Splog

As part of our parent company’s coverage of AirVenture this year, I had a chance to sit with several in the industry and talk about what’s happening generally and about new (and even re-emerging) technologies. One of those talks was with KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye, who is working hard to educate pilots of […]

The journey to becoming a professional pilot has traditionally been a long and expensive one, requiring hundreds of flight hours and multiple certifications before being able to earn money. However, the FAA Sport Pilot Instructor Certificate (CFI-S) offers a potential shortcut for aspiring aviators, allowing them to start teaching and earning income with significantly fewer […]

Here at the ByDanJohnson.com site, we get questions all the time related to aircraft whose companies are defunct or have gone on to something else. “Where can I find this part?” “How do I get documentation?” Sometimes we have the answers and sometimes we don’t. But it’s something we talk about every week, so in […]

Few legacy GA aircraft are as easily recognizable as the Ercoupe. The twin tails and large glazed canopy are distinctive, as are its lack of rudder pedals (on most models). Ercoupe Owner’s Club Executive Director Gene Bunt says, “for lack of a better explanation…it’s got major ‘cute factor’.” But apart from its unique looks, the […]

The Sport Pilot Certificate has emerged as a popular option for aspiring pilots who want to experience the joy of recreational flying without the extensive time and financial commitment required for a Private Pilot Certificate. It’s been with us for two decades but there are still questions about the SP certificate. Here’s a rundown. There […]

Metal or Fabric… that’s mainly been your choice when you look at LSA that can venture into unimproved landing strips. Composite aircraft with snugly-faired wheels and slippery, shiny exteriors usually stay on civilized airports. You’ve never seen a Cirrus land on a rocky creek bed, have you? Czech producer TL Ultralight has started down this […]

As part of the Oshkosh Live streaming television the Firecrown aviation division (which includes this site as well as KITPLANES) did from AirVenture, I sat down with Rian Johnson, who is, in addition to his role as head of design engineering at Van’s Aircraft, the chair of the ASTM F37 committee working on MOSAIC industry-consensus […]

With the excitement of EAA’s summer celebration of flight — AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 — slowly beginning to fade from headlines, this might be a good time to broaden our outlook. AirVenture features aircraft from everywhere and of every conceivable type. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of airplane-examining pleasure and thoroughly covers nearly every aspect of aviation, […]

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression” is a wise old saw, and my initial impressions of the Shark were all very positive. Some aircraft look like they’re moving even when they’re standing still, and the Shark definitely falls into this category. From the tip of the sharp-looking spinner to the […]

What if you had a powerful interest in flying but you needed special equipment? I don’t mean flat-screen avionics, powerful engines, or comfortable seats — though all those are indeed fun. Instead, I refer to people who want to fly but may have challenges many of us don’t face. If you had a passion for […]