You’ve heard the idiom “the sky’s the limit.” Well, for Johnathan Smith, this phrase has, indeed, been taken literally. Smith, 47, heard all his life that, because of his stuttering, he would never be able to accomplish his dream of becoming a pilot. However, he proved everyone who said that wrong. “I was born with […]
sport pilot
EAA Sport Pilot Academy returns in 2017
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Sport Pilot Academy, which immerses people in a three-week course that concludes with earning a sport pilot certificate, returns in 2017 with three sessions throughout the year. The all-inclusive course at EAA headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, features dedicated aircraft and instructors focused on successful completion […]
Skyrunner takes off
SHREVEPORT, La. — SkyRunner is now selling its dual purpose, FAA-approved off-road aircraft. Featuring a dual engine powertrain, a Polaris ProStar 1000 engine powers the ground system, while a Rotax 914 UL light-sport aircraft engine enables SkyRunner to take flight. Using ram-air parafoil wing technology, renowned for its safety due to inherent stability, control and resistance to […]
Vickers Wave gears up for 2017
Pilots not closely following Light-Sport aviation can be excused for thinking only one LSA seaplane is available. Established LSA companies like Progressive Aerodyne and its Searey or Scoda‘s Super Petrel or Airmax’s SeaMax or any number of aircraft to which floats have been fitted may be somewhat baffled by the outsized attention Icon Aircraft‘s long-delayed A5 […]
Sonex B, now available in red!
Pardon a little fun in the title. I recalled the line long ago attributed to Henry Ford, “You can have any color Model T you want, as long as it’s black.” Sonex Aircraft had so regularly brought bright yellow airplanes to airshows, folks could be excused for thinking that was the only color available. Of […]
Shark flies in American skies
When you look at this new-to-Americans aircraft, you might have a vague recollection of one or more aircraft that looked something like Shark. Are you fuzzy about that recollection? That’s understandable. It’s been a decade since FlyItalia’s MD3 Rider had U.S. representation. MD3 did earn Special LSA approval, taking its place on our SLSA List […]
Data and power for cockpit iPads
You are a pilot. You probably own a smartphone. Perhaps you use a tablet, too. Certainly these devices are helpful, convenient, fun, and carry a reasonably low price, at least compared to most instruments you might install in your airplane. Numerous, constantly-refined apps have made these common devices incredibly useful to pilots. However, using an […]
Slings for two or four
In the beginning the aviation world had Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and a handful of other recognized names. We still have many of them, but most famous brands have trained their focus on larger aircraft, while the more affordable space is increasingly occupied by Light-Sport Aircraft manufacturers and a broad array of kit-built aircraft. “No comparison,” […]
DeLand Showcase seeks forum presenters
The first annual DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase will be “open for business” in a little more than two months, with the inaugural event slated for Nov. 3-5 at Florida’s DeLand Municipal Airport (KDED). Since the close of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016, nearly all of the Showcase’s 100 indoor and outdoor exhibit spaces have been filled, ensuring […]