Hartzell Propeller and Cirrus Aircraft have entered into a five-year extension of an exclusive supplier agreement to provide propeller systems and governors for all of Cirrus Aircraft’s new prop-driven airplanes. The agreement extends a relationship between the companies that began in 1996. It was then that Hartzell began working with Cirrus to develop high-performance, low […]
Aircraft
Mooney production to relaunch Feb. 26
KERRVILLE, Texas — Production on the first Mooney airplane to be built since 2009 is set to begin Feb. 26. According to Mooney CEO Dr. Jerry Chen, the new leadership at Mooney has spent the past few months preparing the dormant company’s return to manufacturing. The airplane manufacturer was purchased last October by Soaring America […]
Higher horsepower upgrade for Caravan floatplanes approved
Blackhawk Modifications of Waco, Texas, and Wipaire, Inc. of South St. Paul, Minn., have received FAA approval of the Blackhawk XP42A engine upgrade for Cessna Model 208 and 208A Caravans on Wipline floats. This approval enables owners of these aircraft to install a new 850 horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A turboprop engine in place of […]
Pilot Report: SAM LS
SAM LS Designer Thierry Zibi and I met at Sandpiper Aviation at Meacham Airport in Fort Worth during October’s AOPA Summit. We chatted for about an hour prior to climbing aboard the tandem two-seater — named for Zibi’s son — for a flight around the area. Thierry told me SAM LS prototype we were going […]
SAM LS takes off
“Wow! What….is…that?” That was the most common reaction when people first set eyes on the SAM LS at AirVenture 2013. The round-cowl Light-Sport Aircraft made its American debut at the annual event. The combination of a round cowl, tear-drop shaped wheel-pants and a side-hinged folding canopy give the airplane a decidedly classic look. To many people, the […]
Czech Sport Aircraft delivers 500th aircraft
Czech Sport Aircraft reports the delivery of the 500th aircraft from the company’s facility in Kunovice. This milestone was recognized Jan. 23 during a delivery ceremony for serial number C0500. The 500th aircraft is a PS-28 Cruiser destined for the United Kingdom and was formally handed over to Kairos Aviation Limited. “This is a very […]
Cirrus engineering team honored
DULUTH, Minn. — Cirrus Aircraft’s SR-series Engineering and Design Team has been named the recipient of the 2013 Joseph T. Nall Safety Award, for pioneering a wide array of safety features designed for single-engine aircraft. The award is presented annually by the International Air & Transportation Safety Bar Association (IATSBA) to honor those who have […]
Duncan Aviation unveils new paint design
LINCOLN, NEB. — Duncan Aviation’s Chairman Emeritus Robert Duncan and his wife, Karen, surround themselves with the things they’re passionate about: aviation and art. So, when Duncan Aviation acquired a new Citation M2, they wanted the jet’s paint scheme to reflect the brush strokes of an abstract artist. They also simultaneously took the term “green […]
Savoring the Swift
Pilots often have two dreams: One is to find a derelict airplane in a barn and restore it to an airworthy showpiece; the other is to find someone who shares their passion for aviation. Paul and Sandy Mercandetti from Knoxville, Tenn., are lucky enough to have had both dreams come true. The couple flies around the […]









