You can take the Kitfox, the popular, sporty, highwing experimental aircraft, off the endangered species list. John and Debra McBean, former SkyStar employees and owners of Sport Plane LLC, an Idaho-based builder’s assist center, have purchased the assets of SkyStar Aircraft Corp., the makers of the Kitfox. SkyStar declared bankruptcy in October 2005, leaving hundreds […]
News
It’s a flying motorcycle — really
Futurists have been writing about flying cars for at least 70 years. Larry Neal has been working on one for 12 years and his first version – the Super Sky Cycle – went on sale at Sun ‘n Fun in April. It is the first time in history that a truly roadworthy aircraft – one […]
Diamond to install AmSafe restraints
Diamond Aircraft will install AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraints (AAIR) on board its new DA40 Diamond Star and DA42 Twin Star aircraft. The AAIR, an airbag designed, engineered, tested and certified exclusively for aviation, will be standard equipment for pilot and co-pilot seats, and optional equipment on the rear seats.
Inverted V-Tail LSA proof of concept flies
Last year at Sun ‘n Fun Joe and Chris Gagliano, a father-son aerospace design team from Titusville, Fla., unveiled their design for a pusher prop inverted V-tail Light Sport Aircraft. This year they returned to report the proof of concept model has flown, and quite successfully. “The proof of concept model is a full-sized aircraft,” […]
Essays for Extra
Extra Aircraft is celebrating is 25th anniversary this year, with celebrations that began at Sun ‘n Fun. As part of the anniversary celebrations, the company is sponsoring an essay contest for owners. The theme: “Why I Love My Extra.” Owners need to tell their story in 100 words or less. Essays will be judged by […]
The best of times, the worst of times…
Flying yourself to a show like Sun ‘n Fun is always exciting, but it was especially poignant for Herb Rose from Sacramento, Pa. Rose, 49, has been flying for just two years. He spent a year restoring a 1959 Cessna 150. This year he proudly flew the orange and white Cessna to the Lakeland aviation […]
Seawind ready to deliver
Seawind is on a smooth road to certification, according to CEO Dick Silva, who said the company is prepared to deliver 20 certified Seawind amphibians in the first year of production and 60 in the second year. The company had 70 orders on the books when Sun ‘n Fun opened. The Seawind is powered by […]
Washington’s Evergreen Airport sold
The Olson family, owners of Evergreen Airport (59S) in Vancouver, Wash., have sold the airport to a developer, Opus Northwest LLC. A closing date has been set for mid-July. The airport, which has been for sale since June 2001, is within three nautical miles of Portland International Airport (PDX). It was known for its tailwheel […]
Houston Executive under construction
An airport under construction near Houston, Texas, already has a new name: Houston Executive Airport. Previously called South Waller County Airport, the facility is being built between Katy and Brookshire on 1,980 acres. The airport is slated to open next year.