ByDanJohnson.com

More Great Content — Professional aviation photographer James Lawrence (top left) coaches pilots on setting up a photo mission to capture the FPNA Cape Town amphibian. While aloft, I couldn’t resist taking a shot of him in reflection (in left seat).

The Internet has transformed life in countless ways. Running an e-commerce website involves providing useful services, most commonly at no cost to visitors. In keeping with this new paradigm, several of the most popular features on ByDanJohnson.com are free — PlaneFinder 2.0; LSA Videos; SLSA List; FIRM List; LSA Market Info, Industry database; many articles; and, of course, “SPLOG.” *** Call it our Christmas present to you… SPLOG now welcomes Plane & Pilot magazine LSA Editor James Lawrence and his “Hangar Flyin” blog. Jim and I write often about LSA topics and you will now be able to read all of our posts in this one location …all archived back to the beginning of LSA. You can expect to read 200 posts a year or one every other day, keeping you aware of the latest and greatest in Light-Sport Aircraft *** Jim is an extraordinarily talented fellow. If you’ve looked at beautiful photos gracing aviation magazine covers or the pilot reports inside, you’ve probably seen Jim’s work. He’s done more than 500 air-to-air shoots (a huge number, I know from personal experience). And he has a friendly and entertaining writing style I think you’ll love. *** Near the end of each of Jim’s blog posts we’ll provide a link to his complete blog at Plane & Pilot magazine’s website, which will further link you to their large body of work in aviation. (Plane & Pilot has the second-largest circulation of any non-membership aviation magazine worldwide).

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An important development in the globalization of sport flight was just announced by Flight Design, the German maker of the CT line of LSA that leads in sales here in the U.S. *** The parent company announced its CT line had received Type Design Approval TDA-LSA-0001A from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), as well as a Chinese Production Certificate. *** That number is important: the CT will forever be the very first foreign LSA allowed to be sold in China. Although the Skycatcher is in fact manufactured for Cessna in China, it is not yet certified to be sold and flown in China, though that day can’t be too far down the road. *** The potential benefit to sport aviation is huge. *** Not only is China reportedly building general aviation airports all over the huge nation – a significant change from earlier domestic policy to help its exploding middle class enjoy the fruits of its labors – but its willingness to allow foreign manufacturers to sell their wares signals the first wave of what could prove to be a huge market worldwide. *** American manufacturers are surely going to want to be in on this potential boom as it unfolds. *** Flight Design’s CEO Matthias Betsch noted that the company underwent a full certification audit process for the approval. Chinese authorities, according to the news release, were complimentary of Flight Design for its high production quality, good flying track record and ongoing attention to improving the CT line. *** More than 1,500 Flight Design aircraft are now operational in 39 countries world wide. *** And with LAMA, EASA, ISO TUV Nord and now CAAC approval, the company’s global prestige can’t help but expand. *** We’re not just in Kansas any more, Toto.

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Remos, German makers of the popular Remos GX composite SLSA, has been the subject of a lot of wagging tongues the last few days. Rumors abound as to what it all means, with innuendo-slinging around the company’s alleged lack of timely disclosure surrounding its financial difficulties. *** The man who seems to have his finger on the pulse of the story and its nuances is LAMA President and Light Sport go-to dude Dan Johnson, who I talked with at length about the subject this morning. *** Dan’s ByDanJohnson.com jam-packed aviation info website has the scoop in his Splog (Sport pilot’s blog) so rather than do a thinly veiled rehash of what he told me, you can go here and get it straight from the old Pegasus’s mouth himself, and also read the company’s official release today right here. *** Short tell: word got out that Remos had a cash flow problem, was subsequently required under German finance law to file for insolvency status (not the same nor as dire a portent of financial ailment as a U.S. bankruptcy), then received another infusion of investor capital, and according to company spokesmen is sailing brightly once again into the future. *** We can all hope Remos turns the corner as the importance of its contributions to the LSA industry’s robustitude and image is undeniable. *** —photo courtesy Remos

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The newspaper Bay Of Plenty Times just posted a story bylined by Julia Proverbs that the popular Australian SLSA Jabiru has migrated to its down-under neighbor New Zealand. A flight school run by Euroflight International of Tauranga, (north island) just bought and flew two Jabiru LSA models to replace the school’s aging Cessna 150s. *** Pilots Tim Holland and Ross Crawford made the formation flight of around 1500 nm over the Tasman Sea in a new J230 and a slightly used J120 . *** Gutsy Call Dept: Holland reportedly doesn’t swim! Talk about confidence in your aircraft. (SAT phones, rafts and other survival gear were on board, so we know he’s not completely crazy). *** “Earlier this year , we decided to upgrade our fleet,” said Holland’s wife, *** Euroflight co-owner Anita Holland. “We were looking for something which would make flight training safe, affordable and fun…(and decided on a) composite aircraft …due to strength, durability and no risk of the dreaded corrosion. *** The delivery makes the Jabiru the first LSA to be registered in NZ, fresh on the heels of the Light Sport category just being officially adopted in Kiwi country. *** In the article, the Jabiru were praised, in the face of local fuel prices that have quadrupled, as higher-performing, cheaper-flying flight training alternatives to their fleet of Cessna 150s. *** Tim Holland was quoted as saying he looks forward to offering lessons at 1999 prices again. *** —photos courtesy Jabiru Aircraft and homeexchange.com

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SportairUSA, North American distributor for Sting and Sirius LSA models, just launched an interesting sales/service program for “pre-owned” LSA that should prove attractive for buyers and sellers alike. *** Here’s the pitch: *** SportairUSA will sell every pre-owned LSA that’s certified for the program with a six month, 50 hour warranty. *** Bonus: five hours of ground training and five hours of transition flight orientation will be included in the sale, including a biannual flight review. *** Bennies for the buyer: *** The flight training, and confidence that the bird has been “thoroughly inspected and maintained by experienced technicians.” That includes any repairs needed for certification in the program, using OEM parts. *** Bennies for the seller: *** Excellent market exposure to potential buyers, SportairUSA’s reputation and resources behind the sale, and free hangaring, maintainence and any needed repairs along the way – only with the seller’s approval, and at no cost until the airplane is sold. *** What I really like about the program: The inclusion of the flight training, a major concern of LSA insurers due to the high accident rate during first flights by new owners, including experienced GA pilots who tend to minimize the importance of thoroughly learning the LSA flight regime. By insisting on a standard for flight training at all stages of aircraft acquisition, SportairUSA is adding its vote for safer LSA flight, which portends lower costs for all in the long run. *** Programs like this also promise a maturing LSA infrastructure that will help the industry grow and gain respectability as we climb out of the economic doldrums. *** Contact for info on the program: 888-359-7572. *** —photo courtesy SportairUSA

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Holy Economics 101, Batman! *** X-Air LLC just sent out a release that caught my eye. *** X-Air is the Bend, Oregon-based LSA manufacturer that makes an ultralight-style flivver directly targeted at those recreational flyers and wingabees (flight-dreaming wannabes, get it?) on a tuna sandwich budget. *** The tube-and-fabric, fun-flying X-Air LS has a lot to offer for those less concerned with high-bucks style and more motivated by low-cost substance, in this case saving the Benjamins during flight training. *** A new X-Air LS goes for around $60,000 and burns 4 gal/hr! That translates into low-cost flight training, as well as dirt-cheap recreational-flight renting or club/shared ownership flying. *** The basic Sport Pilot license, with the minimum 20 in-flight training hour requirement, is already affordable when compared with a Private Pilot’s license. *** Now, students could find themselves spending 50 clams per hour instead of 200 in a Skyhawk. Cutting flight costs only increases the likelihood that students will fly more, or more often, making for better, safer pilots in the long run. *** I flew the X-Air a year ago but we haven’t run the pilot report in the mag yet…too many airplanes, too few pages. I’ll hope to hop a ride in the LS at Sebring in Jan. 2010 and bring you the report. *** The short tell is the X-Air does just fine working a good part of the LSA performance envelope, with a max cruise speed of 104 mph, 39 mph stall speed and a 574 lb. useful load. *** —photo courtesy X-Air

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AOPA kicked off its annual Aviation Summit, in Tampa, FL this year, with a pretty cool announcement: it’s annual Sweepstakes Giveaway aircraft will be an LSA: the Remos GX. *** The news here is this is the very first time the pilot’s membership organization has made their big prize a Light Sport airplane. *** Remos is serious about becoming top dog in the LSA sales race as it continues to heavily promote its aircraft and support services far and wide. Although still #4 in overall U.S. LSA sales, Remos aircraft have been selling at a faster clip than any other manufacturer the last year or so. *** Meanwhile, AOPA Prez Craig Fuller, Remos Mng. Dir. Corvin Huber, and our pal, LAMA Pres. Dan Johnson led the unveiling of the Remos before the attendees at Tampa’s Convention Center this morning. *** “Fun to Fly” is the theme of the sweepstakes. The winner will be announced at next year’s summit in Long Beach, CA and should be a happy puppy: the Remos GX will include a ballistic parachute and air bags, Dynon MFD and autopilot, a panel-mount Garmin 496, leather seats and other upgrades to be announced down the road. *** —photo courtesy Remos

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AMD, makers of the Chris Heinz-designed Zodiac CH601XL and CH650 light sport/experimental built aircraft, just got some bad news from the FAA. *** In its Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-10-08, FAA urged pilots and current builders not to fly either model until they make structural modifications to the aircraft. *** Yet another accident involving a CH601XL brings the number to five in the U.S. and several overseas, with numerous fatalities reported. Consistent reports of control surface flutter and in-flight structural failure have plagued descriptions of the accidents. *** FAA directed its recommendation at: “all serial numbers, including special light-sport category aircraft (S-LSA), experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA), and experimental amateur-built aircraft” of the two models, citing “several areas of concern regarding the CH601XL…that may impact the overall safety of the design. Those causing the greatest concern are as follows: *** Wing structure: …the basic static strength of the CH601XL/CH650 does not appear to meet the intent of the ASTM standards… *** Structural Stability: …buckling in the wing structure, including in the center section. *** Flutter: …The FAA believes flutter may either be a first order root cause of in-flight structural failure or a secondary cause after some initial wing structural deformation or twisting. *** Airspeed calibration: Calibration procedures do not appear to adequately account for basic static pressure source error due to the location of the static port…The situation could lead to the potential of operating the airplane above the maneuver speed and/or the design cruise speed, potentially leading to structural failure. *** Stick force characteristics: Flight test data from foreign authorities indicates at aft center of gravity the stick forces become very light.” *** A Safety Directive/Safety Alert from AMD is expected soon. Recommendations will reportedly include structural changes to the airframe. *** —photo courtesy AMD

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Hungry for something new about electric flight, I swapped emails with Tom Peghiny yesterday. Tom’s the majordomo of Flight Design USA (top-selling CTLS LSA) and Flightstar (longtime maker of 3-axis control ultralights.) *** e-Spyder, the electric-powered single-seat ultralight he’s developing in congress with Yuneec, the powerhouse electric aircraft manufacturer that recently opened a 250,000 sq. ft. plant in China. *** Tom filled me in on the evolution of the production prototype. Denny Franklin, the Gyro Gearloose (i.e. intuitively brilliant) engineer and designer behind venerable designs such as the Drifter ultralight, is working up a longer wing with a sheared tip. *** Equally legendary hang glider sailmaker Steve Pearson of Wills Wing (top hang glider mfg.) is making a pattern for the new wing that will use a higher-camber airfoil than the first prototype. *** Wills will make the envelopes for the e-Spyder from a laminate covering material that’s 35% lighter than the 4 oz. Dacron sailcloth traditionally used for tube-and-fabric ultralights and hang gliders. *** Weight is the key in these early days of production electric flight, so lighter 7075-T6 aluminum tubing will be used for the wing frame. *** Cured Composites is tooling up to build a new, more aerodynamic front fairing and a carbon fiber motor mount and battery box. The Yuneec electric motor will be streamlined as well. *** Can’t wait to see this next iteration. 2009 should be a great year for electrics. *** To whit: Yuneec has ordered two prototypes and a two-seater airframe from Tom to train with in China. Could a two-seat electric ultralight be just over the horizon as well? *** Stay tuned… *** —photos courtesy Flightstar

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More haps on the electric flight front: At Yuneec Aircraft’s new 250K sq. foot factory airfield in Shanghai, China, Gerard Thevenot, the pioneering French hang glider designer and pilot who blazed foot-launched trails starting in the 1970s, set an electric-flight endurance record in a Yuneec-powered hang glider. *** Flying his own trike design, the go-juice came from a new “longer version” of Yuneec’s Power Drive 10Kw motor system. The flight lasted 1 hour 16 minutes. *** The news here for LSA followers is the ongoing commitment Yuneec has to powering all types of light sport aircraft, from hang gliders, paragliders and trikes like Thevenot’s to the ongoing development of the e-430 two-seat LSA we’ve talked about this year in Plane & Pilot. *** According to Yuneec’s website, Thevenot reportedly made just a couple test flights, then jumped up and set the record. He’s hoping to increase the duration to 1 1/2 hours any day now. *** I don’t know about you, but the thought of plugging in my airplane overnight, then flying around for an hour or so without all that mess and bother with fossil fuels has me counting battery sheep at night. *** —photos courtesy Yuneec Aircraft

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My former rock-and-rollin’ Sport Pilot flight instructor and flying buddy John Lampson and I took advantage of the gorgeous New England fall weather yesterday to sharpen up with a Flight Design CTSW thanks to another old flying pal, Flight Design USA prez Tom Peghiny. *** John and I revisited the spirited handling of the SW by jumping up to 3,000 feet and cruising through glass-smooth air over the lovely Connecticut and Massachusetts countryside, cloaked now in the gray wiskers of leafless trees. *** I also caught up with some of the latest developments for the company, including the new postage stamp released in China featuring the CTLS. *** The CT is the only LSA in the aviation stamp series, which also included GA aircraft from Cessna, Cirrus and Diamond. *** I wonder if President Obama is being made aware that private aviation is beginning to happen in China, as airstrips and infrastructure are being built all over the country for a burgeoning middle class that wants to fly. *** India is also growing a private aviation sector. The first two CTLS were just registered in India and will be used for flight training. *** Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Flight Design USA added three new flight schools to its Flight Design Pilot Center (FDPC) network. The company now numbers 19 flight schools using its LSA, and 38 flight instructors specifically trained to teach in the CT line. *** The latest additions are LSA New England, Hampton, NH, Copper City Aviation Services, Brisbee, AZ and Pilot’s Choice Aviation, Georgetown, Texas. *** Flight Design believes they’ve set up the largest LSA flight center program in the U.S. *** Finally, to counter those naysayers you come across now and then who suggest LSA are not up to the rigors of regular flight training, Flight Design offers this interesting rebuttal: a German-registered CT2K, the long-wing, first-gen model of the best-selling CT line, just logged its 13,268th landing! *** The milestone event went down at Jesenwang (say that three times fast) airfield in Germany, where it’s been in service as a flight school basic trainer since 2003. The plane has racked up almost 3,000 hours of flight time, is on its second Rotax engine and still operates daily at the 1,300-foot strip. *** In consideration of the global economic crisis, Tom P. notes in a recent release that “We have quite a few airplanes in daily revenue generating operations…It only takes about five active students to make this plane completely self funding.” *** FD Germany adds that the general word from the field is CTs spend very little time in the shop. That’s good news for any flight operation. *** Bringing it all home, I learned to fly in the CTLS but, as John L. and I rediscovered yesterday whilst hopping in and out of Rob Albright’s grass strip at Crow Island, MA, the CTSW remains one sweet, fun, fast, sporty LSA that really is fun to fly. *** —photos courtesy Flight Design. CTSW photo shot by John Dunham

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The hubbub continues to brew around airworthiness concerns for the AMD Zodiac 601 and it’s sibling 650 model. Scroll down this page for background on the story. *** Spicing up worries over Zodiac airworthiness comes news of a potential conflict between NTSB and FAA regarding what level of action the fedgov should have taken – months ago. *** Timeline… *** Thursday: For the first time ever, FAA ordered no new airworthiness certificates will be issued for the entire fleet of Zodiac CH-601XL series aircraft until safety mods are installed. *** Friday: NTSB, in an advisory news release, reported yet another Zodiac in-flight break-up – and fatality. The Board took the opportunity to remind us that it had urgently recommended to FAA – back in April 2009 – that it ground the design, after numerous crashes and fatalities, until the problem was effectively addressed by the manufacturers (AMD for SLSA, Zenith for kits). *** FAA had already implemented, last week in its Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB CE-10-08 – see blog entry below) a de facto grounding of those aircraft not in compliance with modifications put out by AMD, to resolve aerodynamic flutter and other related concerns. *** But: FAA’s action only addressed manufactured versions not in compliance with the mods. It did not include experimentally-built versions, of which there are hundreds out there flying or being built. Only voluntary grounding of homebuilts was advised by FAA and Zenith. *** The Kicker: this latest Zodiac crash was indeed a homebuilt version of the troubled design. NTSB in its release seems to be saying, “Told you so – now please do something about it!” *** FAA’s position in April was that there was insufficient justification to ground the entire fleet. *** Another Zodiac pilot is dead. The obvious question: Could that life have been saved by sterner FAA intervention last Spring? *** Meanwhile, Zenith , FAA and EAA now recommend – but still do not require – that all Zodiac CH-650 and CH-601XL aircraft remain grounded until mods are effected. *** If no stronger directive is forthcoming, “It can’t happen to me” types might not make the mods, keep flying, and pay the ultimate price. *** If ever there was a time for mandatory grounding, wouldn’t this be that time? *** My POV: *** Again I ask the question — what precisely is the rationale for not installing parachutes in every LSA — or GA aircraft for that matter — when available? *** How many of the dozen or so Zodiac deaths around the world this last year might have been prevented if ballistic ‘chutes had been aboard? *** No way to know. *** But when it comes time for you to make that call, picture this equation: *** the grieving faces of your loved ones vs. whatever small gain in performance you get by not carrying a chute. *** I rest my case. *** —photo of Zodiac courtesy of Zenith

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With the holiday season about to land on our heads, who’s got time to see who’s doing what around the industry? Me, that’s who. *** Hit the links below to some recent news and events: *** Chesapeake Sport Pilot hosted an event recently on its home turf, to celebrate opening a new 6,000 sq. ft. building for its light sport training ops. CSP claims 70 active LSA flight students and 300 LSA renters. *** Many years ago I built an experimental Kitfox (s.n. #124 – last I heard it’s still flying, 22 years later!) The company has been through several iterations and owner changes since then but it’s back to the future and running strong as Kitfox Aircraft LLC, run by John McBean of Homedale, ID. Now they’ve got an SLSA version of the lovely taildragger, base price around $83K, also available in tricycle gear. Check it out. *** CubCrafters has jumped into the +100 sales club this fall, according to industry watchdog Dan Johnson and in this economy that’s no mean feat. Only Flight Design, American Legend, Tecnam and Remos had broken the century mark before. Congrats folks! *** Popular flight instrument maker Dynon has set prices for the new SkyView 10″ and 7″ PFD and Engine Monitor EFIS displays.

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“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Actually, it’s both…and edible!” *** Fresh but larger in girth from the great American pastime of massive calorie infusions and days of leftovers (turkey sandwich/curried Turkey/cranberry yogurt surprise (don’t ask) etc., let’s see whassup around the old info-hangar. *** Looking to e-gab with other light sport enthusiasts? There are some cool sites around with lots of hands-on topics such as training, maintenance, fun flying and more. Here are a couple I’ve come across that seem well-attended: Sport Pilot Talk and South Africa’s AvCom with a look at Light Sport and GA flying in the southern Hemisphere *** Lots of links here to tons of general LSA sites : Light Sport Aircraft HQ *** Flight training resource guide: Pilot Journey *** Experimental/homebuilt and light sport discussions (Jabiru and Rotax forums here): Wings Forum *** BTW: Sebring’s annual Light Sport Aviation Expo is kicking off Jan. 21-24, read all about this ever-growing LSA-exclusive show that kicks off the year’s flying events. *** Here’s a nice general piece by Dan Pimentel, still timely, that looks at the Sport Pilot demographic on the Aircraft website. *** A lively blog, Aviation Critic, has an interesting riff on our recent article on the ICON A5 plus lots of other cool topics. *** The Big Daddy: Aviation Week has been around for longer than I can remember (I drew pictures from their photos in my teens in the ’60s) and covers pretty much everything of global aviation import. For instance, here’s a piece they just did on AVIC, the Chinese air defense monolith that includes Shenyang, the company that’s making, you guessed it, Cessna’s Skycatcher! *** Speaking of the C-162, the general press is catching on. *** Stay tuned, there’s more to come, flyfolk!

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Just got off the horn with Mike Zidziunas, who’s Mike Z Sport Aviation, Plant City, Florida, is a viable model of how a small LSA flight training operation can thrive. *** Mike started ops in 2005 and during the busy seasons (any time it’s not sweltering), has had as many as 9 students taking lessons in his Ikarus C42 trainer at one time. A dozen of his students have gone all the way through to get their Sport Pilot licenses. *** In what he calls a bit of a “scoop”, he told me that Plant City Airport, the FBO where Mike hangs his shingle, has seen the light. *** Plant City, just five air minutes away from Lakeland Linder Regional, Florida’s host airport for the annual EAA Sun ’n Fun Fly In, is a popular place for vendors such as Diamond and Cirrus to demo their planes. I’ve photographed many, many airplanes over the years out of Plant City, renting their Cessna’s and capable pilots for my missions on behalf of P&P. *** Anyway, next year (April, 2010), says Mike, Plant City is so eager to attract LSA attention, it is offering LSA distributors use of the airport for its flight demos during the show for free. All they ask is that the aircraft refuel there. *** You heard it here first, folks.

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At this summer’s Oshkosh fly-in, I had the pleasure to meet an inspiring new pilot, Michael Combs, who briefed me on his plans to fly a Remos GX to every state in the US of A, beginning next spring. *** Good news: Michael just finished his check ride – that’s him below with his CFI, Justin Shelley of U.S. Flight Academy– and is now a happily licensed Sport Pilot. Congratulations Mike! *** The odyssey flight will serve as more than just an adventurous lark, although that would certainly be enough motivation for most of us. The intrepid fledgling pilot – and a survivor of a serious illness – will make 135 stops during the inspirational mission, dubbed “Flight For The Human Spirit”, to champion what he recently described as “…proof of human capability and of accomplishing what you are able to dream.” *** He intends to demonstrate, in dramatic fashion, that “a Sport Pilot license is a passport to unlimited adventure…a celebration of freedom.” *** Mike estimates he’ll have more than 100 flight hours under his belt by the time the 40-day trip launches. He’ll have all the latest electronic nav gear, including XM weather and satellite tracking that will update his progress every two minutes, which you can follow on his website: www.flightforthehumanspirit.com. *** —photo courtesy Remos Aircraft

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South Africa’s Rainbow Aircraft quickly stole the limelight from the Vans RV12 – the 100th LSA to achieve ASTM approval – by earning the first approval of the next hundred – SLSA # 101. *** The aircraft, dubbed Cheetah XLS, is imported and distributed by Midwest Sport Aviation of Wisconsin. *** Taking a page from the X-Air school of affordable sport aircraft, the Cheetah is listed at just under $53,000. *** You can have one in either taildragger or tricycle-gear flavor. Powerplant options abound too: Jabiru 2200, Rotax model 582 or 912S, with horsepower ranges from 65 to 100. *** Congratulations to this latest contender! *** –photos courtesy Midwest Sport Aviation

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Getting ready for Oshkosh, and my first in-person look at an exciting new electric airplane which you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the months ahead. *** The Yuneec International E430 electric-powered two seater is in Phase 2 test flight mode. *** The bird is fitted with a 54 hp electric motor that weighs only 37.5 lbs., uses six lipo (lithium polymer) batteries and is capable of 1.5 to 2 hours of flight. *** And that’s with a 400 pound payload! A 10-battery configuration should bring duration to 2.5 hours. The sleek highwinger sports a 45-foot wingspan. Could that mean motorglider cred too? It gives the LSA a 25:1 glide ratio. Handling in strong winds could be a challenge with that wing and V-tail, but we’ll have to wait and see. *** Should motorgliding be enabled in future, perhaps with a folding prop, restarts would be a breeze. There are only two moving parts in the engine – the bearings! – just a flick of the switch and the prop is spinning again. *** And think about charging time – three hours – and energy cost: around $5. Wow! *** Check out this video. It wouldn’t open in Firefox, but Internet Explorer worked. *** Sure, it’s early yet to get too amped up about this (pardon the pun). But we’ll be watching to see how this Chinese beauty and other electrics like the ElectraFlyer C and Waiex play out in the scheme of things. *** Plans are to certify the E340 first as an experimental homebuilt, but commercial production is the ultimate goal. *** Meanwhile, check out these flight test runs: durations of 15 minutes, max height = 975ft, take off in 265 feet at 40 mph, climb rate: 1320 fpm, cruise speed: 55 mph, top speed level flight: 93 mph. Are we dreaming electric yet, chilluns? *** – photos courtesy Yuneec International

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After enduring a goodly downpour most of the day, stalwarts were rewarded with a sunny late afternoon and fresh, cool winds. This is not typical Oshkosh Airventure weather: usually we’re melting into puddles of goo from the heat and humidity. *** Strolling through the vast Airventure “campus” I ran into Dave Graham, hardworking Gobosh principal who shared the new Garmin G3X panel he’s installed into the Gobosh 700. Such a nice panel, and with dual Garmin vertical EFIS screens right in front of the pilot, and backup steam gauges and other avionics goodies, it’s an impressive panel. *** Also noteworthy is Dave’s automobile iconic symbols on the console stack that add colorful, easy-read labeling to control switches such as carb heat, fuel cutoff and choke. *** A Zaon PCAS XRX collision avoidance system is another welcome feature on this lovely tricked out G700. *** ====================================== *** Knocking around the grounds after dark was a kick. I shot the Virgin Galactic White Knight spacecraft launcher, one weird bird indeed, and the Airbus A380, the monstrous double-decker transport airplane that carries 525 passengers in current configurations and will be modified in future to carry 900 people! Holy sardine can, Batman! *** ======================================= *** Caught up with Dan Johnson and spousal unit Randee at their LSA Mall in its newly installed location. Very impressive, good support from LSA manufacturers and lots of foot traffic. It’s a great way for folks to see many of their favorite LSA aircraft all in one place…and at a huge show like Oshkosh, anything that saves you walking time and grows enthusiasm is welcome indeed. Well done!

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Today was a beautiful, beautiful day. I kept saying, “This can’t be Oshkosh.” *** Low humidity, balmy 70s temps, lovely breeze…oh yeah. *** Here are some noteworthy pix from the day’s events. *** First up: The Icon A5 flew a very impressive series of demo takeoffs, landings and fast taxis at the Sea Plane Base. An impressive debut performance, with a lot of attendance from folks who motored over from the main event 10 miles away. *** The Airbus A380 wowed the crowds with amazingly quiet, nimble performance turns over the runway. It still amazes me that anything so huge can fly. *** Diamond’s DA-20 has a new panel with Garmin’s G-500 EFIS display. Look for a pirep in a P&P issue soon.

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