BRP-Powertrain (Rotax Aircraft Engines)

Most of us would be mighty pleased to sit comfortably and gaze upon our pace-setting aircraft. As reported recently, Alberto Porto, head of Porto Aviation, flew to a higher altitude and managed to squeak past the 400 kilometer per hour (true airspeed) barrier in his supersleek Risen powered by the turbocharged Rotax 914 engine. Most […]

How does modern-day Rotax relate to the Wright Brothers? Here’s a trivia test for light aviation enthusiasts. Answer:  Both started out in the bicycle business. A little over a year ago, the engine builder from Gunskirchen, Austria celebrated their 100th anniversary. Check this article that contains a link to a beautifully-presented history of the company. It also […]

“Winds are going to be rather sporty,” observed AirCam developer, Phil Lockwood, as he and Robert Meyer and the AirCam team finalized arrangements for another fly-out, this one to Jekyll Island (09J). The single runway near the resort island had a crosswind forecast for arrival day. When it comes from the east, air tumbles down […]

Summer is fast approaching and for much of the northern hemisphere, that means seaplane flying. For all pilots, covid fear is dissipating and summer skies beckon. In this LSA Update… Learn about the return of Finland’s wood-and-composite LSA seaplane, now rebadged as Avion from new supplier Scandinavian Seaplanes (updated 6/15/21) Check out another award for […]

Recently I interacted with a reader, someone considering a light aircraft for purchase. He inquired about the ability of ultralights or Light-Sport Aircraft to cope with high density altitude. He raised valid and worthy points but showed a certain lack of knowledge about the capabilities of light aircraft. (We are working on a more detailed […]

This flying dream has been years in the making. Admittedly, it’s a big project, but so authentic is this 70%-scale P-51 Mustang lookalike that I think I see you already starting to drool. Don’t feel too conspicuous. It’s happening to me, too, along with nearly everyone else. [Article updated on 6/4/21 regarding price information; see below. […]

The appeal is obvious. What pilot doesn’t like the idea of flying faster? Even those of us who enjoy low-and-slow Part 103 ultralights remain intrigued by the idea of going fast, eating up the miles en route to a destination. [Article updated 5/31/21 with additional information. —DJ] Since I first saw this aircraft when it […]

Down under, heads are down and wrenches are wrenching. A team in New Zealand has been working for years on what might be the most sophisticated new aircraft to emerge …well, anywhere among Light-Sport Aircraft but certainly in LSA seaplanes. Look out, Icon A5! Here comes Wave and it should be quite exciting. Designer Paul […]

We continue with further coverage from the first major airshow in almost two years… THANKS to Sun ‘n Fun 2021 for helping present these interesting aircraft and more. This article has news …about two aircraft in a category I refer to as “alternative aircraft” …about an easily-mounted autopilot you can actually afford …and the success […]

Usually, aviation journalists attending airshows seek the latest and greatest in aircraft. We love to find aircraft our readers have never seen and I’ve reported some of those in recent days. Today, however, I’m going to step back in time to an aircraft model series I have not covered in years. Titan Aircraft has become well […]