First Flights, Electric Aircraft, World's Records Topped The Category This Year

Sport Aviation saw several world's records as well as some real innovations in the areas of new propulsion systems and new aircraft in 2013. There were also significant developments with aircraft in progress, such as a weight waiver from the FAA for the ICON A5 LSA which had some other LSA companies asking "what about us?" Here are some of the top stories from the world of Sport Aviation in 2013.

January

Swithblade Receives Full Funding For Production Launch
Samson Motors has received full funding for the launch of the Switchblade Multi-Mode Vehicle, the company announced in conjunction with the Sebring LSA Expo in Florida.

NTSB Releases Probable Cause Report In 2011 Wright B Flyer Accident
Pilot error following a mechanical failure is the probable cause of an accident involving a replica Wright B Flyer which occurred in Springfield, OH, in July, 2011.

Down But Safe: Airshow Pilot Kirby Chambliss Suffers Engine Failure--Walks Away 
Airshow pilot Kirby Chambliss, in preparation for an airshow in El Salvador has suffered an engine failure but is reported to be OK... though we understand the airplane is totaled.

New LSA Flight Simulator And Instrument Trainer
The Eastern Atlantic Simulation & Education Company (EASE) out of Sanford, Florida, introduced a unique flight simulation system using the PS3D flight simulator software by Lockheed.

German Electric Helo May Get Specific Aircraft Category
A two-seat personal VTOL aircraft under development by the German company e-volo could result in the creation of a new category in aviation in that country, the company said recently on its web site.

February

Baumgartner Broke Mach 1 And Then Some
When Felix Baumgartner stepped off his capsule into the fringe of space, he began a freefall that eventually reached 843.6 miles per hour ... or Mach 1.25. That makes him the first human to break the sound barrier without any kind of mechanical assistance.

New Florida Home Spells A New Chapter For Renegade
In the days immediately preceding the Sebring LSA expo, Renegade owner Christopher "Doc" Bailey was busy securing a brand new 70,000 square foot, four million dollar facility at KFPR, ... Saint Lucie County Airport in Fort Pierce, FL.

NAA Announces Most Memorable Aviation Records Of 2012
As the official record keeper for United States aviation, The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) tracks dozens of world and national record attempts. New U.S. records are certified and those qualifying as world records are then ratified with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

American Hot Air Balloonists Rank 1-2 In The World
Two time World Champion Johnny Petrehn of Leawood, KS is again the top ranked hot air balloon pilot in the world according to the "Hot Air Balloon World Ranking List" recently released by the Ballooning Commission of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.

FAI To Sanction Human-Powered Aircraft Competition
The FAI announced that the Human Powered Aircraft (HPA) Icarus Cup 2013 has been sanctioned by the body as an FAI 2nd Category Event. This is the very first time that this sport has featured in the FAI Events Calendar.

March

IPC Releases Latest Formation Skydiving World Rankings
The USA tops the International Parachute Championships' (IPC) ranking in the "4-way Female" category with Norway coming second. Despite their success in Dubai, France stayed in the number 3 position.

Amazing: The Journey Of N6ZQ
An intrepid aviator by the name of Bill Harrelson departed Guam in a Lancair IV experimental that he crafted, himself, in order to seek a number of adventures. The 7000 mile journey is but a test flight for an even grander journey he has in mind.

Balloons Now Legal In Albuquerque
Albuquerque is known as the ballooning capital of the world, hosting one of the nation's most popular balloon events every year. So it was with some bemusement that we noted recently that the activity was actually illegal due to local ordinances ... until recently.

Pilot In NY RV-10 Accident Said Lake Placid Airport Lights Were Inoperative
The pilot of the Vans RV-10 which went down near Lake Placid, NY, said he tried to activate the airport's runway lights from the plane, but they did not come on, forcing him to execute what he characterized as a "missed approach."

Spitfire Replica Down In Australia
A replica of a Supermarine Spitfire airplane has gone down in a suburb of Adelaide, Australia, resulting in the fatal injury of the pilot.

April

First Flight: Evektor Electric Powered LSA
Evektor's electric powered LSA SportStar EPOS made its first flight from the Kunovice airport in Czech Republic March 28.

Air Show Interests Lobby On Capitol Hill
It's no secret that several major air shows around the country have severely scaled back their plans or cancelled their shows entirely after sequestration forced the U.S. military to place a freeze on aircraft demonstration teams like the Navy's Blue Angels, the Air Force Thunderbirds, and others. The air show industry fought back with a lobbying effort on Capitol Hill.

Tecnam Reveals The Astore At AERO 2013
As part of its 65th anniversary celebration, Tecnam made its worldwide premier reveal of the Tecnam Astore next-generation Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) at AERO 2013 Friedrichshafen, Germany. The Tecnam Astore is an all new two seat, low wing airplane that the company says offers "superlative performance and value."

Model Aviation Receives Legislative Support At State Level
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has expressed concerns regarding ‘drone’ legislation being considered in more than 30 states that has the potential to negatively impact and curtail a recreational activity that has existed harmoniously in our communities for more than a hundred years. The State of Alaska responded favorably by deferring its bill and creating a Task Force to study the issue, while Idaho, Missouri, and New York amended their legislation to protect model aviation.

Idaho's Hammer Flat To Once Again Welcome Hang Gliders
Hammer Flat near Boise, ID, had been a popular hang gliding spot for 30 years. But three years ago, the city of Boise and then the Idaho Department of Fish and Game took control of the area near Lucky Peak Reservoir where strong winds from the Boise River basin allowed hang gliders and paragliders to soar.

May

FAA Tells ICON It Needs Additional Information
In May 2012, ICON aircraft petitioned the FAA for an exemption that would  permit ICON Aircraft to incorporate a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) in the ICON A5 at a weight above the  current Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) definition. A year later, the FAA sent a letter to the company saying it needs additional information.

Jabiru Aircraft Prevails In Lawsuit
Jabiru Aircraft obtained an order of dismissal from the Superior Court of the State of Arizona in Heeswyk v. Jabiru Aircraft. The Van Heeswyk family had filed a wrongful death suit against Jabiru Aircraft (and several other defendants) for damages arising from the death of Gerard Van Heeswyk.

Maverick LSA/Flying Car Suffers Setback
One of the developmental prototypes of the Maverick LSA/Flying Car went down after its parachute canopy suffered some mode of malfunction (as yet unexplained) and went down with minor injuries to pilot Ray Siebring and his passenger.

Model Airplane Club To Stage Replacement Air Show
Even though organizers decided that it would not go on with the Rockford Airfest in Rockford, IL, once it was learned that the Blue Angels would not be able to perform, it didn't mean that there would be NO air show in the city this summer.

Amendment To Law Protects Oklahoma Private Airstrip Owners
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (R) signed HB 1009 on May 13, adding aviation and fly-ins to the state’s recreational use statute covering non-public lands.

June

B.A.S.E. Jumper Sets World Record With Mount Everest Leap
Nearly 60 years to the day after Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay climbed the world's highest mountain (29,029 ft.), 48-year-old Russian Valery Rozov has B.A.S.E. jumped off the north face of Everest at 23,667 ft. to set a world record for the highest B.A.S.E. jump.

Virginia Seaplane Pilots Association Established
Virginia has become the first state to establish its own seaplane pilots association, according to the Seaplane Pilots Association (SPA). The Virginia Seaplane Pilots Association (VSPA) was created during the Lake Anna Splash-In held May 23 - 24.

Extortion? FAA Ratchets Up Pressure On EAA To Pay -- 'Or Else!'
Just about the time that you thought the FAA couldn't get any more difficult to understand... or justify... comes news that the Feds are ratcheting up the pressure on EAA to pay nearly $500K in additional fees to staff the annual Fly-In in Oshkosh, WI. EAA later confirmed that it had entered, reluctantly, into a one time agreement with the FAA to pay them for services required to conduct the annual fly-in.

FAA Revises National Kit Evaluation Team Policies
The FAA published an order revising the Amateur-Built Aircraft National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET), defining policy and procedures and establishes a standard methodology to evaluate amateur-built aircraft kits.

State Of Indiana Proclaims August 17 As Model Aviation Day
The Academy of Model Aeronautics announce that the state of Indiana, led by Gov. Mike Pence, has declared August 17, 2013, as Model Aviation Day.

July

Replica Douglas World Cruiser Makes Public Debut
In April 1924, four converted WWI Douglas torpedo bombers re-christened "World Cruisers" set off from Sand Point, which at the time was Seattle's Municipal Airport, on an attempt to fly around the world. Two of the aircraft completed the journey after six months and 70 stops along the way. A Seattle resident hopes to reprise the trip in a replica of the World Cruiser he has spent 12 years building from scratch, and the airplane was brought to the Seattle Museum of Flight on a flatbed trailer towed by an antique truck for its public debut.

Lee Bottom Flying Field Cancels Fly-In
Lee Bottom Flying Field did not hold its annual fly-in this year, as the airport in southern Indiana continues to recover from a series of tornadoes that hit the area in March of 2012.

Lawn Chair Balloonist Says Helium Prices, FAA Have Dampened His Spirit
It sounds so easy. Just attach a big bunch of helium balloons to a lawn chair and drift with the wind. But Kent Couch says beware the FAA ... and the high price of helium.

ICON A5 Gets LSA Weight Waiver
ICON Aircraft CEO Kirk Hawkins announced Monday at AirVenture that the A5 amphibious LSA has been granted an increase in the maximum gross takeoff weight to 1680 pounds, an increase of 250 lbs over the standard LSA amphibious gross weight.

Michigan Balloonist Paul Petrehn Wins U.S. National Balloon Championship
After a week long flying competition in which Mother Nature drew most of the headlines, forcing cancelation of 50% of the flying opportunities, Paul Petrehn of Michigan won the 2013 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Longview, Texas.

Quicksilver Aeronautics Adds Special Light-Sport Model
At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, California-based Quicksilver Aeronautics said in a news conference that the company is finalizing work on their Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) model and is awaiting an FAA audit to confirm the procedure before deliveries can get underway.

Sonex Aircraft Accepts Kit Reservation Deposits for SubSonex Personal Jet
Sonex Aircraft, LLC announced that Kit Reservation Deposits are now being accepted for the SubSonex Personal Jet. A $10,000 refundable deposit will allow SubSonex customers to receive position numbers for the first kit deliveries, anticipated to commence mid-year, 2014.

August

EAA Business Meeting: Successfully Executing A 180 Degree Turn
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) conducted their annual meeting at the Theater in the Woods. Over 100 members were in attendance. Jack Pelton, Chairman the Board presided over the agenda. Based on the contentious meeting last year, there was much anticipation on how this year’s meeting would play out.

Backcountry Pilots Applaud Appeals Court Decision
Montana's Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) interprets as largely upholding the backcountry airstrip designations on Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

Greenwing Gets Certified
Greenwing International announced their partnership with Yuneec Inc. Greenwing has assumed the rights to the Flightstar line of ultralights. Greenwing has added electric propulsion with the Yuneec 24kw system to the e280 ESpyder  and has received German DULV certification allowing sales into the European market.

Escape Artist Frees Himself From Free-Falling Box
File this one under "don't try this at home." A Wisconsin escape artist placed an unusual twist on the classic "escape from a locked box" stunt ... the locked box holding 47-year-old Anthony Martin was shoved out of an airplane at 14,000 feet.

Bankrupt Balloon Ride Company Leaves Customers Deflated
Flying in a hot air balloon is an experience that has made its way onto many people's "bucket list." But a growing number of ballooning hopefuls in Wisconsin are finding there's now a hole in their bucket as a ride operator doing business as "A Great American Balloon Company" has filed for bankruptcy leaving their dreams of flight deflated.

September

Oldest Stunt Pilot In Britain Decides It's Time To Retire ... At 90
When you think about activities for nonagenarians, aerobatic air show pilot is probably not something that comes immediately to mind. But up until recently, it was top of the list for 90-year-old Doug Gregory, who lives in the U.K. A former RAF pilot, Gregory said he will finally give up flying in air shows ... but not flying.

Only US SkyCraft MiniSport Down In Utah Test Flight
An experimental Skycraft SD-1 MiniSport was reported down in Spanish Forks, Utah, with the death of the test pilot.

Canopy Piloting Triple Crown Goes To U.S. Skydiver
Team Alter Ego and US Canopy Piloting Team member, Curt Bartholomew, have won the Triple Crown of Canopy Piloting after winning in Kolomna, Russia. Bartholomew is the first US competitor to earn the distinction.

Cluster Balloonist Abandons Attempt To Cross The Atlantic
Jonathan Trappe’s dream of floating across the Atlantic Ocean beneath of cluster of helium balloons has ended in a safe landing, but on the wrong side of the ocean.

October

Two Caught On Security Camera After Possible Manhattan Skydive
A video camera caught two people in black jumpsuits and black helmets walking near the World Trade Center carrying parachutes in the very early morning hours Monday, leading authorities to believe they had skydived into Lower Manhattan.

EAA: E-AB Fatal Accidents Have Fallen Dramatically In FY 2013
The number of experimental category aircraft fatal accidents fell by 25 percent in fiscal year 2013 according to FAA figures. Year-to-year fatal aviation accidents involving experimental aircraft totaled 55 during FY 2013, down from 73 in 2012.

FAI Ballooning Hall Of Fame Inducts Two
The Federation Aeronautique Internationale inducted two new members ... Col. Joe Kittinger and Rev. John Bacon ... into its International Ballooning Hall of Fame on Friday, October 4, 2013.

Red Bull Posts Schedule For 2014 Air Race Series
The schedule has been posted for the Red Bull Air Races for the 2014 season, with events being held from the Middle East to the U.S. and China.

NC LSA Company To Be Sold At Auction
Opus Aircraft, LLC, manufacturers of Special Light Sport Aircrafts in Rockingham County, NC was slated to be sold at a Sealed Bid Auction on November 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Greensboro, NC.

November

EAA Honors Five Aviators With Hall Of Fame Induction
The EAA recognized the contributions made to the world of flight by five aviators on Thursday, Nov. 14, as it inducts them into the EAA Hall of Fame during a banquet at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, WI.

Falco 30 Years In The Making About To Fly
Thirty years is a long time to park your car in the driveway when you have a perfectly serviceable garage at your house, but Kyle Brumfield of Perry Township in Ohio near Akron was happy to do so. The garage was home to a Falco airplane he has been building for that length of time.

Indianapolis Air Show Permanently Cancelled
Organizers of the Indianapolis Air Show say that they can no longer afford to put on the event, and have closed up shop for good.

Team U.S.A. Wins Silver Medal At World Aerobatic Championships In Texas
For the first time in 10 years, the World Aerobatic Championships were held in the United States. The event, held at North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI) from October 9 to October 20, featured world-class competitors, including U.S. Breitling pilot David Martin.

Academy Of Model Aeronautics Supports FAA's UAV 'Roadmap'
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) president Bob Brown has released a statement congratulating the FAA on its release of a "Roadmap" for the integration of UAVs into the National Airspace System (NAS).

December

Women Set Record For Group Jump In Arizona
The world record for an all-female group skydive was shattered as 63 women from around the world joined hands as they fell from 18,000 feet over the Arizona desert near Eloy.

John Klatt Airshows Introduces The Jet Waco 'Screamin’ Sasquatch'
It looks a little bit like something we might have dreamed up and Photoshopped for the April 1 edition, but no, that's really a Taperwing Waco with a jet engine bolted to its belly.

First Flight A Success For Belite SeaLite 
On the 110th anniversary of the Wright Brother’s first powered flight, Belite announced the successful first test flight of their new aircraft, the Belite SeaLite. The SeaLite is an amphibious, carbon fiber float-equipped aircraft, designed to legally fly under U.S. FAR 103 regulations off of either water or land.

First Flight: Thatcher CX5 SportPlane 
The Thatcher CX5 ... a two-place version of the CX4 kitplane, flew for the first time from Jack Edwards Airport in the Florida panhandle.

Quicksilver Completes Flight Testing For New SLSA 
Quicksilver Aeronautics completed the entire flight test regimen required to comply with ASTM industry consensus standards that the company expects will lead to FAA acceptance.

FMI: www.aero-news.net