Also: Pipistrel Will Have At Least Five Airplanes At Lakeland... Including The Panthera!

We are barely a week and half away from the first aviation event of 2021 but not only that..this is the first major aviation event after the pandemic shut everything down about a year ago! BUT now, it's time to see the latest and greatest in planes, products, and cool aviation stuff... and Sun ‘n Fun 2021 is THE place to do so. One of sport aviation’s most versatile product lines is coming to Lakeland, courtesy of Pipistrel USA. Some 5 aircraft are expected... starting with the new Four-place Pipistrel Panthera high-speed cruiser to the Sinus motorglider, the Virus SW touring aircraft and the Alpha Trainer. An electrically-powered Taurus,  power-assisted glider is also expected to make an appearance. ANN Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell interviewed Pipistrel USA’s Michael Coates fr

Also: Highlander STOL, Diamond DA40 NG, A Sampling Of SnF Visitors

Alright... we're two thirds of the way through the Fly-In that way too many people thought would never happen... but it did, and pretty darned well from all appearances. Unveiled during the first quarter, Beringer shows off a new quick and easy way to check your aircraft tire pressure before taking to the skies and during flight -- and yes, there is an APP for that... It’s quiet, easy to fly and lightweight… the Aerolite EV-103 is an electric ultralight so quiet you wont wake up your neighbors, and will give you no need to ever worry about fuel… STOL competitions are all the rage but there can only be one Hghlander! King Schools took some time at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo to award an annual scholarship to a deserving pilot working their wa up the ladder. The Diamond DA40 NG is a strong contender to become th

Also: The Extra NG Is Here, Rotax 915is Powered Bristell, STOL Competition Highlights

With only one day left of the much anticipated SnF21 event, we are hearing that Saturday achieved a record attendance in Sun n Fun’S 47 year history! Thousands of people came to Lakeland to see the Blue Angels execute precision maneuvers in the sky in their new Super Hornets, and let me tell you, they didn’t disappoint.. So we catch up with one of their pilots who says they are excited to be back performing for the public. For those of you who fly long distances, pull a lot of G’s, or simply are tired of the bulky heavy headsets.. well, Pilot Communications has some of the lightest and most comfortable headsets in the market. Making its southern debut this week at Sun n Fun is the one and only Extra NG... Bristell is showing off their Rotax 915is powered Bristell... it’s reportedly the onl

Also: CAP and USAF Training, Boeing 767-300ER FPT, FAA Task Force, Wings for Val Foundation

EAA notes that, 'Along with all the experienced aviators at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year, The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration inspires many others who find themselves asking, "I would love to learn to fly someday. What steps do I need to take to begin flight training?"' The Learn to Fly Center at AirVenture's EAA Four Corners area can provide the information they need and kick-start their flight training journey. The EAA Learn to Fly Center will feature multiple stations, each dedicated to helping individuals take a step forward in their desire to learn to fly. National Intercollegiate Flying Association SAFECON 2021 Goes Remote. Over the last few months, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Council has met several times to discuss the 2021 National SAFECON. Now, the NIFA Council report

Also: Rhode Island--DroneUp, Vertical Flight Society, Rocket Lab, Sun ‘n Fun Digital Daily

On Tuesday, March 30, SpaceX launched its fourth high-altitude flight test of Starship from Starbase in Texas. Similar to previous high-altitude flight tests, Starship Serial Number 11 (SN11) was powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude. SN11 performed a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent. Shortly after the landing burn started, SN11 experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Now we know why... Lilium GmbH has entered into a business agreement with Qell Acquisition Corp. Upon closing of the transaction, the company will be called Lilium. In concert with the business

"I Want All Of Them To Go Out And Do Great Things"

The Central Florida Aerospace Academy is a public school, filled with high-achieving students meeting high standards. People nearby are taking note, and students are soaring higher than ever. "The kids are here because they want to be here," said School Resource Officer Cory Suttle. "They're dedicated." The legally required ratio of officers to students is 1:1000, so with roughly 350 students enrolled in CFAA, Suttle is able to focus on more positive and meaningful interactions. When walking around the school, Suttle says he can tell the difference immediately among students who have soloed or have their private pilot certificate. "They carry themselves differently. They approach things differently," Suttle said.

Second Spaceflight For Rubins And Ryzhikov And The First For Kud-Sverchkov

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, returned to Earth on Saturday, following six months living and working aboard the International Space Station. The crew departed the station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft at 2134 EDT Friday and landed safely under parachutes at 0055 Saturday southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. It was the second spaceflight for Rubins and Ryzhikov and the first for Kud-Sverchkov. Rubins will return to her home in Houston, and Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov will return to their homes and training base in Star City, Russia.

“We Are Not Leaving,” Martha Said... “We Are Stepping Back A Little Bit.”

John and Martha King have been the face of aviation training for decades, but a new picture is coming onscreen at King Schools, Inc. in a transition that everyone is smiling about. “I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to have the mentorship of John and Martha in business, in life, in flying, and in so many other things,” said Barry Knuttila, CEO of King Schools. Knuttila will be gradually taking over the video components to become the new face of the King Schools and its iconic flight training videos, allowing John and Martha to slowly step back from the company they began nearly 50 years ago.

Flying The Twin Otter Is "Like A Big Jeep"

A fly-in's ramp is constantly changing, but the warbird ramp at Sun 'n Fun saw a big update Friday with the addition of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Twin Otter, complete with pilots who are all elated to be showing it off. One such pilot is Kennieth Brewer--NOAA Corps Ensign, Public Affairs Officer, and De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Pilot--greeting the Sun 'n Fun public with enthusiasm. Through flying the Twin Otter, ENS Brewer was able to combine his passion for biology, environment, and aviation in his position as an NOAA Corps officer. ENS Brewer flies the Twin Otter, one of four in the fleet. He works on marine surveys, air chemistry, coastal mapping, snow surveys, whale surveys, and more. Flying the Twin Otter is "like a big jeep," ENS Brewer said.

Keeping The Fleet Flying For Over 44 Years

By Anthony J. Liberatore The sister team of Mary James and Elizabeth Perigo are not only a Women/Family owned small business in the aviation space, but they sell products that many of us take for granted. Started by their Dad, Bob, in 1977; Mary and Elizabeth have taken over the helm of this Lakeland Florida enterprise. PSA's is a distributor specializing in the sale of replacement parts for the certified aircraft that can be used by homebuilts as well. Mary noted that their client base has reached beyond Gen-Av, as they have major customers in the auto racing arena in need of aviation grade fasteners for their demanding applications.