The first Light-Sport Aircraft to enjoy both Chinese and U.S. certification — Triton Aero-Marine’s SkyTrek — made its first sale at SUN ‘n FUN. In addition, Triton has purchased South Lakeland Airport (X49) — just 4.5-miles from SUN ‘n FUN — intending to open a training facility featuring the SkyTrek.
MTOsport 2017 gyroplane debuts
AutoGyro unveiled its newest gyroplane, the MTOsport 2017 at SUN ‘n FUN and across the pond at AERO in Germany. It took just nine months, from first drawing to first production of the MTOsport 2017 gyroplane, according to company officials. The new exterior design provides easier access for the pilot and passenger, officials note. Adjustable […]
Vertical Power’s VP-X to wire LX7
The Vertical Power VP-X Pro System from Astronics Ballard Technology will be standard equipment on all of RDD Enterprises’ LX7s. The LX7 is a conversion of the pressurized Lancair IV series of aircraft. The VP-X is a solid-state power distribution and circuit protection system for experimental and light-sport aircraft. “The LX7 is the pinnacle of […]
Piper loses power on takeoff
The pilot noted no discrepancies during the preflight inspection, engine run-up, or start of the takeoff, however, when the Piper PA-28-140 was about 200 feet above the end of the runway, the engine “coughed,” and the plane began losing altitude. Power was restored briefly, but the engine subsequently quit. The pilot landed the airplane straight ahead and […]
Two new classics
Scot Warren of Warren Aircraft, a dealer based in Texas for WACO Aircraft, sent in this photo, taken at last week’s SUN ‘n FUN, with a brief note: “Two new classics.” WACO was exhibiting next to Harley Davidson of Lakeland, Florida.
The Thunderstorm Threat
By ED BROTAK With the onset of warmer weather, pilots face the increased risk of encountering thunderstorms. Although more common in the warmer months, thunderstorms can occur even in the winter, especially in the southern states. It’s estimated that 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the U.S. each year. Some locations in southwest Florida have 100 storms […]
ADS-B rebates still available
By CLIFTON STROUD, FAA Tens of thousands of general aviation pilots are already enjoying added safety benefits, enhanced situational awareness and more peace of mind from Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) long before the 2020 deadline to equip. To encourage more aircraft owners to equip soon and avoid long waits for installation at repair shops as […]
Name your price
By BOB MACKEY Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just call up any aviation insurance broker and simply tell them how much you want to spend and then they would arrange aircraft insurance for that amount? It would be simple, easy, and you could go on about the more important things in life and […]
Private planes may not be taxed under Trump’s plan to update U.S. airspace
President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser has said that the administration’s proposal to modernize U.S. air traffic control “probably” would not include a tax on general aviation or business aircraft, according to a news story at McClathcyDC.com. “We’re probably not even going to tax general aviation,” Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, was […]