Jay Carter’s FutureFlight-I vehicle looks more like a flying motorcycle than a flying car, but it demonstrated the concept impressively during an April flight from Georgia Tech in Atlanta to Sun ‘n Fun. The three-day flight included stops at two motels and several restaurants, where parking lots served as airports; a Harley-Davidson dealership; the University […]
New Piper: A company in transition
“There are a lot of exciting things happening at Piper,” said CEO Jim Bass at this year’s Sun ‘n Fun. “We’re a company in transition and a company which we think has an incredible amount of potential.” The question on a lot of minds is whether The New Piper Aircraft Co. will build a jet. […]
Mission accomplished
Bruce Bohannon’s Flyin’ Tiger has completed its mission for ExxonMobil Corp. A highly customized RV-4, the Flyin’ Tiger set 30 records in the past seven years under Exxon sponsorship. “The primary purpose of the sponsorship was to increase awareness of Exxon Elite in the general aviation marketplace and demonstrate the quality and reliability of Exxon […]
Socata takes on VLJs
Will Socata survive the arrival of Very Light Jets? “That’s a question we get a lot,” said Stephane Mayer, president of the French aircraft manufacturer, on opening day of Sun ‘n Fun. “But as the order book for the TBM 850 grows, less people are asking that.” While the buzz in the industry is about […]
A new way to share an airplane — or at least a ride
Have you ever had hours tacked on to a trip because you had to go by commercial air carrier? Didn’t you wish you could have hitched a ride with another private pilot who just happened to have the same destination as you? Now it’s possible thanks to PilotShareTheRide.com. Baldy Ivy, a self-described cowboy and pilot, […]
Membership has its privledges
About 53 years ago a group of mechanics at Mohawk Airlines thought it might be fun to learn to fly. Eight men and one woman pooled their money and bought a Piper PA-1. The East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca, N.Y., was born. The flying club started to grow, thanks to members drawn from nearby […]
Do you need a lawyer?
You’ve known your potential airplane partner for the better part of your flying life. Do you really need to get a lawyer involved in the transaction? If you want to be sure your personal assets are protected in the event of an accident, the answer is yes. Some pilots are under the assumption that owning […]
Partner with a pal
When you are looking for a partner to share an airplane, you better know that person fairly well. You’re about to embark on an expensive journey. If your personalities, flying and communication styles don’t mesh, you’re in for a world of hurt. “I wanted someone who is aviation competent, has the money to meet operating […]
First Diamond DA42 flight training device goes to Seattle flight school
Galvin Flying Services, Inc., at King County International Airport /Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle, has taken delivery of the nation’s first Diamond DA42 Twin Star G1000 flight training device. “The FTD is the transition between our G1000 ground school and actual experience in the aircraft,” says Jeremy Wilson, a Galvin spokesman. One of the benefits […]