OSHKOSH — The FAA has granted ICON Aircraft’s petition for exemption to allow an increased takeoff weight for ICON’s A5 amphibious Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The exemption, up to a maximum of 1,680 pounds, would accommodate a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) that enables the A5 to better avoid loss-of-control scenarios due to stall/spins, company officials said […]
Aircraft
Next flight training experiment unveiled: The Redhawk
OSHKOSH — A consortium of companies has come together to test a new option in training aircraft: The Redhawk. The RedHawk is remanufactured from the bare metal of a Cessna 172, with each partner company bringing a component to the whole. These include: Continental‘s fully certified Centurion turbo-diesel engine burning 4.5 gallons per hour of […]
Zlin Cub-S makes Oshkosh debut
The 180-hp Titan Stroker IO-340 powered Zlin Cub-S is coming to the United States as a light-sport aircraft (LSA). SportairUSA, the U.S. distributor for aircraft manufactured by Zlin Aviation, will display the Cub-S in Oshkosh this week during AirVenture. With its power-to-empty weight ratio of 4.74 lbs/hp (7.33 lbs at MTOW), the Cub-S climbs at […]
Students who built Sportsmans to be featured at Oshkosh
The winners of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Build A Plane Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) aviation design challenge competition are attending this week’s AirVenture, along with the two Glasair Sportsman aircraft they helped build at Glasair Aviation in Arlington, Washington. The planes will be featured at the GAMA/Build A Plane exhibit […]
Mooney celebrates 60th anniversary of M20 at Oshkosh
The Mooney Aviation Co. will celebrate the 60-year anniversary of when Mooney began to manufacture its M20 fleet of airplanes at this week’s AirVenture. “This is an historic time for Mooney and being present at AirVenture is an opportunity to celebrate with our loyal Mooney owners. We want to remind them that we are actively […]
SkyCraft begins taking deposits
OREM, UTah — On July 29, SkyCraft will begin accepting deposits for the SD-1 Minisport through the website’s Buy-A-Plane page. There are currently 14 pre-orders, filling production slots until summer of 2014, company officials report, adding SkyCraft is able to fill 26 more orders in the 2014 calendar year. Production on the SD-1 Minisport has […]
Production engineering begins on SeaDragon Gen2
Independent Aircraft has begun production engineering of an all composite amphibious light-sport aircraft (LSA) called the SeaDragon Gen2. The original proof-of-concept, the SeaDragon, was accredited in Jane’s “All the Worlds Aircraft” for being the first all composite amphib specifically designed for the LSA category. “We have kept our head down, flying under the radar while […]
Mission Aviation Fellowship and Aerocet put new KODIAK floats to the test
NAMPA, Idaho — Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has teamed with Aerocet to help the float manufacturer bring its new KODIAK floats to market. “MAF and Aerocet have had a close relationship for many years,” said John Boyd, MAF president and CEO. “They have donated floats to support our ministry work and provided discounts on cargo […]
First electric flight for Erik Lindbergh
When a leading proponent of a fresh idea, in this case airplanes powered by electric motors, finally has a chance to use the technology it can significantly heighten his motivation. Such was the case when Erik Lindbergh took the opportunity to fly GreenWing International’s pure-electric eSpyder. About his first flight in electric aircraft Lindbergh observed, […]