Sadler Aircraft Co. unveiled its next-generation Vampire LSA at Airventure 2009. “We’re really excited to go from R&D to delivering airplanes,” said David Littlejohn, vice president of the Roseburg, Ore.-based company. The Vampire is built on a scaled-back air-to-ground fighter plane airframe. The prop, engine and twin tail-booms are behind the cockpit. The wings double-fold […]
New life for Eclipse
A South Carolina entrepreneur is leading a group that is bidding $40 million to buy bankrupt Eclipse Aviation. According to a story by John McDermott in the Charleston Post and Courier, Mason Holland Jr. is “looking to turn a stinging loss on an aircraft deal into a high-flying gain.” Eclipse Aerospace Inc. hopes to finalize […]
Recession eating into GA businesses
For more than six decades, the Hinson family has operated an aviation company in the Baltimore area. They have weathered various recessions, including the current one. According to a recent story at Maryland Community Newspapers Online, the current downturn is buffeting Maryland’s airports, both large and small, and the businesses that operate out of them […]
Solo at 16
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, was a big day for Tobie Stamsta, of Hartford, Wisconsin. According to a story at EAA.org, not only was it her 16th birthday, but she also made her first solo flight — as well as passed her driver’s test. Read her story here.
Air Academies score high
More than 50 middle school and high school students have attended one of several dozen Air Academies hosted by the Wathen Foundation at Flabob Airport in Southern California. As part of their experiences, the students have learned about aviation weather from a former astronaut, about history from a pilot who participated in the Berlin Airlift, […]
Mooney Acclaim takes top prize in air race
A Mooney Acclaim took first prize in Category C of the Ultimate Challenge Air Race held Aug. 15 in South Africa. The Mooney, piloted by Patrick Hanly and owned and navigated by Frikkie Greefe, flew the 297.32 nm course in 1:30:44. Other aircraft in the category included Cirrus SR22s and Beech Bonanzas. “The idea behind […]
NAFI unveils group membership
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has unveiled the new NAFI Group Membership, aimed at providing benefits to flight training providers. NAFI developed this program to meet the needs of businesses and academic institutions that provide flight training to help their flight instructors stay in contact with current trends in the flight instruction industry, […]
Global Sim releases backcountry scenery
Global Sim has released its Idaho Backcountry Scenery Package. Airports included in this package are: Fish Lake USFS (S92), Indian Creek USFS (S81), Big Creek (U60) and Johnson Creek (3U2). Scenery includes lakes, rivers, and runways, as well as planes, cars, and campsites. For more information: FSPilotshop.com
PilotMall.com launches apparel line
PilotMall.com Aviation Superstore has launched a new line of men’s and women’s aviation apparel. The new line consists of eight aviation designs created exclusively for PilotMall.com with pilots in mind — and are only available for purchase on the company’s website. For more information: Pilotmall.com