Search Results for : electric propulsion

[from a talk given at DeLand Showcase 2017…]
After more than 13 years of LSA, I believe the industry can stand tall and proud…
Even with more than 140 attractive, innovative, and roomy LSA of every description, much of what makes LSA a strong and worthy addition to aviation is less obvious to many.
Sure, pilots love the nuts and bolts and hearing about performance or flight characteristics of our favorite aircraft but what has really brought LSA to the forefront of aviation… worldwide?
I’m lucky. I’ve had a front row seat to what I consider to be the greatest modern story in aviation.
Since the 1970s, I watched hang gliders evolve into ultralights and ultralights transform into LSA. Then I watched as a worldwide fleet launched into the skies over the past 15-20 years. This has been humbling to experience and a source of constant delight …as well as a source of material for thousands of articles and hundreds of video.

Update: Unknown at the time this article was posted, Viking Aircraft Engines reports it provides the powerplant for SureFly. —DJ July 5, 2017
News from the Paris Air Show probably does not interest you too much, unless you care about the airliner you will fly in eight years from now. However, one article caught my interest because of a few references. (The article I found is available here.)
Here’s the parts that grabbed me:
(1) “We’re hoping it can be a light-sport aircraft type of licence,” said developing company CEO Steve Burns. “We want to keep it minimal, and we believe it’s easy enough to fly to do that.”
(2) It will be pilot-operated; controls are said to be minimal, with buttons for up/down altitude adjustment, and a joystick for forward, sideways and yaw.
(3) The company aims to bring the SureFly to market at a price of just $200,000.

The German aviation trade fair or show is Aero Friedrichshafen. This year the event at the very southern edge of Germany celebrated its 25th birthday. Over the years, Aero has emerged as the premiere aviation event in Europe, at least for airplanes that ordinary people can afford. Good friend and highly accomplished journalist, Marino Boric, submitted a lengthy report on the event, which we will break up into more bite-sized pieces. Here is Marino’s overview. —DJ
On Wednesday, April 5, the Global Show for General Aviation started for the 25th time. The 2017 edition opened with a record participation of 707 exhibitors from 39 countries, some 100 more than in 2016, presenting the best results in its history. Not only did more vendors attend this benchmark Aero, even the number of visitors numbers increased on first three days by six percent.
With Sun ‘n Fun also reporting record numbers, the health of lighter aviation appears strong and vibrant.

News from Sebring Expo 2017…
The thirteenth annual running of the Sebring Expo is history concluding on Saturday, January 28th. By most accounts it was a solid event. Show organizers were blessed with wonderful weather no doubt helping foot traffic to be substantial each morning and early afternoon. Several vendors told me they booked orders for aircraft and if anyone had negatives of substance they were not brought to my attention.

Kudos to principal organizer Bev Glarner (a full video interview with her will follow) and to airport director Mike Willingham for changing up the show in several successful ways.
On Friday of the event, I appeared as a guest on the Florida Aviation Network with host Diego Alfonso. We chatted about several matters that Light-Sport Aircraft or light kit-built aircraft enthusiasts and business owners may find of interest.
My goal in the interview was to hit a few topics generating high levels of attention at this time.

Are you interested in light aircraft? “Check.” Interested in cool looking flying machines? “Check.” Enjoy following the latest trends in flying? “Check.” Interested in autonomous (pilotless) flying? “Umm… Not sure?” Interested in an Autonomous Airbus Air Taxi? “Hmm… no, not really?” Interesting in getting your Eight-Engine Rating? “Ah, No!” However you answered and whatever you think, the world of aviation appears to be changing.
When a company like airliner giant Airbus goes after media coverage with its E-Fan and ups the ante with Vahana, some may begin to feel the ground move under their feet like a California earthquake. Imagine a fleet of pilotless vehicles ready to swoop in to pick up passengers and deliver them to doctor appointments or a visit to grandma’s house. Aviation appears to be headed in some very new directions.
On ByDanJohnson.com, I have followed other flying car or drone developments. See this article or here’s another for a couple examples.