CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will conduct the first mission over the Gulf of Mexico with its unmanned aircraft from Monday, March 11, through Friday, March 15. The drone will acquire data over the Gulf and South Texas ranchland as part of the search for new applications of unmanned aerial technology, university […]
Experimental Aircraft
Skyship to launch in May
ORLANDO, Fla. — Skyship Services Inc. , owner of the Type Certificates for the largest certified non-rigid airships in the world, recently signed a contract that will launch the first of a new era of Skyships. The 200-foot flying machine is being assembled at a hangar facility near Elizabeth City, N.C., that was originally used […]
N6ZQ follows in N5ZQ footsteps
I met Bill Harrelson at the 2009 Copperstate Fly-In. Bill, an efficiency expert, sent me an email detailing the nearly non-stop flight home (Arizona to Virginia) in N5ZQ, a Lancair 320. That was more than three years and one N-number ago. In Thursday afternoon’s EAA e-Hotline I see that Bill is back at it. He […]
Glasair rolls out 160th aircraft in Two Weeks to Taxi Program
ARLINGTON, Wash. — Since the program was started in 2006, Glasair’s builder assist program has succeeded in bringing 160 Sportsman aircraft to the flightline. The first 34 kits were able to taxi in three weeks, after which the program was streamlined and renamed: “Two Weeks to Taxi.” The 160th aircraft to be completed in the […]
Strachan joins Glasair as Director of Marketing and Sales
Arlington, Wash. – Glasair Aviation has appointed Christopher Strachan as Director of Marketing and Sales. He will be responsible for redefining the Glasair and Sportsman brands, for all promotion activity and sales strategies. “Chris brings passion, energy, experience and a unique perspective to our existing business and future plans,” said Nigel Mott, President of Glasair Aviation. “He […]
NTSB: First flight of experimentals prone to accidents
WASHINGTON, DC – A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study found that in 2011, of the 102 crashes of experimental amateur-built aircraft built by their owners, 10 crashed on their first flights. The report also found that 14 of 125 aircraft that had been bought used and involved in accidents crashed on the new owner’s […]
Onex receives FAA nod
Sonex Aircraft reports that the FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) has approved and published amateur building checklists for the new Onex Single-Place, Folding-Wing Sport Pilot Aircraft. Availability of these approved checklists allows current and future Onex builders to show compliance with the “major portion” requirement of 14 CFR section 21.191(g) for experimental/amateur-built aircraft, commonly […]