As many prepare for the opening of Sun ‘n Fun in only three weeks, I attended a meeting relative to the area known as Paradise City or the Light Plane Area, though some simply call it the Ultralight Area. Whatever you call it, dramatic changes are underway and you should pay attention. *** Our meeting was arranged by 23-year area chairman Dave Piper with brand new Sun ‘n Fun boss John “Lites” Leenhouts (yes, everyone calls him “Lites,” a nickname he picked up in the Navy*). Also attending were operations boss Wayne Boggs plus convention director Laura Vaughn and exhibit director Bonnie Perkins. Dave assembled this group so we could discuss changes to come. *** For 2013, the LSA Mall will relocate to the entrance to Paradise City, that is, right alongside Doolittle Road, the paved road that runs east/west just inside the main gate, connecting the Florida Air Museum with Paradise City and on down to Choppertown (see map).
Archives for March 2012
Kodak Moment for Quicksilver Aeronautics
Among all aircraft producers in the world, a very limited number have exceeded the daunting barrier of delivering more than 10,000 airplanes. Those in this exclusive club include manufacturers of major aircraft such as Boeing, Cessna, Piper and precious few others. While Van’s Aircraft is approaching this number with their RV kit-built aircraft series (itself a rather incredible achievement), no recreational aircraft company has passed the 10,000 unit mark… except one: Quicksilver. *** For many pilots Quicksilver makes “ultralights.” Indeed they do, in that some models can be built to stay within FAA’s Part 103 rule. Quicksilver also makes two seaters in two model lines — the MX series and the GT series — and those are now considered Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft. Except for dealer-built Part 103 Quicksilver aircraft, er… “ultralight vehicles” to use the preferred FAA term, all the California company’s aircraft have been constructed from kits.
Volkswagen for Drivers; Volksplane for Pilots
Barely had we published the announcement of Dave Unwin as a new ByDanJohnson.com contributor but what two visitors wrote asking for a review of Dave’s affordable VP-1. We’re pleased to answer that request quickly. Enjoy…! |||| Far below the sun-splashed wings the autumn shadows are lengthening across the Lincolnshire Wolds. Sunset won’t be long, and I’ve still got around 40 nm to go. Thank goodness I’ve got a tailwind, for although the Evans VP-1 Volksplane is many things, one thing it isn’t… is fast! *** So, how does it fly? Well, with only 60 hp the acceleration is far from startling, and it is important to pick up the tail, particularly if the grass is long as the tailwheel is small. Fortunately the large stabilator becomes effective quickly, as does the rudder. No problem keeping her straight. However, VP-1 is hardly over-powered; you must “fly the wing.” You don’t quite have to coax it into the air, but you can’t bully it either.