Way over in Paris, a new airplane has arrived — only this Paris is in Tennessee. SLSA #120 Spirit comes from a new company but one whose leader earned his SLSA pedigree gaining four model approvals. That would be Skykits and its STOL variations. All are designs from ICP of Italy (Savannah, plus ADV and […]
Opinion
The girl in the tree
I must confess right off that my interview with pilot Keena Pope wasn’t so much an interview as it was a good, old-fashioned, girl’s day out, get-together and gossip fest. That it was done while she was on the clock and at her boss’s expense made the visit all the more special. Since I know […]
OSH sales report
This year I had easily 30 conversations at AirVenture revealing either outright positive successful results or varyingly robust mood indicators such as, “Looks like aviation has life in it again.” A number of aircraft purveyors said they took cash deposits and wrote firm contracts. I estimate about 30 aircraft sales by this method. Companies like […]
Sales robust at Oshkosh
Oshkosh is over and before it ended many expressed a common thought: We love to go to Oshkosh; and we really love to go home when it’s over. While stated with a somewhat humorous overtone, the truth is that AirVenture is a tough slog for those who work the show. Twelve-hour days are standard and […]
#OSH11 sales good for Kitfox, Wicks
“We expanded our booth this year, increased our inventory, and it sure paid off” said Scott Wicks, owner of Wicks Aircraft Supply of their presence at AirVenture Oshkosh. As a result, “sales were up 60% [measured in dollars] from 2010, which was also a record year.” John McBean from Kitfox Aircraft reported that deliveries for […]
Buyer beware
Please help me! Some of you who know me are probably saying I’ve needed help for years, but this is something even more serious than helping some old guy who’s been in this industry for a long time. I’m asking all of you to do your small part in getting the word out about the […]
FAA shutdown continues strong battle on Capitol Hill
General aviation should not experience many problems resulting from a month-long shutdown of the FAA, as most of our contacts with the government administration are related to flight safety, considered essential. The one area directly affecting flying is in the manufacturing. Twelve of the furloughed FAA individuals are in aircraft certification. A month’s delay should […]
Did you notice the FAA is shutdown?
With the debt crisis averted.. for now, the FAA’s funding status has regained prominence in the mainstream media. However, a series of press releases, news stories and the recently completed EAA AirVenture have me thinking. A July 28 press release from Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) titled, “Facts About FAA Partial Shutdown” includes 17 “facts.” Following […]
In praise of the alphabets
Two of the main alphabet organizations focused on general aviation include the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). They both offer something of real value to each of us who works or recreates in the realm of general aviation. Let’s face it, it’s a tough market out there these days […]