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 […]
Aircraft
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. […]
Fleet nears 1 million flight hours, while Socata debuts enhancements
OSHKOSH — More than 600 single-engine turboprop TBM700 and TBM850 (pictured below) in the global fleet have amassed nearly 1 million flight hours, Daher-Socata‘s Senior Vice President Nicholas Chabbert said Tuesday at AirVenture. In addition to the fleet milestone, officials reported the TBM850 Elite was certified. The Elite, which took just six months of certification work, is […]
Two new Sky Arrows introduced at Oshkosh
OSHKOSH — Magnaghi Aeronautica, the Italian aerospace group that manufactures the Sky Arrow aircraft series, introduced an updated Sky Arrow light-sport aircraft (LSA) Tuesday at AirVenture. Enhancements include new extended wing tanks, modified aerodynamics on the stabilizer, and a new, streamlined leaf-spring landing gear. Other new components include Beringer wheels and brakes and a 10-inch […]
Factory-approved Searey training takes off
OSHKOSH — Chesapeake Sport Pilot in Maryland has been granted FAA authorization to provide factory-approved Searey transition training, officials reported Tuesday at AirVenture. The flight school is the first in the nation to receive a letter of deviation authority (LODA)from the FAA specifically for Searey training, said Helen Woods, chief flight instructor of Chespeake Sport […]
RV-1 #1 donated to EAA
OSHKOSH — Richard “Van” VanGrunsven’s first RV-1 was donated to the EAA at a ceremony on Phillips 66 Plaza on Monday at AirVenture. “The RV-1 had a tremendous impact on the industry,” said Rod Hightower, EAA President. “It and subsequent models became the most successful kit aircraft in the country.” The community of Van’s Aircraft […]
Xtreme Decathlon unveiled at Oshkosh
OSHKOSH — Powered by the new 210-horse Lycoming AEIO-390-A1B6, American Champion Aircraft‘s Xtreme Decathlon was unveiled on opening day of AirVenture 2012. Still tagged with an experimental sticker, flight testing will begin immediately following AirVenture. “We expect an October 2012 certification,” stated Jerry Mehlhaff, Jr. The engine is paired with a 76-inch MT Propeller. “We […]
Wipaire debuts LSA float
OSHKOSH — Wipaire rolled out its new Wipline 1450 amphibious float on opening day at AirVenture 2012. The float will be approved under ASTM standards for light-sport aircraft and eventually certified under TSO for CAR 3 and Part 23 installations. “We have invited a number of LSA manufacturers to take a look at the float,” […]
Skycatcher moving from LSA category
OSHKOSH — Cessna will move the 162 Skycatcher from the Light Sport Aircraft category to Part 21 to aid in certification in countries around the world that do not recognize the LSA category. In the U.S., sport pilots will still be able to fly as an LSA, according to Cessna officials. “The Skycatcher will be […]