Are You Ready For Oshkosh?

Stemme Twin Voyager S12

You can get an up-close look at the Stemme Twin Voyager S12 motor glider when the German manufacturer debuts its flagship aircraft at AirVenture Oshkosh. Stemme premiered the S12 prototype at AERO Friedrichshafen in 2015, and in 2016, EASA granted type certification for the Twin Voyager S12.

With its 82-foot wingspan, the high-performance glider achieves a glide ratio of up to 53. The unique folding propeller disappears completely into the dome during glide mode, which gives the aircraft excellent aerodynamics. Powered by the Rotax 914 F2/S1 Turbo engine, the S12 also features autopilot and new luggage compartment in the fuselage. Stemme reports 20-plus orders on hand.

Currently, the S12 is near FAA certification.

Learn more at stemme.com.

Redbird Flight Sims & A2A Flight Simulations Commemorate 75th Anniversary Of Pearl Harbor

Exhibiting with the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Redbird and A2A are providing AirVenture attendees with a one-of-a-kind P40 Flight Simulation experience. Built by Redbird, the custom MX2 full-motion simulator is designed to mimic the P-40 Warhawks that Major George Welch (2nd Lieutenant at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack) flew in the Battle of Pearl Harbor.

For some backstory, on December 6, 1941, Welch and Lieutenant Ken Taylor, still in their tuxedo trousers after attending a dinner-dance that led into an all-night poker game, were returning to their barracks when the area came under the Japanese aerial attack. The pilots had recently had their fighter planes moved to an airstrip at Haleiwa, so while Taylor got in his Buick, Welch telephoned the airstrip: "Get two P-40s ready!" When they arrived at Haleiwa, their P-40s were fueled, idling and armed. Acting on their own initiative, Welch and Taylor took off and engaged the enemy. The pilots accounted for nearly 20% of all Japanese aircraft losses during the attack and two-thirds of all Japanese air-to-air losses.

RAF Orange Day!

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) will host events at Oshkosh this year. On Thursday, 7/28, at the Brown Arch at 10 a.m., there will be a Brick Dedication for Reade Genzlinger, past RAF director and aviation enthusiast. Red Star Pilots Association will fly a missing man formation in honor of Reade, who also was a member of their organization.

From 2:00 - 4:30 p.m., the RAF will host an Ice Cream Social at the Hartzell Propeller rooftop patio. Ice cream will be provided by Kelly Country Creamery, a local Fond du Lac, Wisconsin dairy farm.

The RAF wants you to wear your orange or RAF logo to let people know you're part of the "FUN TEAM!" We think preserving, maintaining and creating airstrips for recreational access is fun---and celebration-worthy!

AOPA Town Hall Meeting

On Friday morning at its exhibit area, AOPA hosts a town hall meeting with organization president Mark Baker, who will discuss the big initiatives AOPA has its eyes on, as well as answer questions about those that have recently been enacted into law (hint, hint, medical reform). Because of, um, some "pressure" from Plane & Pilot, AOPA will be providing "fresh coffee and donuts," and as usual, we expect Mark to give straight answers to even the toughest questions.