“Hey, you want to meet a WASP?” The answer was a resounding yes from students involved in one of the many Aviation Career Education programs that visited AirVenture. While in the warbird area they had the opportunity to meet WASP Marty Wyall, class of 44-10. “Fly Girl is painted just like the ones we flew […]
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Highlights from AirVenture 2006
From Light Sport Aircraft to Very Light Jets and all that lies between could be found at this year’s AirVenture. On the LSA end of the spectrum more than 30 manufacturers and importers displayed their models on the LSA Mall near AeroShell Square, while the VLJs dominated the exhibit areas surrounding AeroShell Square. For warbird […]
A flying coffin?
During World War II several aircraft were given the nickname The Flying Coffin. American soldiers referred to the CG-4A glider as the Flying Coffin not because it was inherently dangerous, but because several of the 15 companies that built them for Uncle Sam also were coffin manufacturers. The gliders were, after all, mostly made from […]
Long-time GA pilot tells security officials to answer questions
U.S. Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), a long-time general aviation pilot, says the FAA “must justify continuance of the Washington, D.C., ADIZ” before his Environment and Public Works Committee will reauthorize it. Inhofe told a gathering at AirVenture that he has called a Sept. 12 meeting which top FAA, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security […]
Honda has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, named Honda Aircraft Co in North Carolina
Honda has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, named Honda Aircraft Co., which will be responsible for the further development and production of the HondaJet. The new company will be based at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, N.C., where the prototype HondaJet was assembled and flight tests have been carried out for more than three […]
LoPresti Fury to be built in New Mexico
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Curt LoPresti, “but we are delighted to announce that a location for the Fury factory has been selected.” The late Roy LoPresti, whose motto was “Life is short. Fly fast,” designed, engineered and built what he thought was the perfect airplane. He called it the Fury. When the […]
Commander Premier Aircraft Corp formed when 50 Aero Commander owners purchased assets of the bankrupt company
Commander Premier Aircraft Corp., formed last year when 50 Commander owners purchased the assets of the bankrupt company, has opened its factory parts department, which is accepting orders for parts for all models of the single-engine planes. This is the second operation established by the new company at its Cape Girardeau, Mo. facility. In February, […]
Eclipse gets pioneer VLJ certification
“I have what may be the most significant piece of paper in America today,” said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey to Eclipse Aviation President and CEO Vern Raburn at this year’s AirVenture. “It opens the way wide for the next generation in aviation.” That piece of paper was the provisional type certificate for the Eclipse 500. […]
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association announces record-breaking shipment and billing figures
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced record-breaking shipment and billing figures during this year’s AirVenture. In the first half of 2006, shipments totaled 1,843, a 19.1% increase over the same period last year, with industry billings rising 34.9% to $8.8 billion. “This is the highest recorded billings for the first half of a year […]