The grandson of Bernard Pietenpol, who is known as the Father of the Homebuilt Aircraft, has joined with Aircraft Spruce to offer Pietenpol Air Camper kits. The revived Pietenpol Aircraft Company offers six wooden Sitka Spruce Official Pietenpol Air Camper component kits. Kits start at $17.50 for an Pietenpol Vertical Stabilizer kit. Pietenpol’s flying legacy […]
Experimental Aircraft
Tecnam twin tapped for NASA project
NASA has selected the Tecnam P2006T twin as the airframe on which it will evaluate the potential of LEAPtech (Leading Edge Asynchronous Technology), with the aim of developing safer, more energy efficient, lower operating cost and greener general aviation aircraft. LEAPTech is a key element of NASA’s plan to help a significant portion of the […]
Bede LSA enters Phase 1 of flight testing
Officials at Bedecorp report that the New BD-22 Light-Sport Aircraft has begun Phase I of its flight testing program. Tim Becker, an engineer with Bedecorp, said he believes the BD-22L will meet or exceed all of the company’s design expectations. The BD-22L is the big brother of the BD-17L, which incorporates the same bonded honeycomb fuselage. (The […]
CubCrafters names two new sales centers
Backcountry aircraft manufacturer CubCrafters has appointed two new Certified Sales Centers: SWT Aviation Northeast will cover the Northeastern United States, and SunCountry Cubs will support states in the southwest. SWT and SunCountry are now the exclusive authorized dealers in their territories for new and pre-owned CubCrafters aircraft, including the Sport Cub S2 and Carbon Cub SS […]
Videos: Sonex reports several milestones for SubSonex jet
OSHKOSH, Wis. — Sonex Aircraft reports several milestones in the SubSonex Personal Jet program during the month of February: The first SubSonex kit shipped from the Sonex factory; four new SubSonex model JSX-2 pilots were minted in Moriarty, N.M.; and Bob Carlton received his Low-Level Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) card for the SubSonex in-preparation for the 2015 airshow season. On Feb. […]
Indiegogo campaign launches for AirBoard
LIEPAJA, Latvia — Elviss Straupenieks has launched an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign for AirBoard, what he’s calling the world’s smallest manned aircraft. The all-electric personal air vehicle, featuring four propellers powered by four separate electric motors, moves in reaction to shifts in the rider’s weight, he explained. “It is designed for moving in extreme environments, such as over water […]
Bearhawk Patrols debut in Africa and Brazil
Bearhawk Aircraft reports two firsts for its Bearhawk Patrol aircraft kits: The first flight of a completed Bearhawk Patrol in South Africa; and the first shipment of a Bearhawk Patrol kit to Brazil. The first Bearhawk Patrol to fly in South Africa has now logged more than 27 hours. Owned by South African Bearhawk distributor Wayne […]
Randy Lervold named CubCrafters president
YAKIMA, Wash. — Randy Lervold has been named president of CubCrafters. He has served as general manager of the aircraft designer and manufacturing company since 2009. “When Randy joined CubCrafters in 2009, he bought a fresh perspective to our business,” said company founder and CEO Jim Richmond. “He is organized, focused, and understands our customer. I […]
Spartan inks deal for first 20 Sun Flyers
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has signed a Training Program Development and Deposit Agreement with Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. (AEAC), reserving the first 20 “Sun Flyer” delivery positions. The deal also includes Spartan helping to develop a complete training system for the “Sun Flyer” solar-electric training aircraft. “Our goal with Sun Flyer is to achieve […]