If luxury cars can have set-and-forget climate control, why not far more expensive airplanes? That question was raised by the people at The Lancair Co., whose answer was along the lines of “Why, indeed?” As a result, new Columbia 350 and 400 certified Lancairs now can be delivered with that option, a $22,500 add-on. It […]
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NAA names ‘most memorable records’ of 2004
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) recently announced its list of the Most Memorable Records of 2004. The “most memorable” are just a few of the dozens of records set last year and include: – Mike Keenum set a record for piston engine aircraft over a closed circuit of 100 kilometers (62 miles) without payload in […]
A last wish for ‘Memphis Belle’
It has been roughly a year since Col. Robert Morgan, the man who flew the B-17 “Memphis Belle” on 25 missions over Europe, died from complications after a fall. At Sun ‘n Fun in 2004, Col. Morgan had a booth where he signed copies of his book, photographs and artwork inspired by his famous B-17. […]
GA gets electric air conditioning
Northcoast Technologies now has an all-electric air conditioning system for GA aircraft, currently STC’d for three Cessna 182 and two 172 models. Northcoast’s Bob Rutherford says it is “the first all-electric, hermetically sealed, brushless DC air conditioning system” for GA aircraft. Unlike other systems, it does not use an engine-driven compressor – but it does […]
What’s this? A four-place jet for $600K
It’s a four-place, 320 knots (cruise), glass cockpit jet and you’ll pay only $611,628 for it. No, it isn’t one of the new crop of very light jets. In fact, it’s a very old jet in one sense, having been designed in the 1960s. In another sense, though, it is virtually new, says Greg Webster […]
Mooney donates Tiger to Florida AIr Museum
The Florida Air Museum is now home to the one-of-a-kind Mooney Tiger. The aircraft, officially presented to the museum during last month’s Sun ‘n Fun fly-in, joins Mooney’s 1948 M-18L Mite, a single-seat, low-wing monoplane currently on display at the museum. Formerly known as the Mooney Predator, the Tiger was created to compete for the […]
Wright H-1 crash blamed on mechanical failure
The malfunction of propeller counterweights is blamed for the crash of the Wright Hughes H-1B. The airplane, a reproduction of the sleek Howard Hughes racer, was built by a team of mechanics under the guidance of tool manufacturer Jim Wright from Cottage Grove, Ore. The airplane crashed Aug. 4, 2003, while en route from EAA […]
Land near WA airport considered for NASCAR track
The International Speedway Corp. is reportedly eyeing property south of Bremerton International Airport (PWT) in western Washington as a location for a track large enough to host NASCAR events. “We have been on their radar screen since 2003, but they have not made a proposal,” said Terrie Battuello, public information officer for Kitsap County. On […]
FINALLY! First Light Sport Aircraft certified
The age of the Light Sport Aircraft has dawned. Certification for ready to fly models began in the second week of April, just in time for the Sun ‘n Fun fly-in at Lakeland, Fla. The first two airplanes to get the blessing from the FAA are the Czech-built Evektor Sportstar and the German-made Flight Design […]