Plane-Crafters has introduced the Two Week Wonder program, an accelerated plane-building experience for owners and pilots who want to complete a new Zenith aircraft in record time. Designed for busy people, the new Build-Center offers pilots the opportunity to assemble and taxi their own self-built sport aircraft after just two weeks of workshop time. “We know and have demonstrated […]
Experimental Aircraft
Van’s lawsuit attack against kit-built industry
An Oregon family has filed a $35 million lawsuit again Van’s Aircraft after a crash last year that claimed the life of the builder and his 4-year-old granddaughter. The suit alleges that the instructions for the kits and the parts provided by Van’s Aircraft Inc and Floscan Instrument Co. “are inadequate and unsafe,” according to […]
XP-320 engine now option for Zenith CH750
Zenith Aircraft has selected Superior Air Parts XP-320 engine as a builder option on its STOL CH750 and CH750 Cruiser kit aircraft. “When we look for improved products and additional options to offer our builder base, we look for several traits in a company, including high product quality, superb customer support, a commitment to innovation and […]
Perlan 2 gilder first flight slated for Wednesday
The Perlan 2 glider, an engineless aircraft designed to reach the edge of space, will – weather permitting – attempt its first flight Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Robert’s Field at Redmond Municipal Airport in Oregon. This is the first test flight for the Perlan 2 glider, which will attempt to set a new world altitude record for any […]
Flying Just Aircraft’s SuperSTOL Stretch XL
How do you improve on a popular backcountry aircraft design? If you are the folks at Just Aircraft, you make it larger and with the ability to support a more powerful engine. That best describes Just Aircraft’s SuperSTOL Stretch XL. The red high-wing, tailwheel-equipped airplane mounted on tundra tires stole the show when it debuted […]
Van’s ships 1,000th RV-12 kit
On Aug. 27, the shipping department at Van’s Aircraft had several orders to fill. By the end of the day, it had rolled out the 937th RV-12 kit empennage package onto the shipping dock, where it was picked up by a customer from Washington state, Richard Bangsund. What’s the significance of 937? Combined with the S-LSA […]
Development continues on Burt Rutan’s SkiGull
Burt Rutan always draws a crowd at his AirVenture forums, especially when introducing a new aircraft design. And since his current project, the SkiGull amphibian, may be the “retired” 72-year-old designer’s last homebuilt, the standing-room-only crowd at this year’s Oshkosh was all ears as he broke his long-standing rule of keeping a new design under […]
The Airplane Factory collaborates with Synergy Air on builder program
The Airplane Factory (TAF) is now collaborating with Synergy Air of Eugene, Oregon, on the Sling 4 Two Week Turbo Build Program. The program involves a builder spending several weeks at Synergy Air’s Oregon location and building a Sling 4 Turbo from quickbuild kit with the training and assistance of Synergy Air’s team. The airplane will then […]
EAA unveils Founder’s Innovation Prize to spur new safety technology for homebuilts
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — At this week’s AirVenture, officials with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) introduced a new Founder’s Innovation Prize competition designed to encourage innovation to enhance safety in amateur-built aircraft. It will use the best ideas from EAA members and chapters, with cash prizes for the best emerging technology.The competition was announced […]