PEMBROKE, Quebec — While many Zenith builders dream about flying into the backcountry, Richard Lauzon, 56, flies the opposite direction. Based at the Ten Mile Lodge in northern Quebec, Lauzon says his STOL CH 801 is by far the most practical means of getting in and out of his hunting/fishing resort. The nearest airport is […]
Experimental Aircraft
First flight: e-Go
The e-Go prototype took to the skies for the first time Oct. 24 in England. Chief Test Pilot was Keith Dennison for the design, which has been in development for the past 10 years, according to Giotto Castelli, who is leading the effort to bring the one-seat plane to market. “I believe the canard design […]
All-terrain flying car debuts
SkyRunner, a new recreational sports vehicle that is part all-terrain vehicle and part light-sport aircraft, will make its public debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this week. “Airports are not required with SkyRunner,” says Stewart Hamel, SkyRunner founder and CEO. “This vehicle will change the way people experience their world and provide pure […]
The toy RV
Military aircraft, flags, fierce mythical creatures, comely young women — these are often the inspiration for aircraft paint schemes. You can get exceedingly elaborate with a design that stands out and attracts crowds, or go the other direction and keep it simple with a white base coat and a stripe. The Bruch family from Sturgis, […]
Backcountry beauty
There are airplanes that are built for show, airplanes built for backcountry camping, and airplanes built for IFR cross-country flying. One of the best things about building your own airplane is that you can create a machine that fits all these categories. Gordon Anderson, from Silverthorn, Colo., has achieved this with his 2012 Sportsman 2+2. […]
Zenith Workshops: Like taking a test drive
MEXICO, Mo. — Most people would not buy an automobile without taking it out for a test drive, so Zenith Aircraft encourages people to attend a builders’ workshop to test their aptitude for building before buying an aircraft kit. That is why 70% to 80% of the people who attend a Zenith workshop put off […]
Homebuilt accident rate drops 30%
OSHKOSH, Wis. — Heightened safety efforts by the aviation community and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) are showing positive results, as fiscal year 2013 figures from the FAA indicate that fatal accidents in amateur-built aircraft in the U.S. declined by 30% when compared to fiscal year 2012. The totals, which include accidents during the 2013 […]
Quicksilver collaborates with defense contractor
TEMECULA, Calif. — Quicksilver Aeronautics has produced more than 15,000 kit-built aircraft since the early 1970s, but so far it has not been a player in the U.S. defense community. Thanks to a collaboration with IDENT, LLC, that may be changing. IDENT has submitted a proposal for support and expansion of U.S. border security, using […]
Zenith slates factory workshops
MEXICO, Mo. — Every month Zenith Aircraft hosts a two-day workshop for people who want to learn about the basics involved in building a metal aircraft. Some people attend to build the rudder for the complete kit they are ordering. Others just want to sample the types of work involved in aircraft construction. The workshop in […]