After 80 years in the airplane manufacturing business, the Cessna Aircraft Co. knows a thing or two about aircraft design development. For starters, it’s easier to develop a jet using wind tunnel tests. When it comes to piston-powered airplanes, however, you have to build a proof-of-concept model and get it in the air, says Cessna […]
Fighting fires with the FireBoss
What do you get when you combine an aircraft created specifically for agricultural work and amphibious floats designed specifically for firefighting operations? You get the FireBoss, which may be the most efficient firefighting aircraft in use today, or so says Charlie Wiplinger, director of research and development for FireBoss LLC. “We built the FireBoss based […]
Lose the light: A move to drop Light from Light Sport Aircraft
Sometimes it’s not so much the concept you are trying to sell as much as its presentation. That’s why some in the Light Sport Aircraft community want to drop the word “Light” from the description. One of the leaders of the movement is Michael Meirer, co-CEO of Remos Aircraft from Pasewalk, Germany. According to Meirer, […]
American Legend certifies its Cub for operation on skis: Also adds BRS parachute as option
American Legend Aircraft Co. has received approval for its Cub to operate on skis. “A ski-equipped Legend Cub provides owners the opportunity for snow and ice landings, and scenic wintertime flying,” company officials said. “A wheeled version of a Legend Cub is simply not enough for some owners.” Shortly after certifying its Legend Cub, the […]
Commemorative Air Force makres 50th anniversary
The Commemorative Air Force will celebrate its 50-year anniversary with a National Patriotic Rally, set for July 9-11, in Las Vegas. Keynote speaker is Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, a combat-decorated Marine and the host of “War Stories” on the Fox News Channel. Also on the schedule is Keni Thomas, who is a military analyst […]
Astronaut Wally Schirra dies at 84
Wally Schirra’s death on May 3 leaves only John Glenn and Scott Carpenter still living from the original seven Mercury astronauts. Navy Capt. Walter M. Schirra Jr., who was 84, died of a heart attack at La Jolla, Calif. He also had cancer. Schirra was the third American to orbit Earth and the fifth in […]
Eclipse Aviation recieves Production Certificate
Eclipse Aviation has received its Production Certificate from the FAA. The Albuquerque-based company produces the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet. A production certificate allows a company to manufacture aircraft with an FAA-approved type design, and is only granted when the FAA has determined that manufacturing processes and inspection systems comply with all federal regulations. Eclipse […]
Carbon Cub debuts in Alaska
The 220-hp Carbon Cub made its debut earlier this month at the Alaska State Aviation Trade Show and Conference. The Carbon Cub is a proof-of-concept platform from CubCrafters, boasting a host of new airframe construction materials, performance options, design improvements, and much more powerful engine options, according to officials with the Yakima, Wash.-based company, who […]
FAQ: Fly-in folks have lots of questions
As usual, the front-line folks at the General Aviation News booth at Sun ‘n Fun spent a lot of time handing out copies of our publication. But Mary Lou and Dave Sclair, retired co-publishers, also spent a lot of time answering questions from fly-in attendees. A lot of the questions were the standard “how can […]