After finally deciding on where to build the Fury, the folks at LoPresti Speed Mods have a lot to celebrate — and they can in this prototype, which says it all. The Fury, designed by the late Roy LoPresti, whose motto was “Life is short. Fly fast,” is a high-performance airplane that can carry two […]
What’s in a name?
Some airplanes borrow their names from legendary heroes in Greek mythology, such as Hercules or Titan. The Xenos, a kit manufactured by Sonex Aircraft, is not one of them, although the name makes you wonder. Xenos is the male version of Xena who, at least on television and in the realm of sci-fi and fantasy […]
Micco Aircraft back in business
A new Micco Aircraft Co. is back in business and there are some familiar faces at the new company. Dewitt Beckett, who ran the original Micco Aircraft in Florida from 1996 to 2002, has entered into an agreement to acquire the type certificate, tooling, fixtures and inventory for the Micco SP26 aerobatic sport aircraft. The […]
Air Georgia takes off
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has launched AirGeorgia, an airport infrastructure improvement program aimed at rural GA airports across the Peach State. Perdue, a pilot who owns a Bellanca, is a staunch supporter of aviation. His latest effort is a financing program aimed at completing critical infrastruture improvements necessary to upgrade many of Georgia’s rural GA […]
Can your airplane save your life?
Could your airplane save your life? Long-time test pilot Jim Stewart is convinced the design of the prototype Sport-Jet, a composite and aluminum four-place single-engine jet, saved his life. The prototype crashed June 22 on takeoff from Colorado Springs Airport. Preliminary reports from the NTSB point to wake turbulence as the cause of the accident. […]
Has saving lives become old hat?
Have deployments of whole-airplane parachutes become old hat? That’s what Larry Williams, president of Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS), a leader in the industry, is wondering. The company just learned about saves 189 and 190 a few months ago. Good news to report, right? Except company officials were a little puzzled about how to report the […]
Is your life worth $500?
Back in 1996, Ash Vij was a student pilot on a solo flight, heading his Cessna 172 to the practice area. But something just didn’t feel right. “I started feeling uncomfortable,” he remembers. “So I turned around and headed back to the airport.”After landing, he took the plane to the mechanic. “It was due for […]
Airplane airbags: A no-brainer?
Adding airbags to your airplane is really a no-brainer. So says Yvonne Tillyer, director of sales for AmSafe Aviation, which produces seat belts and inflatable restraints for GA, commercial and military customers. “The technology is there for our cars, so why wouldn’t you want it in your airplane?” she asks. “It should be standard practice […]
How about this? “Buy a Plane, Get a Car”
Comp Air Inc. announced Aug. 28 that it would give away new Chevy Aveos to buyers of selected models of its airplanes.The first taker called three days later, according to Ron Lueck, owner of the Merritt Island, Fla.-based company. “He called from Miami and said he wanted to be the first,” Lueck said, “and he […]