Usually, aviation journalists attending airshows seek the latest and greatest in aircraft. We love to find aircraft our readers have never seen and I’ve reported some of those in recent days.
Today, however, I’m going to step back in time to an aircraft model series I have not covered in years.
Titan Aircraft has become well known for their take on the ever-popular P-51 Mustang. In Titan’s case this resulted in the 75%-scale T-51 Mustang. You can read my different-than-usual report on that aircraft in this article.
Yet the longtime Ohio producer also continues to make their dashing Tornado in four varieties. One of those, the SS or Super Stretch model is my focus.
Titan Tornado SS
“Super Stretch”
Tornado started out as a single place aircraft back in the early days of FAA’s Part 103 regulation. That rule came out in fall of 1982 and a few years later, Titan got in the game with their 1+1 Tornado.
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Sun ‘n Fun 2021 / Day 3 — The Brazilian Invasion Continues; Montaer MC01 Has Arrived
Perhaps you knew years ago that Brazil was an aviation beehive of activity. Since Santos-Dumont early last century, the South American country has been known for aviation.
This millennia, the Brazilians have adapted to Light-Sport Aircraft and ASTM standards, which the country’s CAA accepts (as do several other nations). Not only have they populated the skies over Brazil, but several companies have moved to establish their business in the USA.
Seamax, Super Petrel, the engineering behind the Texas Aircraft Colt, Paradise P-1, Flyer SS …all these are Brazilian designs and except for the last two, all have an active U.S. presence and all have the Brazilian factory as a partner or owner. For the record, this is also how Tecnam and others have handled their American representation. This may not assure success but it does keep the factory deeply involved with their entry to aviation’s largest marketplace.
Flying Germany’s Longtime Leader, the Affordable Comco Ikarus C42
Americans have seen Comco Ikarus‘ C42 before. At least three different importers have represented C42 versions to the U.S. market. Today, Germany’s most successful light aircraft is served by a Canada-based dealer, Ikarus Flight Centre.
Yet no one can dispute that C42 — once rebadged as Cyclone for American buyers — has for many years been THE success story in Germany. This southern German company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.
Our favorite British aerojournalist, Dave Unwin is back with another of his imaginatively written and thorough pilot reports. As some of us get ready to head to Sun ‘n Fun 2021, those still unable or unwilling to travel can enjoy this while I gear up for stories from Lakeland, Florida. Enjoy! —DJ
Comco Ikarus C42C
The air is like glass as the C42 accelerates into a winter sky in the United Kingdom.
Skyranger Nynja: Economical, Proven, Agile, Tough, Simple — Now from UK
“Nynja lifts off after a ridiculously short ground roll and soars skyward at a precipitously steep angle. I can’t help but grin. You can have a lot of fun with something like this,” writes longtime aviation journalist, Dave Unwin.
Welcome to our favorite British writer providing in his distinctive style thoughts about flying Skyranger’s Nynja. Also thanks once again to talented photographer, Keith Wilson.
Why did I want this article even though Skyranger has no U.S. representation at present? With a base price in UK of $59,760, Nynja is affordable to many. Is it desirable? Dave helps you decide. —DJ
For far too long, the more bigoted aviators among us considered such an aircraft to be little more an overweight hang glider powered by a second-hand lawn mower engine and barely capable of flying fast enough to kill you. Noisy, slow, and smelly — they were considerably less than satisfactory.
Special Light-Sport Aircraft #154 — Welcome to Montaer’s MC01 from Brazil
Welcome our newest entry to the Special LSA fleet: Montaer’s MC01. It’s been added to our SLSA List that so many of you visit regularly.
In a way, you already know this aircraft or at least its look-a-like predecessor, Paradise’s P1NG. As happens in every industry, a key engineer left a family airplane building business — Paradise, run by granddad, Noe de Oliveira — and started his own aircraft factory. The departure occurred eight years ago.
Now, Bruno de Oliveira has won FAA acceptance of his Special LSA model. Brazil uses ASTM standards as well so he also got approval in the South American country.
Importer Ed Ricks of Montaer USA hoped to make it to the Midwest LSA Expo in late summer 2020, but we know all-too well how strange last year was. Many hoped-for gatherings simply fell apart in the year of Covid.
Much-Loved Luscombe Has Returned — Again, Crossing the Continent
Of all the airplanes earning rave reviews over the years, one model stands out above most others in the distinction of handling quality. Over and over I’ve heard from pilots of a certain, umm… maturity, and Luscombe is the brand often mentioned.
After flying many airplane models, I’d be hard pressed to tell you which one I thought out-handled the rest. What does that even mean?
Handling can be quite personal. Some like a docile, forgiving airplane. In all honesty, that’s probably most of us. It’s annoying (and possibly threatening) to be forced to constantly stay on top of an airplane. Other pilots prefer fast response and a light touch.
Luscombe offers a delightful combination of light forces with great response that will make most of us feel comfortable. That’s magic!
Welcome Back
to the Shiny Silvaire
From its mid-century origin in Kansas City, Missouri, Luscombe moved to Trenton, New Jersey.
New or Old? … Deluxe or Simple? … Quicksilver or Smithsilver? — Here Is Tri-State’s Falcon 503
One of the most successful airplane designs of all time is the Quicksilver. Van’s Aircraft of RV fame has delivered more kits, yet with 10,869 RVs presently flying, Quicksilver still remains far ahead with more than 15,000 flying. Naturally, such market success spawned other builders.
Those who attempted to copy and duplicate Quicksilvers have mostly faded away but some enterprises (see at bottom) built a business out of supplying parts and components that Quicksilver itself never offered.
One of the most successful of these is Tri-State Kite Sales, based in Mt. Vernon, Indiana — and no, not Mt. Vernon, Illinois where the Midwest LSA Expo is held every September.
Andy Alldredge started his Falcon project 18 years ago when he was a lad of 20. The airplane looked good enough that I thought it was something new but, nope. This is a well flown aircraft that has been well maintained.
When Help Comes to the Rescue… FAST! Magnum Parachutes Could Save Your Life
Aviation preaches safety long and loud. This dedication within the aviation community has made flying safer than driving despite what landlubbers believe is a risky way to travel.
Aviators know better, of course. We work hard at making flying safe. It’s not lucky or some accident of choice. We are all proud of our skill at taking an airplane aloft and returning it safely to terra firma.
Except when we cannot…
Why Parachutes?
Any way you look at it, an airframe parachute adds cost, weight, and bulk.
These systems cost real money (thousands), add “non-functioning” weight (16 to 50 pounds depending on the airplane’s weight and speed), and fill up space you might use otherwise (a BRS system for the Cessna 172 uses a substantial share of the baggage space in that model). All these things — cost, weight, and bulk — are negatives, yet pilots buy these emergency systems regularly.
Quantum Development… Brazilian Part 103 Ultralight Entry Explained by Designer
Welcome to a New Year! …and to a new airplane, a new Part 103 entry to be specific.
One of the most amazing discoveries of 2020 — the year Covid upset lives around the globe — is the particular and peculiar strength of Part 103 ultralights.
In a year that has seen hundreds of thousands of small businesses fail under the pressure of executive orders, and the lockdown of an amazing percentage of the world’s individuals, the littlest airplanes have found new life.
Are you surprised? I was… despite being a fan of Part 103s for several decades.
What will happen in 2021 and beyond? No one has a crystal ball but I am going to guess that we will continue to see strength in the 103 segment for one primary reason: affordability.
You Can Afford
Your Own Aircraft
FAA’s Part 103 is an American phenomenon, dating to 1982, when the nearly 40-year-old regulation was issued.
CGS Aviation (Ohio)
CGS Hawk is much-beloved by owners, with more than 2,000 aircraft flying. With wonderful flying qualities, Hawk is available in a variety of models, including Part 103. Build a kit or buy a ready-to-fly Hawk Special LSA. An enduring pioneer among light aircraft, Hawk hails from Ohio with additional operations in Florida.
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