DAYTON, Ohio — Wright “B” Flyer Inc. has received another major gift to fund a new flying lookalike of the Wright brothers’ first production airplane. The new Wright Model B lookalike will replace Wright “B” Flyer No. 1, also known as the “Brown Bird” or “Iron Bird,” which has been flying since 1982. The new […]
Aircraft
First flight: Belite Sealite
Belite’s James Wiebe recently flew the Belite Sealite amphibious ultralight off the water for the first time. “Even with difficult conditions for a seaplane — light winds, 90+ temps, 3,800 foot density altitude — it performed really well,” he reported. “The Sealite took around 20 seconds (maybe a little less) to get airborne off the water. Of […]
Belite’s Sealite gets wet
Belite Aircraft founder James Wiebe flew the new Sealite Amphibious ultralight off the water on Wednesday. He also landed safely. Not once, but five times.
Garmin autopilot OK’d for Quest KODIAK
Quest Aircraft Co. has received final approval from the FAA for the integration of the Garmin GFC 700 Automatic Fight Control System (AFCS) in the KODIAK. The GFC 700 is an attitude-based autopilot that integrates with the G1000 avionics systems, company officials said. Deliveries of KODIAKs equipped with the Garmin GFC 700 will begin in the […]
SportAir launches Name This Plane contest
SportairUSA, the U.S. distributor of Savage Cub-S, Cub, Cruiser and Classic aircraft, has launched a contest to rename the Savage Cub-S. The airplane is manufactured in Europe and sold world-wide as the Savage Cub-S. The light-sport aircraft is a callback to the original Piper Super Cub, according to company officials. The plan features a 180-hp Titan Stroker engine, Alaskan Bushwheels […]
Piper M-Class approved by China
VERO BEACH, Fla. — Piper Aircraft has received a Validation of Type Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for its M-Class single-engine aircraft. The Piper M-Class series consists of the turboprop Piper Meridian, the pressurized piston-powered Piper Mirage and the unpressurized piston-powered Piper Matrix. “CAAC’s approval of the Piper M-Class series is […]
Belite inks Canadian distribution agreeement
Belite Aircraft reports that Melody Aircraft, of Alberta, Canada, will exclusively distribute Belite’s aircraft and kits throughout Canada. “In order to meet the needs of the Canadian market, we’re upgrading our ProCub Lite model with a gross weight increase to 285KG (625 pounds), a larger 10 gallon fuel tank and a four stroke engine,” said James […]
Pipistrel’s new electric trainer makes first flight
WATTsUP, Pipistrel’s new two-seat electric trainer took its maiden flight Aug. 22. WATTsUP was developed in partnership with Siemens AG, which provided the electric main propulsion components. According to Pipistrel officials, every element of the aircraft has been refined to be lighter, more efficient and more reliable. The 85 kW electric motor weighs 14kg, while the 17 […]
Hartzell Trailblazer prop approved for Husky
Hartzell Propeller has received Supplemental Type Certificate approval from the FAA for installation of the company’s new Swept-Tip Trailblazer propellers on all Aviat Husky utility aircraft. The two-blade, 80-inch diameter next-generation advanced structural composite Hartzell Trailblazer swept-tip prop can now replace Hartzell’s aluminum constant-speed propeller which comes standard on the latest Husky models. “At Hartzell Propeller […]