Flying for a great many people is more about recreation than long-distance travel, so why shell out the money for a plane that’s more a flying minivan when what you really want is a motorcycle? That’s the mindset behind the X-Air Light-Sport Aircraft, a tube-and-fabric, high-wing ready-to-fly design made in Bend, Ore. “This is not […]
Sebring LSA Expo kicks off today
The seventh annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo kicks off today in Sebring, Florida. Known as the premiere event for Light-Sport Aircraft, this year’s theme is “A Salute to Military Veterans.” The Expo, which runs through Sunday, will feature all LSAs that are on the market, as well as other exhibitors, with organizers reporting that all […]
Cessna hits stride with Skycatcher deliveries
Cessna Aircraft Co. officials said today at the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, that it has received more than 60 Skycatcher Light-Sport Aircraft from Shenyang Aircraft Corp. In conjunction with its reassembly site at Yingling Aviation in Wichita, Kan., Cessna has delivered more than 30 Skycatchers. “Our U.S. reassembly facility is receiving […]
IA policy change generates hundreds of comments
The FAA’s proposal to clarify the definition of “actively engaged” for airframe & powerplant mechanics who hold the Inspection Authorization (IA) certificate resulted in 907 public submissions to the docket, according to a report in Aviation International News, which lists a number of comments, including this one: “I believe anyone who has taken the time […]
House Aviation Subcommittee members revealed
U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has named Thomas Petri (R-Wis.) chairman of the House Subcommittee on Aviation. Vice Chair is Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.) “The message from the voters in November was clear. The committee must find ways to create jobs, cut waste in government, and do […]
U-Fuel launches Aviation Fuel Club
U-Fuel of Eau Claire, Wis., a pioneer in self-service fuel stations, has established the Aviation Fuel Club. With roots in founder Mike Webb’s FBO of the 1980s, Oshkosh Aero, the Aviation Fuel Club (AFC), a non-profit organization registered in Wisconsin, seeks to reduce the cost of flying by providing safe, environmentally-friendly fuel and facilities for […]
Circumnavigate South America
Air Journey, a Florida-based company that orchestrates aviation adventures, is preparing to launch a special excursion to circumnavigate the South America continent. The group of private airplanes will take off from Palm Beach, Florida, Feb. 27 and return to the U.S. April 3, 36 days and 13, 600nm later. “This turns out to be one […]
Piper appoints vp-engineering
Piper Aircraft Inc. has named Michael Hinderberger as vice president of engineering, responsible for all Piper engineering and new product development activities. “We welcome Michael Hinderberger to the Piper senior leadership team,” said Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger. “Mike’s experience in the management of aircraft certification programs, production implementation and customer service will serve him and […]
Night air show returns to Oshkosh
The Night Air Show and Fireworks with the “Wall of Fire” will return on Saturday, July 30, to light up the sky on the final evening at EAA AirVenture 2011, slated for July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The inaugural Night Air Show at EAA AirVenture 2010 drew tens of thousands to the […]