The HondaJet made its Oshkosh debut this year, staying at the air show for just three hours. But during those three hours, the jet was surrounded by crowds and even toured by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. Built in North Carolina, the jet has been kept under a veil of secrecy for the past few years. […]
Sport Cub introduced by Cub Crafters
Cub Crafters introduced its new, ready to fly Sport Cub, which made its maiden flight just a week before the show. That same week the company made the first delivery of its certified Top Cub. The company, which started in 1980 rebuilding Super Cubs, holds numerous STCs and aftermarket kits for the venerable Cub.
60th anniversary special edition Mooneys
Mooney Airplane Co. unveiled special 60th anniversary editions of its Ovation2 and Bravo models, which sport distinctive logos and paint designs, as well as Garmin G1000 glass cockpits. Deliveries will begin in early 2006. The Kerrville, Texas-based company, which emerged from bankruptcy just a few years ago, is “running at full throttle,” according to Gretchen […]
SpaceShipOne wows Oshkosh crowds
An estimated 700,000 people attended this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. While the highlight of the week was the arrival on opening day of White Knight and SpaceShipOne, this year’s big show was non-stop, with the Global Flyer making an appearance, as well as the debut of the new HondaJet and the unveiling of many new […]
Tuskegee Airmen’s final mission
The Tuskegee Airmen never lost to enemy fighters any bomber that they escorted during World War II. They take justifiable pride in that fact. During the last year, however, they lost 50 members to age and illness. Although undefeatable by enemy fighters and 1940s prejudice, they decided at their 34th convention in mid-August that it […]
Feds propose permanent ADIZ
Pilots have a chance to comment on a proposal to make the area around the nation’s Capital a permanent “National Defense Airspace.” The permanent ADIZ is the idea of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Alphabet groups are lobbying intensely to fight the proposal. “No general aviation aircraft has […]
Chapel Hill rescued — at least for a year
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must continue to operate Horace Williams Airport (IGX) for the public and Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Medical Air Operations for at least another year, according to the state’s recently-passed budget bill. Meanwhile, the Legislative Research Commission will study the effect the closure of the airport would […]
Eclipse to start deliveries in March 2006
Eclipse Aviation is slated to deliver its first Eclipse 500 in March 2006. “Eclipse is on the verge of becoming a real company,” said CEO Vern Raburn, who explained that a “real” company is one where customers hand over money and the company delivers products. “Until then, you’re playing at being a company.” That first […]
Honoring the Greatest Generation
One of the complaints kids voice about having to learn history from books is how dry it is. If you could interact with it, it might be more interesting, they say. That could be done if you visited the Living History display that graced the warbird area of EAA AirVenture. Just behind the lines of […]