Affordable Aviation

The Creative Solutions Alliance (CSA) is a nonprofit organization, founded by Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh, that just announced his creation of the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP). *** In stirring language as quoted to AOPA’s Alton K. Marsh, Lindbergh says, “We are literally teaching the next generation to imagine and create […]

Everybody laments the high cost of LSA ownership: here’s an alternative…especially if you like true bugs-in-teeth aviating like our winged forefathers…uh, and foremothers of course…er, forepersons?  Sheesh.  Staying PC is so last week. *** Manfred Ruhmer, the German hang glider world champion and one-time distance record holder of 435 miles (current record is 444 mi.!), […]

Electric is hot! Even in a dull economy with sluggish airplane sales, the spark of electric power is crackling with life. Numerous projects have been announced and organizations like EAA are making way for electric airplanes to showcase themselves at big shows like AirVenture. *** Now, from an Italian manufacturer comes the work of world […]

Cessna’s in the hunt for flight schools, like everybody else.  Word comes via a city blog that Orlando Flight Training is ramping up a Sport Pilot training program that will use four Cessna Skycatchers at its Kissimmee Gateway Airport facility. *** The piece claims OFT is the first to offer the C-162 in Florida, and […]

I saw this bad boy at Sebring in January and was taken with its potential for flight schools, airplane dealers, insurance companies and plain old pilot fun. *** Dave Graham of Gobosh introduced me to the go-getter guys behind it.  They call themselves Light Sport Group. *** More details: *** It’s called the Contour HD […]

Rotax gurus Phil Lockwood and Dean Vogel updated their “Rotax 912 Engine Introduction” DVD with a free nine-minute YouTube posting. On-camera, the dynamic duo covered the new AeroShell Sport Plus 4 engine oil, new oil pressure sender, 10% ethanol guidelines, details of the Rotax 912 2,000-hour TBO (Time Between Overhaul) plus a demonstration of how […]

Two items today as we gin up for the 36th annual EAA Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In & Expo (that’s the official handle – it’s Sun ‘n Fun for short). *** The big show runs in Lakeland, FL from April 13-18. *** Like EAA’s Oshkosh AirVenture, you can float your flyin’ boat with enough pure aviation […]

Here’s something I hadn’t thought about since I’ve never flown an LSA into Canada: EAA reports that Transport Canada (aka TC) is doing what Canadians are famous for: acting friendly. *** TC is simplifying and cheapifying LSA flight from the US into Canada. *** TC has a new Standardized Validation form that bestows the same […]

Snowbirds will soon be flying south for Sun ‘n Fun. But as winter thaws into spring and summer, some Yankees may wish to fly their Light-Sport Aircraft north into Canada. Now, thanks to our good friends at EAA, American pilots may finally do so, reported another good friend, Mary Grady, a journalist for AvWeb. After […]

Here’s a few quick hits since I’ve been so long winded the last couple posts. *** We hit almost 70 degrees yesterday here in upstate NY. Wow! Snow’s mostly gone. Flyin’ fever is setting in. *** From Texas comes news that Michael Combs has left on a last warm-up trip in his Remos GX before […]