Manufacturers

M-Squared Aircraft is one of the light sector’s pioneering airframe producers. Founded and operated by industry veteran Paul Mather, M-Squared has discovered two particular niches that I can identify. First, if you are new to ultralight aircraft — easily the most affordable end of aviation — the odds are high that you are attracted to […]

Air taxis — eVTOLs — UAVs — UASs — UAMs. I like “multicopters,” but the name game continues. Maybe these new-fangled flying contraptions have numerous (indecipherable) names because they’re still deciding which way they’re headed? I believe aircraft like these are nearly inevitable and I not only don’t resist, I’m rather enthusiastic about them. I’d […]

Recreational aviation can be hugely rewarding in many ways, but creating a well-functioning and useful business in this sector of flying has challenges. Some who try eventually hit upon the right formula but no one says this is easy. Technology has been particularly helpful to smaller enterprises, especially those that serve customers widely dispersed across […]

Sun ‘n Fun 2023 means spring and helps kick off a season of recreational flying. As the year progresses and Oshkosh arrives, we have our fingers crossed for FAA to issue the Mosaic Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). At AirVenture 2022, we were promised the draft proposal by August of this year. The following […]

Whoo, Hoo! It’s almost showtime! April 2023 seems destined to finally overcome all the Covid baggage as attendees sign up in droves for Sun ‘n Fun. With a delicious 10-day spacing between them — time to rest up a bit after a vigorous week — later in April comes Aero Friedrichshafen. Get ready for plenty […]

I have followed Super Petrel since before it went to Brazil* more than 20 years ago. I mention this to make two points. Super Petrel has a long history; some 400 are flying around the world. In addition, the current producer, Scoda Aeronautica, has continually made changes to the design. The video below identifies some of […]

I regularly say this website follows aircraft you can afford. Whenever I write that word, I know someone will object saying that (fill-in-the-price) is too expensive. I get that. We all have a different budget and our budget can change quickly. How about if the aircraft was essentially free? And what if you could choose between […]

It’s cold up north. So, time for a winter boat show? What’s that got to do with seaplanes? Why don’t organizers present the Minneapolis Boat Show in spring or summer? Fact: Minnesota owns 30% more boats per capita than any other American state. Wisconsin is in third while South Carolina is second. Florida leads the […]

A winning airshow attraction over the last few years has been STOL competitions. STOL stands for Short Takeoff and Landing. Believe me, these pilots totally obsess over “short.” You truly need to see these performances to believe what determined pilots in suitable aircraft can do. I encourage all to come on down to sunny Florida for Sun […]

Darkest before dawn? I hear growing concern about FAA’s new Mosaic regulation and what it will or won’t do. An increasing number of comments I hear are variations of these words — “FAA is never going to get this done, and if they do, it will be a crappy rule.” Why so glum? Maybe pilots are […]