EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a time to discover new products, as well as catch up with old friends.
Aircraft
Sporty’s introduces AeroWear X-1 Flight Jacket
Nothing says innovation and toughness like the X-1, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier, flown by General Chuck Yeager in 1947. Inspired by that, Sporty’s is introducing the AeroWear X-1 Flight Jacket.
Brothers crash while intentionally flying low
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
Post-maintenance flight goes awry
The loss of lateral/bank control during takeoff due to the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane with a known fuel imbalance.
More opportunities for Young Eagles through updated Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course
Kids who fly as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program will have access to an improved benefit, as long-time partner Sporty’s has made several updates to its Learn to Fly course.
Would a tower have stopped attempted flight of unairworthy aircraft?
This is an unairworthy aircraft with no working radios, transponder, or ELT. Because it had been sitting for so long, it has grown mold and has corrosion all over the wings and fuselage.
Mechanic’s error fatal for two
The mechanic’s failure to install the required gasket on the vacuum pump drive pad in accordance with the maintenance manual, which resulted in oil exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the Director of Maintenance’s failure to verify the installation of the vacuum pump gasket before returning the airplane to service.
Distracted pilot runs out of fuel
I planned a flight knowing that I had slightly more than 1/2 tanks full and balanced. I preflighted but failed to check the wing top tank caps.
New collaboration adds flight sim scenarios to Sporty’s Learn to Fly course
Sporty’s has partnered with Infinite Flight to integrate its scenario-based flight simulator training with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, allowing students to practice maneuvers virtually. This collaboration offers pilots the chance to apply flight lessons in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk simulator with realistic weather scenarios before transitioning to real-world flying.