Affordable Aviation

Seagull Aerosports takes a new angle on weight-shift construction with a fully enclosed cockpit. Developer Michael Riggs might prefer I called his Escape Pod something other than Everyman’s Motorglider, but if you have any interest in self-launched soaring flight, Riggs’ invention is one of the most cost-efficient purchases you can make. The Escape Pod costs […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Here’s an interesting perspective on the World Meet in Hay. The missing Manfred (Ruhmer) saw the event in his own way and expressed himself clearly. He didn’t go|which also means somebody else got to win after Manfred has won the last two World Meets. In the fifteen World meets that have […]

OSHKOSH, WISC. — While the deep snow swirls in strong winter winds up here in the southern tundra, it’s enjoyable to think about the 15th World Meet taking place in sunny, hot Australia where this time of year is “summer.” The event concluded just as this column was sent to the editor, and I’m pleased […]

ST. PAUL, MINN. — As this issue went to press, the Christmas cards and calls were arriving as usual. One call was a flashback to precisely two years ago, when in this column (Feb. ’03) I wrote a farewell to longtime Hang Gliding editor, Gil Dodgen. So, perhaps it was fitting that he should call […]

Kansas-based Powrachute has become one of the country’s largest powered producers because they keep innovating. Their latest creation is a full enclosure for their Eclectic Star model. Before that they wowed visitors to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh when they showed a powered parachute propelled by a T-58 jet engine. Talk about a crowd pleaser; no one […]

Check out Bobbie Bailey’s Connie Amphib. Many pilots are aware of aircraft referred to as flying boats. Among ultralight aircraft, the Aventura, SeaRey and Buccaneer stand out as good examples as do trikes like Polaris’ Flying Inflatable Boat. The flying boat reference describes those aircraft built around a boat hull with substantially different structure than […]

Part 103 ultralight trikes aim at soaring pilots. Many visitors to Oshkosh AirVenture 2003 expected the FAA to announce its new sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule. New Administrator Marion Blakey reported signing off on the rule on July 30, but with two other agencies in line to review it, we aren’t likely to see the final […]

A primer for ultralight pilots transitioning themselves and their machines Ultralight pilots flying legal Part 103 single-place ultralights are not affected by the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule. The rules of FAR Part 103 remain the same. Current and future ultralight pilots are free to enjoy those freedoms. If they choose to become sport pilots at […]

St. Paul, Minn. – Paraphrasing a famous speaker, “You can satisfy all of the people some of the time or all of the people some of the time, but, well| that’s about it. I’m referring to my story about Raven Sky Sports – it’s sale, then non-sale, and the challenge to its name. First, I […]

WALLABY RANCH, FL — While northerners prepare for winter and snow, it’s hot and sunny here in Florida. I’m in the state for a collection of aviation events, kicked off by a big gathering at Malcolm Jones’ “Ranch.” They called it the Moyes Boys Reunion. When most of us hear “reunion” we think of Class […]