The airframe may look familiar, but the name has changed. The aircraft kit manufacturer formerly known as Four Winds has returned under the name of VX Aerospace. “We took over the company in December,” explains VX Aerospace CEO Robert Skillin. The company is now based at Morganton-Lenoir Airport in North Carolina. The four-place aircraft, which […]
Around the clock repairs for Sun ‘n Fun’s sweepstakes plane
The good news is that for the first time ever Sun ‘n Fun has a sweepstakes airplane. For $5 a ticket you can buy a chance to win an American Flyer, a high-wing Light Sport Aircraft that made its debut at the April air show. The bad news is that on the way to the […]
Living the dream: Our reporter flies a DC-3
“If this is a dream, please, oh please, don’t let me wake up yet!” That was my mantra the morning of Thursday, April 19. It was the morning that a dream I’ve had since childhood came true. It was the dream of flying a DC-3. I was the left-seat pilot that morning for a flight […]
It really does take a village
For those who decry the evils of television and its questionable influence on our kids’ lives these days, get ready for a change of perspective. The devil’s workshop brought heaven to a bunch of kids – and parents – in Nigeria. During Sun ‘n Fun, Lyn Freeman, head of Build A Plane, shared the story […]
Mooney concentrates on bottom line
The new president of Mooney came to his first Sun ‘n Fun with one message: He’s committed to making sure the company’s bottom line remains strong. “A strong company financially is going to stay around a long time,” said Dennis Ferguson. Expected to bolster Mooney’s bottom line is the Acclaim, which was introduced at Sun […]
The Texas Sport debuts
Texas Sport Aircraft Co. introduced the Texas Sport at this year’s Sun ‘n Fun. The factory-new aircraft kit intended for amateur builders is from the same people behind American Legend Cub. The Texas Sport is similar in appearance to the Piper Cub utilizing a J-3 wing design, PA-11 struts, and outboard wing attachments like the […]
Sun ‘n Fun unveils new logo
After more than 30 years, Sun ‘n Fun has a new logo. The traditional logo with the biplane has been replaced by a logo that incorporates a single-engine, low-wing airplane flying across a setting sun. There’s also a palm tree and the words Lakeland, Florida, “to remind people why Sun ‘n Fun is such a […]
Buying a plane?
The National Aircraft Appraisers Association (NAAA) has launched a new program that qualifies select members to provide an Aircraft Buyer’s Agent Service. The service is designed to provide prospective buyers with an unbiased resource to help them with all phases of purchasing an aircraft, from understanding specific needs and identifying aircraft that meet these needs […]
Martin Mars to keep on fighting fires
An effort by museums in Maryland and British Columbia to preserve the two remaining Martin Mars flying boats has failed. The Martin plant at Middle River, Maryland, is where the huge aircraft were built – four of them, originally – as World War II Navy transports. The Glenn L. Martin Museum there had hoped to […]