WASHINGTON, D.C. — Having the world’s leading general aviation company make a strong commitment to using turbodiesel engines is a “welcome and major step in the continued recognition of the many benefits of diesel technology,” according to Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. “Cessna’s new 182 NXT turbodiesel engine is being described […]
Aircraft
Turbine-powered Zenith CH 701 at AirVenture
OSHKOSH — Showcased at the Zenith Aircraft exhibit at this week’s AirVenture is a scratch-built Zenith CH 701 that has a jet fuel starter from an A-7 Corsair hanging out front. I asked co-builder Scott Ehni, “Why?” “Well, I have an idea for a new airplane, and I wanted to get some building experience before I start […]
Zenith Engine Day at AirVenture
OSHKOSH — “I don’t know anything about engines,” said Zenith Aircraft‘s Sebastien Heintz. “That’s why I asked a bunch of engine folks to our exhibit space at AirVenture.” At Thursday’s Zenith Engine Day, visitors could see and talk about the Revmaster, Rotax, Viking, ULPower, Jabiru, and Corvair engines. The crowded display spoke to the event’s success. “I’m convinced this is a good idea,” continued […]
The only thing that can save aviation is…
OSHKOSH — “The only thing that can save aviation is aviating,” stated OpenAirplane co-founder Rod Rakic at a Wednesday AeroInnovate forum at AirVenture. OpenAirplane is, very simply, a program to qualify a pilot to rent a plane from any in-network FBO in the country, without a local checkout. In 2011, general aviation flight hours totaled 26.3 million. Of that, 10.9 […]
ArrowCopter makes its US debut
OSHKOSH — ArrowCopter USA introduced the ArrowCopter AC10 kit to the US market Wednesday at AirVenture. The AC10 is the kit version of the two-place, tandem, AC20 ArrowCopter autogyro manufactured by FD Composites in Austria. Design and development work on the ArrowCopter began more than six years ago, company officials said. The goal was to […]
Cessna launches Caravan ProAdvantage program
OSHKOSH — Cessna reported at AirVenture that it has extended its ProAdvantage programs to its current production Cessna Caravan product line, including the newly announced Cessna Grand Caravan EX. The ProAdvantage is a group of programs designed to help customers manage their long-term costs for maintenance coverage. The programs offer simplified billing processes based on […]
SMA signs maintenance agreement with Lycoming
OSHKOSH — The SR305-230E, which powers Cessna‘s new Turbo 182 NXT, will have a 2,400 time before overhaul, with no full power restrictions, company official reported at AirVenture. The engine, capable of burning Jet-A, Jet-A1, TS-1 or No. 3 fuel, will produce its full 230 horsepower up to 10,000 feet and will still produce 180 horsepower […]
Rocket trainer under construction
Black Sky Training (BST) has begun to build its rocket-powered flight trainer. After 6 years in development, BST’s pilot training course for rocket-powered flight has been reviewed by the FAA and is now awaiting the prototype and certification on its way to training student pilots for flight on board a rocket-powered aircraft. George Tyson, CEO of […]
EAA Eagle Flight #1, check
OSHKOSH — Diane Thornton from Dallas was the inaugural passenger in EAA‘s new Eagle Flight program on Tuesday morning at AirVenture. Modeled after the successful Young Eagles program, which has flown more than 1.7 million kids (aged 7-18), Eagle Flight aims to expose adults to flying. Thornton’s Eagle Flight was with EAA President Rod Hightower in his T-6. […]