It started with Louis Bleriot in 1909. Bleriot, who was essentially an engineer and an auto parts manufacturer, had been interested in aviation for nearly a decade. His fascination with flight nagged at him until he designed his own airplane, built it, and climbed into the pilot’s seat. Of course he didn’t do all this […]
Opinion
All new Paradise City at SUN ’n FUN
After a lengthy delay while various government agencies squabbled about exact plans (gee… sound familiar?), earth is being moved on the grounds of the SUN ’n FUN campus on Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport in Florida, to create an all-new Paradise City. “You’d be amazed at all the activity,” related longtime Paradise City area chairman Dave Piper. […]
The other side of Summit
Picture this: 80 airplanes, more than 400 booths, and hours of seminars in beautiful Palm Springs, Calif. That pretty much sums up this year’s Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Aviation Summit. In the more than 10 years I have been working at General Aviation News, I have been to the annual event many times as […]
Hitting 100…
When talking of success stories in the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) world, consider Pipistrel. “This really important news kind of snuck up on me as a surprise,” observed U.S. representative, Michael Coates, “but I have just noticed that our multi-year cooperation with Pipistrel has resulted in selling our 100th aircraft recently!” According to Pipistrel boss Ivo […]
Nation’s money woes put GA in hot seat
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Money is the name of the game as the President and Congress wrestle over what to do with the massive debt the nation has accumulated and to consider a budget for the coming year. The Democratic-controlled Senate hasn’t passed a budget for three years. The Republican-controlled House has failed to convince the […]
Jubilee Jubilation
LSA market leader Flight Design is beginning to celebrate 25 years in business. To commemorate the occasion, the German company will build a special Jubilee edition of several models in a very limited series of 25 airplanes, adding a personal touch, a unique equipment list, a special two-tone leather interior, including leather instrument panel treatment, […]
Good to go in China
Things are happening in China. “So, what’s new,” you say? “We’ve been hearing about China for months.” Things may move slowly in China but recently Airshow China was held in the southern city of Zhuhai and my colleague, Jan Fridrich was present. He reported that some LSA are displayed including Triton’s Mermaid and SC3D (based […]
The potential of potential
Believe it or not, even the most complex things can ultimately be broken down to a remarkably simple origin. Take your house, for example. While it may seem somewhat ordinary to you, a person who lived in an earlier time would be fascinated by the almost magical qualities of the amenities and gadgets you live […]
Troubles at the top
Even aircraft giants can have problems. Cessna recently issued work orders for more than 200 Skycatchers in an effort that has to cost the big Wichita company well over $300,000*. Can you imagine how that would affect a smaller company without the ability to write a six-figure check? Size has benefits, as those couple hundred […]