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Web-based flight planning with iPad display

*** While out west on business travel I had the chance to fly the latest SLSA on the List, the South African Sling. Earlier I’ve written about the all metal LSA’s round-the-world flight but now this low wing design is being made available for sale to Americans. *** On a gorgeous Southern California day, Matt […]

Normally I don’t write about record attempts or exceptional flights until they are completed and even then only if they are significant. Too many grand voyages end prematurely. But I’ve known Mike Blyth for decades and he’s already accomplished several daring flights. For example, his South to South expedition went from the southern tip of […]

On Memorial Day I had a chance to visit Icon Aircraft and spend some time with CEO Kirk Hawkins. We met seven years ago — just after the SP/LSA rule was released — near the beginning of his ambitions to create an entirely clean-sheet LSA amphibian. *** Recently, Icon released the video appearing below to […]

Tackling the wilds of Utah in a do-it-all turboprop

Pilatus PC-12 Engine make/model: P&WC PT6A-67P Thermodynamic power (shp): 1744 Flat-rated power (shp): 1,200 Fuel type: Jet A, Jet A1, Jet B, JP4 TBO (hrs.): 3500 Propeller: four-blade Hartzell, full reversing Propeller speed (rpm): 1,700 Max takeoff weight (lbs.): 10,450 Wingspan (ft.): 53.4 Overall length (ft.): 47.3 Height (ft.): 14.0 Wing area (ft.): 277.8 Maximum […]

We’re 45 minutes out of Daytona Beach bound for Key West on a summer evening. Viewed from our altitude, the sun has just begun its dip below the horizon, leaving us in muted daylight as darkness settles across the land below.

The venerable Cessna P210N enjoys a welcome improvement

It was the perfect mission of exploring Moab—Utah’s popular base for national parks such as Arches and Canyonlands—and the perfect airplane, a Pilatus PC-12 that can land just about anywhere and carry just about anything.

Darkness comprises roughly half of every day, but that’s no reason to avoid flying at night, if’€¦