Affordable Aviation

Editor’s Note: This two-part short series is the handiwork of Ron Wanttaja, who has been tracking accident and registration data for Experimental aircraft for decades. Here, he looks at both the fleet size and accident rates among the various LSA categories. Looking ahead, the next installment will dig deep into how LSAs fare against more […]

You’re probably wondering about this raspy old voice appearing on the ByDanJohnson site. Who are you and what have you done with Dan? Part of that you already know. Dan sold this site to what was then the Flying Media Group, owned by Craig Fuller, an LSA owner himself. Since adding a bunch of marine […]

Harley Davidson or Rotax — Sounds can be unique and associated with a certain brand. Harley motorcycles have made their sound a trademark, defending it vigorously against wannabe knock-offs. Sling Pilot Academy found Rotax 912iS engines output a particular sound, too. However, they wanted to shield their neighbors from it. As busy as Sling Pilot […]

By the middle of March, this website had exceeded all prior monthly records. In only 16 days, we recorded an all-time high in single-day non-repeating visitor count and in monthly visitors. So, it is already certain that I will conclude my full-time activities with ByDanJohnson.com on a very high note and I am grateful beyond […]

A few days ago a couple Super Petrel XPs arrived in Florida. In no time, Roger Helton‘s team had the pair assembled and had earned their Special Airworthiness Certificates, from two different FAA inspectors no less. Development happens fast in light aviation; Mosaic will further quicken the pace. Welcome to Light-Sport Aircraft where the swift […]

Today’s Bargain Buy might be one of the most inexpensive and little-known ways to enjoy off-airport and backcountry capability, and it comes in a unique, vintage package. Designed in 1947 and produced for only one year—1949—the Piper PA-16 Clipper offers a charming hodgepodge of qualities that make a fun flying experience. Only 736 examples were […]

Every pilot loves a P-51 Mustang, right? The World War II fighter with gutsy lines and a thundering engine turning a giant prop consistently ranks as one of the most desirable airplanes of all time. Don’t even think about affording a real P-51 unless you win the lottery. Warbirds may be the biggest attraction at […]

Oshkosh offers something for every pilot and more than any one person can see. I’ll mention this news briefly as I wish to pay respect to fellow pilots. Two accidents on the weekend after we departed resulted in four fatalities, reportedly including one passenger. My sincere condolences to the surviving families. Oshkosh has enjoyed safe […]

Pilots who have attended the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany may have spotted Pegaso since it was first exhibited in 2018. Six years later, the model lacks American representation, so ‘Yankee’ pilots generally don’t know this flying machine. This is Pegaso, a European ultralight that expresses a beautiful style we expect from Italy. Promecc is […]

Pilots who have attended the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany may have spotted Pegaso since it first exhibited in 2018. Six years later, the model lacks American representation so Yankee pilots generally don’t know this flying machine. This is Pegaso, a European “ultralight” that expresses a beautiful style we expect from Italy. Promecc is better […]