In case I don’t get another post up before (gosh, this is a busy time of year, isn’t it?)… let me wish all visitors and viewers a very warm and wonderful holiday. We so appreciate your visits to ByDanJohnson.com!
We begin a new year shortly and will keep our focus on the many enjoyable light airplanes. This industry and the pilots it serves have an exciting four years ahead as FAA’s huge new regulation comes to completion.
For some this will add excellent new opportunities such as using an LSA of the future to do various kinds of aerial work — and much more.
For others — those of you who enjoy pure recreational flying — the new rule will also be beneficial as FAA pulls further back to let industry take the lead in new directions. I find this very foresightful of the aviation agency and I’m thrilled to report more as we learn details of the new rule.
It’s Holiday Time
What Could You Ask Santa to Bring?
How about WingBug as a stocking stuffer? This thing is pretty amazing. I admire developer Alex Rolinski and partner Bryan Tittle for pursuing such a project to a high state of the art.
The good folks at Levil have a different entry (the B.O.M.) but WingBug has an advantage in that they also developed an app to support the hardware. The app and product are darned impressive and the video below will tell you all you need to know plus give you a close-up look to see how it functions.
(This was a rare solo effort of video recording on my part but it has been made totally professional thanks to the talented YouTube publisher Videoman Dave who could not attend DeLand this year.)
Going Faster in the Future?
“Here is some newsworthy information for your website,” related Deon Lombard, who imports the Aeropilot L600 and InnovAviation FX1. “As we believe this aircraft will qualify for the new Light-Sport Aircraft rules to come (perhaps),” this kit could find a market in the USA.
Until that rule arrives — probably in late 2023 — “Whisper can be a nice step up in airspeed and weight limits within the Experimental Amateur Built class.” Deon’s now-Florida-based operation will offer Whisper in kit form or quick-built kit. It can be completed as a taildragger or tricycle gear (nearby photos).
Deon said Whisper will require about “half the airframe build time of an RV or Lancair in a very strong composite sandwich material, with UV and lightning protection.” He reported the structure has been tested to handle a 12G load.
One is already approved and flying in the USA, Deon reported, using a slightly smaller Lycoming engine at present. Some 25 are presently flying in South Africa.
Whisper is, he added, “a fast and roomy aircraft, with a lower profile, making it about 10 knots faster than a RV 7.” See additional factory specifications here. The price is also very competitive, Deon maintained.
“We will be offering an owner builder-assist program conducted by the factory guys, in Florida.” Deon said it takes only a 14-day period when assembled at their U.S. facility. He promised to advise a hangar address early next year and hopes to have a demo plane ready for Sun ‘n Fun 2020.
See Whisper at the Aeropilot booth at the April event.
Great job (it has many options of course).