets in its Denali line at AirVenture. The new headsets replace the original Denali series and include two active noise reduction (ANR) models.
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.”
[Read more...]
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. [Read more...]
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.
I have several targets on my radar for follow-up at this year’s AirVenture, which kicks off tomorrow, July 23. Here’s a beforehand review; details will follow.
LSA seaplanes will generate plenty of interest, [Read more...]
Amidst this year’s airshow season and continuing extreme/destructive weather, I wonder if aviation events are fully prepared. The National Weather Service’s Storm Ready program can help event organizers minimize weather catastrophes like 2011’s SUN ’n FUN tornado or the multi-fatality Indiana State Fair stage collapse. But how many fly-ins and airshows are so prepared?
Team RV, the world’s largest formation aerobatic team, will perform for aviation fans from around the globe at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. This is the team’s first appearance at the big show. with performances on opening day, Monday, July 23, and Wednesday, July 25.
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