Don Cooney’s Prowler is one clean machine with a number of cleverly designed components that set this uncommon American trike apart from the rest, even Europe’s highly engineered brands. The small double-surfaced wing resembles Britain’s Chaser but has been subtly modified to improve the shape. The trike carriage has a elegantly simple rear structure and engine mount supporting a Rotax 447. Prowler’s nosewheel uses a single sturdy strut and hydraulic brake. A simple instrument panel has the right (few) gauges and a holder for a radio. On whole, the Part 103-legal Prowler is one of the most smartly designed trikes in the fleet. Sitting low and comfortable, I can’t wait to fly it. Watch for my article in the December 2005 Kitplanes magazine.
Archives for July 2005
SpaceShipOne and White Knight at Oshkosh 2005
It was just too cool for a space buff like me…that is, me and hundreds of thousands more at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. I know this isn’t Sport Pilot or Light-Sport Aircraft stuff but I feel SpaceShipOne represents one of the great accomplishments of our age and I can’t resist showing you what it looked like on arrival for its one-and-only-EVER appearance in public. Folks who go to Oshkosh can see the enormous machine up close. Then, they can walk 100 yards south to the first-ever LSA Mall which features 35 light sport planes of every description. The area has proved a home-run hit and is drawing big crowds. This is a great year to visit Oshkosh; it runs through Sunday the 31st. If you come to the LSA Mall, look me up…
Come See the Russian Sigma
EAA’s great aviation celebration called AirVenture Oshkosh is about to begin (Monday, July 25th through Sunday, July 31st). Get more info at the AirVenture website, and if you can attend you’ll get to see the new Russian Sigma Light-Sport Aircraft. This unique light plane will be on display along with 35 others in EAA’s special “LSA Mall” and the entire collection is right next to AeroShell Square where SpaceShipOne will be seen with White Knight for their one-and-only-ever public appearance together. Watch for coverage of Sigma in Sport Pilot magazine.
A Blizzard of Paragliders
According to news released by the Associated Press, dozens of paragliders (the unpowered sort) flew in competition above the picturesque Swiss Alps during the Swiss Paragliding Championships in late May this year. One of the competitors, Martin Scheel, snapped this impressive photo. It is not a doctored or “PhotoShopped” image but reveals the close-in flying done by these lightest-of-all aircraft. Paragliders fly from 25-40 mph and some claim glide angles of 7:1. Any of them can be carried in an oversized backpack. For more info on American paragliding, contact the U. S. Hang Gliding Association.