The Highs And Lows Of Sport Aviation For 2016

Flying for the fun of it ... either in an airplane, rotorcraft, or falling through the air until you pull the ripcord. Sport Aviation is one of the hallmarks of why we love to fly. Here are some of the top stories in sport aviation for 2016.

January

Questions Raised About Charges Against SC Skydiving Operation 
The legal battle between Horry County, SC and Skydive Myrtle Beach has required swimming through some pretty murky waters, and there does not seem to be an end in sight.

Model Aviation Community Donates $92,000 To Wounded Warrior Project 
Through National Model Aviation Day celebrations across the country, and the efforts of modelers at approximately 235 AMA chartered clubs, the Academy of Model Aeronautics raised $92,000 to support Wounded Warrior Project.

EAA Proposes ADS-B Solution For S-LSA Owners 
The certification of special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) occurs when the manufacturer shows that the aircraft is in compliance with the industry standards by meeting industry ASTM criteria.

MVP Aero To Build A Prototype In Maine 
When the MVP Aero multipurpose light sport airplane was introduced in its mockup stage at EAA AirVenture 2014, it was a showstopper. Designed for operation on land, water, and snow, it can also be used as a fishing boat or be converted into a camping tent.

February

AirVenture Aviation Gateway Park Expands
EAA tells us that the AirVenture Aviation Gateway Park, a popular destination at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 as it combined technology, innovation, education, and drones, will be bigger and better than ever this year with expanded programs and activities.

Flight Design USA Secures Second-Source Production 
Flight Design USA has contracted for a second source of completed airframes for import into America. Aircraft availability for new customers will benefit from this new arrangement.

ERAU WACO Vintage Restoration Project 
Embry-Riddle is trying to raise $150,000 to fully restore its historic 1928 WACO aircraft, owned by founder, T. Higbee Embry, and used in the school’s early days for flight training and airmail delivery.

FAA Applauds EAA, Homebuilt Safety Improvement 
In an EAA press release, they report that their efforts in enhancing homebuilt aircraft safety and the results from the past year were recognized by top FAA officials during this week’s annual Winter Recreational Aviation Summit, held at EAA headquarters.

S-LSA OEM’s Must Be Involved In ADS-B
Aircraft that are certificated as special light sport aircraft (S-LSA) must have a pathway established by the aircraft manufacturer for the installation of ADS-B Out. The FAA is also urging these manufacturers to establish similar pathways for the installation of angle of attack indicators.

Sonex Aircraft Announces Development Of Sonex And Waiex B-Models 
Sonex Aircraft is very excited to announce its latest aircraft development project: Sonex and Waiex B-Models. “What is the B-Model?” asks Sonex designer and founder John Monnett, “It’s what you’ve been asking for! More of everything you want in a sport aircraft.

Flight Design Parent Company In Receivership
Following several months of concern over delayed shipments and orders from the parent company responsible for the Flight Design LSA and Sport Aircraft line, word has come confirming that the company is facing serious financial difficulties.

March

Antique Druine Turbulent May Fly Again
A campaign is underway to restore a 1959 Druine Turbulent that is the only single-seat airplane known to have been flown by a member of the Royal Family.

An Electric Airplane For Training 
For those of us interested in the application of electric powered flight for recreational flying, it may come to us by way of an electric airplane designed for training. Last week, the Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation (AEAC) released information regarding its Sun Flyer solar-electric flight trainer.

FAA Provides Questionable FOIA Documents To Skydive Myrtle Beach 
The FAA, about month late, provided documents requested by Skydive Myrtle Beach owner Aaron Holly to back up a 73-page report that was used by Horry County, SC to shut down his skydiving operation at Grand Strand airport.

New Wright B Flyer Construction Starts
Wright B Flyer, Inc. built and operates a modern representation of the 1911 Wright Model B Flyer airplane. It’s used to demonstrate what it looks like to fly the first production model of a Wright Brothers airplane, and it’s always a big hit whenever it shows up at an air event. However, their current airplane is getting a bit long in the tooth, so it’s been planned for some time to build a new one.

DeLand Airport Welcomes Jana Filip As Sport Aviation Administrator 
Is DeLand airport in central Florida making a play to bring the Sport Aviation Expo from Sebring a bit north? Make what you will of this. Jana Filip, the former director of the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo, has joined the staff of the Deland (FL) Municipal Airport as itsnew Sport Aviation Administrator.

FAA Gives 51% Approval To The Zenith Cruzer 
For any homebuilt airplane to be certificated as ‘experimental amateur-built’, the builder must show compliance with a requirement that majority portion the aircraft was built for the purpose of education and recreation. Now, the Zenith CH750 Cruzer kit rolls out the factory door with the FAA 51% requirement in place.

Icon A5 Purchase Contract May Be More Complex Than The Aircraft Itself... 
Over the course of a decade, the aviation world has seen projects with immense promise come and go. Some make it, and change our world for the better... Some projects are still struggling to make their way in the Aero-Verse, others have failed, and the industry inexorably strives to come up with successful ideas to put it out of its doldrums.

FAA Certifies Glasair Merlin LSA 
The FAA certified the Glasair Merlin Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). Certification of the Merlin LSA marks Glasair Aviation’s first entry into turnkey airplane production.

April

Two New Dynon Products For Experimental And LSA Aircraft
Dynon Avionics and Advanced Flight Systems announce two new avionics products for experimental and light sport aircraft. Dynon says their SkyView SE offers a streamlined and simplified experience for pilots of VFR aircraft.

Citizen's Group Files Appeal In Lawsuit Against Skydiving Company
A small and somewhat bizarre grassroots group which lost its court battle against a skydiving company in Colorado has filed an appeal of the ruling, saying the judge misapplied the law in the case.

AeroJones Aviation Begins Shipments To Flight Design USA 
The first Flight Design CTLS and CTLSi customer aircraft from Taiwan-based manufacturer AeroJones have been shipped to FDUSA distributor Airtime Aviation in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Maiden Flight Of Rotax 915 iS Engine 
Not all first flight stories are about airplanes. In this case, the big news is about a new engine that Rotax is bringing to the market for light aircraft. The new Rotax 915 iS is bound to make an impact in the light airplane and helicopter regime.

Zenith STOL CH 750 Offered As Ready-To-Fly LSA 
In a joint statement, Zenair Ltd. of Midland, Ontario, Canada and M-Squared Aircraft of Mobile, Alabama, have announced that production of the ready-to-fly STOL CH 750 Light Sport aircraft will resume.

Pipistrel Virus Receives EASA Certification 
When the definition of a light sport aircraft was created in the U.S. sport pilot regulations published in 2004, the definition was very much based on aircraft that were already certified in the European Union under a less restrictive standard. Generally, these aircraft are referred to as ‘microlights.’ Now, the Pipistrel Company of Slovenia has moved towards European type certification of one of its aircraft.

May

New Student Pilot Certificate Causing Challenges 
On April 1 of this year a new FAA rule took effect that requires student pilots to apply for a student pilot certificate through a Flight Standards District Office, designated pilot examiner, flight school, or certified flight instructor. Student pilot certificates are no longer issued through aviation medical examiners in combination with a medical certificate.

Waiex B-Model First Flight
Earlier this year Sonex announced their latest aircraft development project; the Sonex and Waiex B-Models. Then at Sun ‘n Fun, they picked up the excitement by letting people know what these new aircraft looked like.

Medical Reform Hits The Senate Floor…Again 
Those pilots who meet their medical certification requirement by holding a third class medical certificate have been hoping for some sort of reform that recognizes the kind of flying they do does not require the repetitive hassle of obtaining a third class medical. We’ve heard a lot about third class medical reform being part of legislative action in progress, yet now we're told it has started again.

NTSB Releases Prelim In Greg Connell Accident 
The NTSB has released its preliminary report from the accident May 14th during an airshow at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) which fatally injured airshow pilot Greg Connell.

Damage Found On Parachute Of Fatally Injured BASE Jumper 
A parachute packed and used by a Canadian woman who was fatally injured when it failed to open on a BASE jump May 12 at the Perrine Bridge in Idaho had been damaged, according to investigators.

June

Valdez STOL - Breeden Wins Again 
The actual Valdez, Alaska competition occurred last month but that was not your only chance to see it. EAA reminds us that the popular flight competitions and demonstrations will be featured once again at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year.

Another LSA Amphibian In The Marketplace 
Finland-based Atol Avion has actually been in the light plane amphibious aircraft market for some time with their kit aircraft. Now, with the funding provided by the China-based Sharpland Investments Limited, Atol is taking their well proven kit-built aircraft into production as a factory produced aircraft with significant upgrades and improvements.

CubCrafters Debuts New Certified 'XCub'
CubCrafters says their new Certified XCub is lighter, faster and stronger than any aircraft in its category. They also say it provides a larger payload and greater range which results in a much wider mission profile.

Microlight e-Go Production Airplane Lands With First Buyer 
The first production e-Go microlight airplane has rolled off the production line and been delivered to its new owner.

GAMA/Build A Plane Aviation Design Challenge Winners Start Glasair Sportsman 
Students Derrick Cleaves, Logan Feltz, Austin Krause, and Natasha Stemwedel, teacher Mike Hansen, and chaperone Jerry Graf—the winners of the GAMA/Build A Plane 2016 Aviation Design Challenge—will spend the next two weeks building a Glasair Sportsman airplane at Glasair Aviation in Arlington, Washington, as their prize.

Oldest Certified Rotax Aircraft Engine Still In Operation Has Been Found 
Last year, BRP and its Rotax brand celebrated 40 years of Rotax aircraft engines and launched a contest that ended on December 31, 2015 to find the oldest certified Rotax aircraft engine in operation.

Embry-Riddle Pilots Excel In Historic Air Race Classic 
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Campus pilots Emmy Dillon and Abbie Pasmore were named winners not only in the collegiate division of this year’s Air Race Classic (ARC) but also secured first place overall, besting 50 teams for the first time in the school’s history participating in the cross-country, all-female air trek.

July

Recreational Aviation Helps College Students 
The daunting college and career search is made fun and easy at the EAA AirVenture 2016 College Social. Here, students and parents can chat with representatives from colleges, programs, and military branches in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Garmin Team X Introduces GTX 45R And GTX 35R 
Garmin has announced the GTX 35R, which meets Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out requirements and the GTX 45R that offers ADS-B Out, as well as ADS-B In benefits.

Flight Design USA Recovering From A Rocky Start To The Year 
As 2016 began, Germany's Flight Design GmbH faced a daunting financial situation that required significant actions to remedy. The company sought and was awarded voluntary insolvency status under German law.

Sonex Aircraft, Uniworld/BAT Establish Kit Building Presence In China 
Sonex Aircraft has announced a new initiative to make kit aircraft building a part of the mainstream general aviation infrastructure in China.

 S-LSA Certification 
On the second day at EAA AirVenture 2016 we hung around some of the special light sport aircraft displays and we listened to questions being asked by people interested in these factory built LSA’s. It was pretty obvious that a lot of folks don’t understand what that certification means.

Hot Air Balloon Down In Texas 
A hot air balloon with 16 people on board reportedly went down near Lockhart, TX. All 16 on board have been fatally injured, according to multiple media reports.

August

Electric Flight For Fun 
As the technology of electric flight in aviation continues to advance, there are successes that range from applying electric flight technology to encourage the use of renewable energy, to electric flight replacing fossil fuel powered trainer planes. The technology is exciting and there is one thing for sure; Adventure Aircraft is proving it can be used for recreational flying.

Deland Airport Announces Sport Aviation Showcase 
As DeLand’s Sport Aviation Village comes to life, DeLand Airport Manager John Eiff and Sport Aviation Administrator Jana Filip are busy planning DeLand’s first-ever Sport Aviation Showcase set for November 3-5, 2016. It’s being held immediately after the 2016 NBAA Convention in Orlando, Florida, to make it easy for industry and media to visit DeLand while they are already in the local area.

Oratex Covering Receives FAA STC For Gliders 
The FAA recently awarded an STC to Better Aircraft Fabric (BAF) of Anchorage, AK for the application of Oratex on 12 glider types in the United States, including the SZD Bocian.

Aerobatic Displays At U.K. Air Show Scotched 
When all else fails ... blame the postal service, we suppose. In this case, it's the U.K. postal service that seems to have lost some very important paperwork for the Cromer Carnival Air Show.

Another Tough Weekend For Airshows... Two Pilots Lost 
It was a lousy weekend to be an aviation journalist as we document the tragic loss of two well-known pilots in two separate airshows accident.. each on the other side of the world.

AMA Exempt From Earning A Part 107 Remote Pilot’s Certificate 
Effective August 29, 2016 the FAA began to require sUAS pilots performing commercial operations, or those not operating within the programing of a "community-based organization", to earn a remote pilot’s certificate and to operate within the provisions of Part 107.

September

So Much For All Those California Jobs... Icon To Shift Composites Mfg To Mexico 
Icon Aircraft, after failing to produce a workable manufacturing operation here in the states, will be shifting its composites fabrication to a plant to be built in Tijuana, Mexico early next year, according to reports in the Mexican media.

The Airshow Business Honors Its Own 
The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Foundation board of director’s selection committee has named pyrotechnic experts Rich and Diana “Dee” Gibson, aerobatic pilot Greg Poe, and air boss, pilot, announcer and air show organizer Larry Strain to the ICAS Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame class of 2016.

Formula 1 Reno Runway Collision Footage Stuns... But Thom Richard Walks Away 
Formula 1 Race Pilot Thom Richard has an immensely powerful rabbit's foot... and whatever he wants for it, we'll pay it. During Formula 1 Gold Race operations at the Reno Races this past weekend, Richard had engine problems that necessitated his aborting the takeoff and an on-runway shutdown... which also started a series of safety actions that should have shut down all other runway operations... but not this time. And from there, things got ... interesting.

Balloons Compete In The Gordon Bennett Race 
The international competition was initiated by adventurer and newspaper tycoon James Gordon Bennett Jr. in 1906, when 16 balloons launched from the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, France. Little did the crowd of 200,000 spectators know that this race was to continue into the 21st century.

EAA Surpasses 200,000 Members 
EAA has reached a major milestone, as the association has surpassed 200,000 members. It appears that more and more pilots are finding EAA represents their kind of flying more than ever before.

Swiss Pilots Recognized For Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2016 Win 
Switzerland’s Kurt Frieden and Pascal Witpraechtiger (Team SUI 1) were crowned champions of the 60th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett – the world’s most prestigious gas balloon race – at an elegant ceremony in Gladbeck, northwest Germany on Saturday.

FAA: Parachutes Did Not Open In Tandem Jump Accident 
The FAA has determined that a first time skydiver and his instructor were fatally injured in an accident August 6th, 2016 near Lodi, CA because both the main and reserve parachutes failed to open properly.

October

Tom Poberezny Is Honored
Tom Poberezny has been the champion of recreational aviation, and we at ANN congratulate Tom for his induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Even more important, his contributions to recreational aviation have overflowed into all areas of general aviation.

Australian Engine Manufacturer Shutters Operations 
Australian engine manufacturer CAMit has shuttered its operation in Bundaberg, where it was the largest factories of its kind in the region.

Dutchman Frits Brink Elected New FAI President 
Frits Brink from the Netherlands has been elected yesterday as the new President of FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, at the 110th FAI General Conference in Bali, Indonesia.

AMA Now Offering 107 Remote Pilot Test Preparation Through UAV Ground School 
The Academy of Model Aeronautics serves as the nation's collective voice for approximately 195,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in the US and Puerto Rico. Recently appointed to the FAA's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC), the AMA is the only community-based organization acknowledged by the FAA. AMA members have a strong safety record due to well-established safety guidelines and educational programs.

Spirit Of Aviation Mobile Experience Debuts At NBAA 
EAA’s Spirit of Aviation mobile experience trailer is bringing EAA’s mission and passion to aviation and non-aviation events throughout the country, with its debut at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Orlando.

Aeromedical Reform Moves Forward 
After President Obama signed a short-term FAA funding bill in July that included aeromedical reform long sought by EAA, the question still remains: Now what? For those who have been waiting to get back to flying through medical reform, it’s tough to wait some more. That is, however, where things stand.

November

CTLS S-LSA Becoming A Fixture In The U.S. Market 
Since the beginning of the Light-Sport Aircraft category in 2004, the CT series, now led by the CTLS model, has sold well in the U.S. After experiencing difficulties in mid-2016, Flight Design GmbH came to agreements with AeroJones Aviation and the company is in the final stages of acquiring all assets and technological rights to the CT series aircraft and C4 project.

Jabiru Shows Their New LSA Trainer 
Jabiru North America says that Australia’s most popular LSA trainer has been improved and updated to the J170-D model. This was one of the aircraft on display at the inaugural Deland Sport Aviation Expo.

FAI Presents A New Award 
The world of AeroSports is far flung and the FAI is the organization that keeps track of continually changing feats and challenges. Here’s a report we received from the FAI about a fascinating pilot who excels in ballooning; an activity that could rightly be called the first AeroSport.

Retrofit Parachutes Now Available For Carbon Cub, Sport Cub 
CubCrafters is announcing the availability of new airframe  parachute systems for the company’s existing fleet of adventure airplanes. In May of 2016, the company  introduced systems for new production Carbon Cubs. Now, retrofit parachutes may be installed at  CubCrafters, and at select Authorized Service Centers.

NTSB Says Homebuilt Aircraft Broke Up In Flight 
The NTSB has released a preliminary report from an accident which occurred in Crescent City, FL November 9.

Ken McKenzie Joins EAA Board Of Directors 
Ken McKenzie, a recreational aviation enthusiast and senior vice president for strategy and corporate development for Airbus Group, Inc., has joined the EAA board of directors.

December

 Dozens Of Daring Women Set Skydiving World Record
An international team of 65 talented female skydivers from 18 countries set a new world record, November 27, for largest all-female formation while flying upside-down. The women traveled from around the globe for the record event at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, south of Phoenix. The team surpassed the previous record of 63 set at Skydive Arizona in November 2013.

Gordon Bennett Cup 2017 Announced
From September 7 through the 16th, 2017, Gruyères will host the 61st Gordon Bennett Aeronautical World Cup, the oldest and most prestigious gas balloon race in the world. In the idyllic setting of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, visitors will have the chance not only to witness the start of an internationally renowned competition but also enjoy a public festival celebrating aerial sports.

NTSB: Balloon Pilot Knew Weather Was Bad On Day Of Fatal Accident
The pilot of a balloon that struck powerlines and caught fire on July 30 knew that the weather conditions were dangerous before starting the flight, according to the NTSB.

Demolition! Why Did Textron Destroy The Remaining Skycatchers?
Back here at ANN HQ, the staff is scratching its head over pictures that were publicized late Wednesday (first, via numerous 'shares' on Facebook), showing dozens of warehoused Skycatchers and their recent fate... being ripped up and crushed, with engines still apparently attached, by heavy equipment. It looked brutal.

Mile-Hi Skydiving Prevails Again Against NIMBY Attacks
Kimberly Gibbs and her acolytes hate Colorado-based Mile-Hi Skydiving... that's the only reasonable assumption one might make after reviewing the hundreds of complaints, attacks, falsehoods, and accusations made by her small band of "Citizens for Quiet Skies' in their years-long effort to shut the business down.

FPV Drone Racing Champion
The world of AeroSports has been expanded as we learn from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) that more than 200 drone pilots, hailing from 17 countries including Great Britain, the US, Switzerland and Norway, took part in the 2016 F3U Radio Control Multi-rotor FPV Racing World Cup.

First Flight Excitement
The first flight of your homebuilt airplane is an exciting time, and Bearhawk Aircraft has passed along the story of two Bearhawk LSA aircraft built by customers from Quick-Build kits. Owner/builders Bruce McElhoe of California and Bob Way of Alabama completed, certified and flew their Bearhawk LSAs.

FMI: www.aero-news.net