Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Archives

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty

The Amazon of Aviation — Aircraft Spruce is Busy All Over the USA; 300 Employees Strong

By Dan Johnson || November 3, 2019 Leave a Comment

Aircraft Spruce's pilot shop at the Corona headquarters.

Spruce …and So Much More

Well, supplying wood to build airplanes is ancient history now, you might say. If you said this, you would not be alone but you'd be absolutely wrong.

Wood remains an important part of sales for Aircraft Spruce.

On a recent tour of the bustling enterprise headquarters in Corona, California, the first thing Bryan Toepfer showed us was the lumber shop. Even today, that shop was large and active with a longtime employee slicing lumber to order. "It's still a major part of the business," said Bryan, himself expressing some amazement at this fact. Bryan is known to many LSA owners and lots of Sport Pilot kit builders as he runs a related (but separate) business called California Power Systems. They have a busy operation representing Rotax Aircraft Engines and more. Yes, wood remains an important part of the business even though the 62,000 square foot facility was chock full of all manner of goods and gear that pilots and aircraft builders want to buy. Customers range from you and me to numerous airframe builders. Many of them buy essential materials from Spruce. The company also has a metal shop and a recently upgraded avionics shop where they can provide full wiring harnesses for nearly every kit aircraft in imagination. Of course, they have row after row of long isles with tall shelving units bursting with items all neatly organized by type and bar-coded for fast delivery. Get an order into Spruce before 4 PM and it will ship that same day. Heck, even gigantic Amazon can't do better than that.

Spruce Pops Up Everywhere (and not just their thick catalogs)

Now you know why I refer to this company the "Amazon of Aviation." Also like that other mail-order outfit, Spruce has multiple locations to hasten deliveries so those builder projects are not interrupted. ("Hell hath no fury like a aircraft kit builder delayed.")

Orders fill into ubiquitous plastic tubs that will be shipped same day.

Today, Spruce has operations in California, Georgia, Illinois, Alaska, and Canada. Plus, as airshow attendees know, you can find a substantial number of the most popular items at almost any event you attend. Among aviation brands, Aircraft Spruce is everywhere. More than 300 employees in those five locations provide more pilot gear than any other outfit in personal aviation. Even after decades of development and innovative operations plus acquisitions of several other enterprises, amazingly, the single product Mom Flo first offered still makes up a noteworthy share of the enterprise. "Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Company strives to carry everything a pilot could need, including pilot supplies and aircraft parts, always at the lowest prices," said company spokesmen we met on our tour. Spruce supplies components for a wide variety of homebuilt aircraft including the Lancair, Vans Aircraft, Cozy, Starduster and Europa, as well as factory built parts for Cessna, Piper, Beech, and Mooney. Yet it isn't all nuts and bolts (and wood).

Aircraft Spruce president Jim Irwin captures memories, frames them, and fills the facility's offices and halls with aviation images. "You can often find him here on a Sunday, changing or adding photos," said Bryan Toepfer.

Indeed, products include Garmin avionics, tools, charts, propellers, software, instruments, aircraft engines and parts, aviation headsets, landing gear components, and aircraft batteries. "We carry a full line of aviation grade hardware, covering supplies, composite materials, airframe parts, electrical components, and steel and aluminum," said Spruce managers. Bob and Flo's oldest son Jim Irwin grew up in the business, working in jobs such as cutting metal and spruce, pulling and shipping orders, and managing kit programs such as the Vari-Eze back in 1975 while still in college. In 1978, Jim acquired the company and became president in 1980 joined by his wife Nanci. Today, it's a full family affair with three of Jim and Nanci's sons — Mike, Jeff and Rob — filling management positions with the company. The Irwin family remains based in Southern California but in 2004, Aircraft Spruce East moved into a new 52,000 square foot facility in Peachtree City, Georgia. As we toured the California operation, Bryan explained that the Georgia operation is identically-laid-out to the Corona warehouse and it does approximately the same amount of business.

Mom Flo Irwin, seen at Fullerton Air Parts in the 1960s, later started Aircraft Spruce in the family home.

Aircraft Spruce Canada was opened in Toronto in December 2006 and now operates from a 20,000 square foot distribution center at the Brantford, Ontario Airport. In 2019, Aircraft Spruce opened two new facilities to better serve the Midwest and Alaska markets. Aircraft Spruce Midwest operates in a 50,000 square foot facility in the west suburbs of Chicago and Aircraft Spruce Alaska occupies a a 15,000 square foot building in Wasilla, Alaska. Add it up and you find a 54 year-old enterprise with a total of 400,000 square feet in five facilities. Does my Amazon comparison sound about right?

Images for this post came from a 2015 video titled, "EAA Chapter Videos—Inside Aircraft Spruce," where you can learn more about this dynamic company. https://youtu.be/FBJeL_zHm7c

You know Aircraft Spruce. So do all your flying buddies. Cutting to the chase, if you are involved in airplanes other than airlines and military, you not only know Aircraft Spruce, you’ve probably bought from them. Raise your hand if you never ordered from “Spruce,” as many abbreviate it. OK, no hands. I thought so. It wasn’t always so. When current president Jim Irwin was a lad, his mother Flo and father Bob ran Fullerton Air Parts. After a decade mom Flo Irwin started another business at home, featuring a single product: aircraft-grade lumber …hence “Aircraft Spruce.” Spruce …and So Much More Well, supplying wood to build airplanes is ancient history now, you might say. If you said this, you would not be alone but you’d be absolutely wrong. On a recent tour of the bustling enterprise headquarters in Corona, California, the first thing Bryan Toepfer showed us was the lumber shop.

First Rotax 915iS Engines Arrive in USA; Shipped to Customers

By Dan Johnson || March 1, 2018 7 Comments

As the 2018 flying season launches, a long-awaited powerplant from Rotax Aircraft Engines is beginning to arrive in the USA and to be shipped on to customers for installation.

Pilots and builders seeking more power can welcome the Rotax 915iS fuel-injected, turbo-charged, intercooler-equipped 135-horsepower engine. Talk about a kick in the pants! The engine recently won certification for use on aircraft where such approvals are valuable.

"California Power Systems is proud to announce the first customer delivery of a Rotax 915iS going to Mark and Alina Pringle of Rocky Mountain Kit Planes to install in a Rans S-21 Outbound," reported Bryan Toepfer, operations manager of CPS, an enterprise related to mail order behemoth, Aircraft Spruce. "We have another one shipping today for a customer building a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL," Bryan noted. He continued, "Two more are on the way from Rotax in Austria to be installed in a couple of gyros." According to California Power Systems — a major supplier and service organization for Rotax — customer demand has been high. "We have had many customers excited for this engine," Bryan explained. "I am very pleased to see this new market evolve for Rotax as well as CPS."

Flying 915iS

We've reported that several airframe manufacturers — "OEMs" in Rotax's preferred language — have been flying with the newest engine from market-leading Rotax. Enthusiasm for the 915iS is broad. The rollout of this engine was carefully planned by Rotax to ensure good end-customer experiences. As the powerplant has added complexity with the turbo charger and intercooler and carries a higher price tag, good preparation is essential.

Bryan enthusiastically reported, "I had a recent opportunity to fly with the 915is on Rotax guru, Ronnie Smith's Rans S-7 that he is testing. I was very impressed!" Ronnie, proprietor of South Mississippi Light Aircraft has been a Rotax expert for many years and you can often see him and his signature smile — and his Mississippi drawl — in the Rotax booth just inside the main entrance at Sun 'n Fun.

Bryan is likewise doing his job as head of operations for CPS. "I was also able to visit the factory in October 2017 to do some training on the new engine." I am very pleased with the design and performance it offers."

So keen is his approval that Bryan added, "I am sure within the next few months one of these beautiful wooden crates will be arriving with my name on it." Can you feel his smile?

For pilots, builders, or repair shops interested in information on the 915is, or for those ready to place an order please visit the California Power Systems website, or call 800-247-9653.

As the 2018 flying season launches, a long-awaited powerplant from Rotax Aircraft Engines is beginning to arrive in the USA and to be shipped on to customers for installation. Pilots and builders seeking more power can welcome the Rotax 915iS fuel-injected, turbo-charged, intercooler-equipped 135-horsepower engine. Talk about a kick in the pants! The engine recently won certification for use on aircraft where such approvals are valuable. “California Power Systems is proud to announce the first customer delivery of a Rotax 915iS going to Mark and Alina Pringle of Rocky Mountain Kit Planes to install in a Rans S-21 Outbound,” reported Bryan Toepfer, operations manager of CPS, an enterprise related to mail order behemoth, Aircraft Spruce. “We have another one shipping today for a customer building a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL,” Bryan noted. He continued, “Two more are on the way from Rotax in Austria to be installed in a couple of gyros.” According to California Power Systems — a major supplier and service organization for Rotax — customer demand has been high.

Aircraft Spruce — Wires Your Panel for You

By Dan Johnson || June 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

https://youtu.be/bKhO7owik7s For many homebuilders, the process goes like this: You get and assemble the airframe and its control surfaces. You install the landing gear, engine, and other components. You work on the interior. Maybe you even paint it yourself. Where many get somewhat overwhelmed, though, is the wiring needed to install a model avionics panel. Mechanical skills and electrical wiring to digital screens represent different skills. Aircraft Spruce, that supplier of all many of parts builders need, swoops in to rescue those builders. Hear what they can do for you in this video.

For many homebuilders, the process goes like this: You get and assemble the airframe and its control surfaces. You install the landing gear, engine, and other components. You work on the interior. Maybe you even paint it yourself. Where many get somewhat overwhelmed, though, is the wiring needed to install a model avionics panel. Mechanical skills and electrical wiring to digital screens represent different skills. Aircraft Spruce, that supplier of all many of parts builders need, swoops in to rescue those builders. Hear what they can do for you in this video.

You Like Aircraft Spruce — They Thank Customers

By Dan Johnson || May 15, 2017 Leave a Comment

Does any aviator in the country not know the name Aircraft Spruce? Odds are overwhelming that you have one of their thick catalogs chock full of every part, panel gear, tool, and aeronautical doo-dad on the market. They are known to stock many hard-to-find items. Almost as likely, you've bought something from Aircraft Spruce. Maybe you are regular customer. The company started out west in California and that's still the main hub. Yet for eastern aviation enthusiasts, the company maintains a facility in the Atlanta, Georgia area. They also have a Canada-based outlet. This Saturday, May 20th, is Customer Appreciation Day (CAD) in Peachtree City. Aircraft Spruce East will host its annual event on Saturday the 20th — just a few days from now! — from 8 AM to 4 PM. Those driving in can enter 452 Dividend Drive in Peachtree City, Georgia on your GPS unit. Those flying in will find it beside the Atlanta area's Falcon Field (KFFC); the company offers a free shuttle service from KFFC to Aircraft Spruce for all attendees flying into the airport. Popular aviation products will be specially priced to provide additional savings to those who visit the facility for the event. There will be a number of raffle prizes given out during the day. Aircraft Spruce will be offering a free shuttle service from KFFC to Aircraft Spruce for all attendees flying into the airport for the event.

"This is the time of year when we go all out by offering spectacular discounts on our most popular products and provide a chance for our loyal customers to meet our vendors," said Aircraft Spruce representatives. You might even win a free AvMap Engibox. Those looking for expert advice will find it as Aircraft Spruce brings in representatives from many leading aviation products to demonstrate and discuss the benefits of their products. Additionally, the Falcon RV Squadron is hosting their spring 2017 RV fly-in and cookout on the same day as the CAD event. If you have, or are interested in building, an RV aircraft they invite you to join the party. EAA will coordinate with Aircraft Spruce to provide a couple of their well-regarded, hands-on workshops so if you're working on an RV-12 (or any RV model), click here for info. RV or not, builder or not, Aircraft Spruce invites you to come join the fun and get a chance to win big prizes. "Enjoy a free southern smokin' cookout & soda on us," the company urges! Aircraft Spruce is a significant sponsor of this website helping us to provide content to you, so we encourage southeastern pilots to check out Customer Appreciate Day at the company's Peachtree outlet. Find out more at the company's special website page or call 770-487-2310. For western customers, this special Customer Appreciation Day will occur on October 7th, 2017.

Does any aviator in the country not know the name Aircraft Spruce? Odds are overwhelming that you have one of their thick catalogs chock full of every part, panel gear, tool, and aeronautical doo-dad on the market. They are known to stock many hard-to-find items. Almost as likely, you’ve bought something from Aircraft Spruce. Maybe you are regular customer. The company started out west in California and that’s still the main hub. Yet for eastern aviation enthusiasts, the company maintains a facility in the Atlanta, Georgia area. They also have a Canada-based outlet. This Saturday, May 20th, is Customer Appreciation Day (CAD) in Peachtree City. Aircraft Spruce East will host its annual event on Saturday the 20th — just a few days from now! — from 8 AM to 4 PM. Those driving in can enter 452 Dividend Drive in Peachtree City, Georgia on your GPS unit.

California Power System Announces Rotax Classes

By Dan Johnson || January 22, 2017 2 Comments

Rotax Maintenance Classes — If you are a professional or wanna-be pro in the maintenance or overhaul of Rotax engines, you must take factory-approved training. You have choices in such training by recently California Power Systems announced a series of classes. • Rotax 2-Stroke Service Course is for technicians wanting to rebuild or maintain all water-cooled and air-cooled 2-stroke Rotax aircraft engines. Learn to perform a complete engine rebuild with failure analysis and a focus on preventative maintenance. —March 6-7, 2017. • Rotax 912 / 914 Service Class is for technicians wanting to service 912-series engines or owners wanting to do their own scheduled maintenance. This course will give any FAA A&P or LSA Repairman certificate holder the credentials to perform all scheduled maintenance and level #1 troubleshooting procedures. —March 8-9, 2017. • Other classes include: a 912 / 914 Maintenance Class for technicians wanting to perform more in depth maintenance tasks. —March 10-11, 2017; 2 Stroke and 912 / 914 Renewal Course for current iRMT license holders. —March 12, 2017; and, a 912 / 914 Heavy Maintenance Class for professional mechanics. —March 13-15, 2017. All classes are held at California Power Systems' training facility at the Chino Airport (KCNO). Visit the CPS website for all details. You can also call Bryan Toepfer at 800-247-9653 x302 or email Bryan. See California Power Systems representatives at Sebring Expo 2017.

Rotax Maintenance Classes — If you are a professional or wanna-be pro in the maintenance or overhaul of Rotax engines, you must take factory-approved training. You have choices in such training by recently California Power Systems announced a series of classes. • Rotax 2-Stroke Service Course is for technicians wanting to rebuild or maintain all water-cooled and air-cooled 2-stroke Rotax aircraft engines. Learn to perform a complete engine rebuild with failure analysis and a focus on preventative maintenance. —March 6-7, 2017. • Rotax 912 / 914 Service Class is for technicians wanting to service 912-series engines or owners wanting to do their own scheduled maintenance. This course will give any FAA A&P or LSA Repairman certificate holder the credentials to perform all scheduled maintenance and level #1 troubleshooting procedures. —March 8-9, 2017. • Other classes include: a 912 / 914 Maintenance Class for technicians wanting to perform more in depth maintenance tasks.

Paul Poberezny’s Home Like You’ve Never Seen It

By Dan Johnson || January 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

Have you ever flown the ultralight area pattern at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh? Quite a few readers of ByDanJohnson.com have done so or have at least seen their buddy's photo or video while flying above the world's most famous airshow.

Usually the aerial views you see are of the jam-packed area to the north with giant military airplanes, bizjets, and innumerable groupings of all manner of aircraft from spam cans to homebuilts and everything in between.

Those of us who love light (lightest) aviation are drawn to the ultralight area... "down on the farm" ...the area now cleverly named "Fun Fly Zone." If you fly the weirdly shaped pattern of the ultralight area, you have almost certainly seen EAA founder Paul Poberezny's house with a view that might look something like the one above (courtesy Google Earth).

"Pope Paul" died August 22, 2013 at the age of 91 after a amazing career spanning more than 70 years of flying and building arguably the most interesting member organization in aviation.

Back in 2004 and 2005, when I consulted EAA about the then-new Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft initiative, I visited Paul at his final home. I was focused on my talk with the man but he showed me around his mini-museum on the premises. That was a too-brief but highly personal glimpse of aviation history as captured by Paul.

I didn't see all he had in his collection but maybe now I'll get another chance.

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty announced, "[We have] purchased the former home of Paul and Audrey Poberezny in Oshkosh and will make the home available to the EAA for tours and special events." The original stone farmhouse is over 100 years old.

"This home hosted many of aviation's leaders and icons. [It houses] countless aviation artifacts and photos representing the relationships and events that shaped Paul's remarkable life ... providing insight into the lifetime passion and vision of one of aviation's greatest leaders," added Aircraft Spruce.

"Contact EAA for details on visiting the Poberezny home beginning in the summer of 2017," advised Aircraft Spruce. Cool! I'll bet many will take them up on this opportunity. Thanks to Aircraft Spruce for preserving this aspect of American aviation history!

Have you ever flown the ultralight area pattern at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh? Quite a few readers of ByDanJohnson.com have done so or have at least seen their buddy’s photo or video while flying above the world’s most famous airshow. Usually the aerial views you see are of the jam-packed area to the north with giant military airplanes, bizjets, and innumerable groupings of all manner of aircraft from spam cans to homebuilts and everything in between. Those of us who love light (lightest) aviation are drawn to the ultralight area… “down on the farm” …the area now cleverly named “Fun Fly Zone.” If you fly the weirdly shaped pattern of the ultralight area, you have almost certainly seen EAA founder Paul Poberezny‘s house with a view that might look something like the one above (courtesy Google Earth). “Pope Paul” died August 22, 2013 at the age of 91 after a amazing career spanning more than 70 years of flying and building arguably the most interesting member organization in aviation.

Avionics (Instruments) for Big and Little Guys

By Dan Johnson || October 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

I guess I'm still old fashioned. I still call those things in front of the pilot "instruments," although the preferred term for a panelful of them shifted to "avionics." At least most people and I have stopped using "gauges." Choose the term that works for you, but mail order giant Aircraft Spruce just sent offerings to builders, whether at home or in a factory. "Spruce," as many abbreviate the Southern California-based company, serves a broad range of aircraft markets.

For big or small aircraft, people seem to like Belite Electronics (sibling to Belite Aircraft most recently of Skydock fame). A former tech entrepreneur, James Wiebe designs airplanes certainly appears at home with electronics. He's developed a wide range of very light, very low energy use, very accurate instruments.

"Come to Aircraft Spruce for your favorite Belite products," said Aircraft Spruce reps. Visit the company's web page for Belite Radiant instruments. The new instruments combine many functions into simple and small, lightweight units. "Belite has created these new units with one specific feature in mind: persistence," noted Spruce.

Radiant Instrument will graphically display the last 30 minutes of fuel level information along with current fuel level, providing pilots with the ability to look at information on displays screens, to ensure a safer flight. Belite's Radiant Instruments are designed for a standard 2.25-inch cutout, using up to 100 milliamps of power from a supply of 8 to 14 volts. All instruments are dimmable, Spruce clarified.

Belite's instruments will be of interest to kit builders, ultralight fans, and to manufacturers of Light-Sport Aircraft. Those from Sandia Aerospace are better suited to LSA and larger aircraft. This Albuquerque, New Mexico company earned attention when they offered their drop-in EFIS at AirVenture by giving away a free aerobatic flight with purchase of the new digital instrument. It can fill a space in a panel as a back-up instrument.

A range of Sandia products are available from Aircraft Spruce. Sandia Aerospace produces high quality transponders, altitude encoders, airdata computers, avionics cooling fans, and Marc 70 interface modules. "We offer wire harnessing and custom coaxial assemblies to make shopping for a Sandia Aerospace transponder all one convenient shopping experience for your aircraft needs, said Aircraft Spruce.

For more information on Belite or Sandia avionics offerings, please contact Aircraft Spruce at 877-477-7823 or 951-372-9555.

Aircraft Spruce's complete product line is available online at www.aircraftspruce.com. Request a free copy of the company's mammoth 1,100-page catalog. The catalog is available in print, on a CD, or in PDF format.

If wiring up the panel in your light kit aircraft or ultralight, Aircraft Spruce is again at the ready to assist you. In fact, they'll do all the hard work, which can hasten you to flight. Check out this video with Ryan Deck.

I guess I’m still old fashioned. I still call those things in front of the pilot “instruments,” although the preferred term for a panelful of them shifted to “avionics.” At least most people and I have stopped using “gauges.” Choose the term that works for you, but mail order giant Aircraft Spruce just sent offerings to builders, whether at home or in a factory. “Spruce,” as many abbreviate the Southern California-based company, serves a broad range of aircraft markets. For big or small aircraft, people seem to like Belite Electronics (sibling to Belite Aircraft most recently of Skydock fame). A former tech entrepreneur, James Wiebe designs airplanes certainly appears at home with electronics. He’s developed a wide range of very light, very low energy use, very accurate instruments. “Come to Aircraft Spruce for your favorite Belite products,” said Aircraft Spruce reps. Visit the company’s web page for Belite Radiant instruments.

Aircraft Spruce—WideBody FK9—Icon in Tijuana

By Dan Johnson || September 5, 2016 Leave a Comment

Article Updated 9/7/15 — See new information at the bottom of this article.

Coming up TOMORROW! — September 8-9-10, 2016 — is the Midwest LSA Expo. I'm on-site for all three days in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. More info: Midwest LSA Expo. Only six years after Steve Jobs proudly announced the first iPad, the tablet device seems to have fully conquered aviation. Airline captains routinely use iPads in lieu of bulky printed instrument charts. GA airplane owners with analog panels commonly use an iPad to join the digital revolution without needing to get FAA's permission. And, LSA developers often accommodate the iDevice; indeed, some Light-Sports make do solely with iPads, occasionally multiple devices. Despite his visionary prowess, I bet Steve Jobs never imagined such a result. Unfortunately, he didn't live long enough to see the cockpit transformation his gizmo caused.

However, if you've flown with an iPad, you know you need some way to hold it that allows access to its wealth of information without interfering with airplane operation. No problem. Aircraft Spruce is now offering AirGizmos Airmounts with fixed, tilt, and suction capabilities for your iPad Mini or iPad Air. GA pilots (or anyone with a panel full of steam gauges) can use mount designed to fit standard 3.125-inch instrument holes. The AirGizmos Airmount can be placed on your panel and hold securely," said Aircraft Spruce reps. "With Tilt Mount, AirGizmo allows for a 16-degree tilt up or down for a convenient viewing while flying. For those looking for a mount for a rental aircraft, or a lack of space on their panel, try the suction mount. The AirGizmo with Suction Mount holds your iPad securely using a heavy duty suction cup to attach it to your windshield or any other smooth surface." As the nearby image shows, the mounts can also work for Android devices. Aircraft Spruce's complete product line is available at the company website. Readers may request a complimentary copy of the company's free 1,000+ page catalog here (available in print, CD, or PDF formats).

One of the longest-selling, still-in-production light aircraft is the FK Lightplanes FK9. It was first debuted at the 1989 Aero show in Germany, giving this venerable model a 27-year history, a few months longer than another veteran, Tecnam's P92 Echo. Both have seen numerous variations on the theme and both have worn the passage of time like a comfortable coat. More than 500 FK9s are flying. In the last year, FK Lightplanes — formerly a German company now based in Poland and run by a South African — addressed frequent comments from FK9 pilots seeking more space. "We launched a WideBody version of our FK9 MkV model," said company director Roland Hallam. The difference is 10 centimeters or about four inches, but that width change makes more difference than it sounds from the number alone. As some experts have noted, you cannot perceive the extra width from the outside of this handsome airplane but you will enjoy it once inside. In addition, as you can see in the nearby photo, FK Lightplanes has also added amphibious floats to the FK9. "We had already installed straight floats to the FK9 MkV but — working with Czech developer Josef Fillinger — we installed amphibious floats on our WideBody, including four retractable gear." Roland added, "Unfortunately, the amphib float system alone weighs 264 pounds, so we can only sell this version into the 600-kg LSA countries, like you guys in the States." The WideBody version also gained outside access to the luggage compartment that can hold up to 22 pounds. Find out more about FK Lightplanes in the USA by contacting Hansen Air Group.

According to an online news report from Tijuana, Mexico, "Icon Aircraft announced ... the establishment of a production plant in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, [to build] the entire structure for A5." Icon reportedly expects the plant to be completed in early 2017 after which the operation will be "delivering structures of carbon fiber fuselages to its facilities in [Vacaville], California for final assemble and flight testing." The report continued, "Icon will begin its serialized production and has selected the city of Tijuana as the ideal location for the production of composite components because of Tijuana's established industrial infrastructure, skilled, labor, and proximity to the Vacaville, California factory." "With an investment of more than $150 million and employment for over 1,000 people, this event marks the prelude to a significant project that will benefit both the city and the country," the report detailed. A presentation ceremony is planned for Thursday, September 8th at the Tijuana Cultural Center at which the report said Icon CEO Kirk Hawkins will be joined by Mexican government authorities and private sector representatives. Plans back in 2012 called for Cirrus Design to make Icon A5 composite parts in one of its Minnesota facilities but this plan has not been mentioned in company announcements since. Perhaps now we know why. Article Updated 9/7/15 — After I broke this story thanks to a tip from an alert regular reader, other aviation media jumped on the hot news and Icon followed with a formal news release.

On September 7, 2016 Icon announced "the construction of a new facility in Tijuana, Mexico as part of a revised production plan announced in May. The company decided to produce its own composite components, a manufacturing process that was previously outsourced to several suppliers." The new facility, which Icon reports will start operations in November, 2016, covers approximately 300,000 square feet and will fabricate composite components for the A5. CEO and Founder Kirk Hawkins said, "By bringing composite fabrication in-house, we will be able to ensure that components meet Icon's strict quality and cost standards while also allowing us to more rapidly implement changes." Thomas Wieners, Icon's VP of Manufacturing, led construction and operation of Bombardier Recreational Products' (BRP) facility in Querétaro, Mexico, where the company related to Rotax Aircraft Engines makes Sea-Doo watercraft and other products. He said TIjuana is "ideal" for Icon because of the Mexican city's "infrastructure and skilled labor force, including composites and aerospace expertise."

Article Updated 9/7/15 — See new information at the bottom of this article. Coming up TOMORROW! — September 8-9-10, 2016 — is the Midwest LSA Expo. I’m on-site for all three days in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. More info: Midwest LSA Expo. Only six years after Steve Jobs proudly announced the first iPad, the tablet device seems to have fully conquered aviation. Airline captains routinely use iPads in lieu of bulky printed instrument charts. GA airplane owners with analog panels commonly use an iPad to join the digital revolution without needing to get FAA’s permission. And, LSA developers often accommodate the iDevice; indeed, some Light-Sports make do solely with iPads, occasionally multiple devices. Despite his visionary prowess, I bet Steve Jobs never imagined such a result. Unfortunately, he didn’t live long enough to see the cockpit transformation his gizmo caused. However, if you’ve flown with an iPad, you know you need some way to hold it that allows access to its wealth of information without interfering with airplane operation.