A Bipe With Folding Wings, Convertible Cockpit and Aerobatic Goodness!
Sometimes it enough just to be cute... but it doesn't hurt to have a whole lot of other attributes to with one's cuteness... and the Comet FK-12 has that game down pat. A two seat tandem bird, the FK-12 is distributed in the USA by Hansen Air Group.
The aircraft is currently available, as a non-aerobatic mount with a Rotax 912S, while an aerobatic version, using a Lycoming AEIO-233 is in development. A taildragger, the aircraft boasts conventional stick and rudder controls and cruise speeds in the 90-100 knot range. A magnificently designed convertible enclosure system allows one to choose a two pilot bubble canopy, a dual pilot open cockpit arrangement or a single bubble enclosure for one pilot. Each of these cockpit systems can be changed out in a matter of minutes.
With over 100 FK-12 Comets flying worldwide, the design is still fairly new to the USA, but gaining interest rapidly. Heading for availability as an LSA bird, the aircraft has previously been available in Europe as an amateur built kit. A short test flight at Sebring, with a far aft CG (but within limits) and pretty much a gross weight load, offered the better part of 1000 FPM in a climb to 2500 feet and a pretty good slow speed capability down to and through 40 knots. 355 knots is the posted stall speed. ANN is looking forward to a full flight test of the Lycoming powered aerobatic version shortly.
Aero-TV: The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital -- Thirty Years of Saving Sight
Thirty Years of Saving Sight
The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital is literally a hospital with wings that brings together dedicated eye care professionals and aviators to give the gift of sight to developing countries around the world. Onboard the refurbished DC-10 jet aircraft, local doctors, nurses and technicians work alongside ORBIS’s international medical team to exchange knowledge and improve skills.
Airborne 05.14.13: Towers Stay, EAA Makes Membership MTG Changes, Maverick Down
Also: Jabiru Wins In Court, Blues Extended, M2 Mates, Aldrin Wants To Go To Mars, 787 Picks Up Pace
ANN has learned that one of the ridiculous messes created by Washington's inability to prove that it has ANY abilities, namely in terms of governing, has come to an end as the FAA and DoT have caved in and relented on their tower closure fiasco. EAA has traditionally held its membership meeting on the final Saturday of AirVenture, but that will be changing this year and its a change that ANN feels very positive about. The meeting will be held mid-week this year, according to EAA Chairman Jack Pelton. Members will get together on Wednesday, July 31st at 8:30 AM. AirVenture is the organization’s annual convention. One of the developmental prototypes of the Maverick LSA/Flying Car went down this weekend 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. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 05.10.13: Small A/C Revitalization Act, AirVenture Cup, X-47B 'Arrested'
Also: Saving A B-25, Canada Not Happy With Qatar ICAO Grab, S-92 Rig Approach, FutureCub and the TomorrowHawk
In a move that would cut regulations on the general aviation industry and thereby improve safety, decrease costs, and free private-sector innovation, Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), has introduced the Small Aircraft Revitalization Act. The EAA AirVenture Cup Race will feature a new starting point in 2013, This year’s course will start at Mount Vernon Airport (KMVN) in Illinois, include two turn points, and end at Waupaca Municipal Airport (PCZ) about 30 miles northwest of Oshkosh. Officials are also adding several new classes of aircraft to the race, including production-built aircraft, vintage airplanes, and warbirds. Each class has a first, second and third place awards. Maverick, Mother Goose and Iceman would all be proud! The first fly-in arrested landing of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator has been successfully completed by the U.S. Navy and prime contractor Northrop Grumman. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Aero-TV: SAM Aircraft -- A 'Retro' Look For Today's LSAs
A Modern LSA That Reminds Us Of Days Gone By
The LSA movement is filled with examples both old and new... but the SAM LS actually straddles two generations of sport aviation. With classic looks and modern engineering, this diminutive two-seater is aiming to head for production later this year and try to be one of the few successful LSA manufacturers in North America.
The Solar Impulse solar-powered airplane began its trek across the United States on Friday by completing the first leg of its planned transcontinental flight. With Bertrand Piccard at the controls, Solar Impulse launched Friday morning at 06:12 Pacific Daylight Time from Moffett Field in San Francisco, California and landed successfully after a 18 hour flight at 12:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona. Terrafugia, currently in development of the Transition street-legal airplane, has begun feasibility studies of a four-seat, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) plug-in hybrid-electric flying car, the TF-X. Incorporating the state-of-the-art in intelligent systems, fly by wire controls, and currently available technology, the TF-X. will further increase the level of safety, simplicity, and convenience of personal aviation. Talk about taking your own sweet time... Last year, 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. Now, a year later, the FAA has sent a letter to the company saying it needs additional information -- again, a YEAR later. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 05.03.13: Santa Monica Madness, 'Planes' At Oshkosh, 747 Down In Bagram
Also: WingX, ForeFlight, Cessna Sovereign Production Bird Flies, ATR 600 Series Cert, Gamera II Tries Again, Despicablimp!
After a meeting that lasted more than four hours on April 30, the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously for a proposed 250-percent increase in landing fees at the city’s general aviation airport, Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO). A brand new high flying animated adventure film will be ready for take off at this year's AirVenture in Oshkosh. Those attending the EAA spectacular this year will have the opportunity to experience a Special Preview Screening of the Disney animated feature "Planes" at the Fly-In Theater on Friday night, August 2, one week before the movie opens in theaters nationwide. A Boeing 747-400 belonging to National Air Cargo went down Monday afternoon at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. The plane reportedly had seven crew members and five military vehicles on board. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
The D1 Pocket Panel -- Dynon Avionics Portable EFIS
The Race To Save Lots Of Panel Space Appears To Have A Winner!
You had to see it to believe it. The Dynon D1 is a true artificial horizon with accurate pitch and roll, and can find the horizon even if turned on in flight. And it maintains the horizon during extended duration turns. The AHRS sensors also drive a turn rate indicator and slip/skid ball. Included is an internal GPS receiver to display GPS ground speed, altitude, vertical speed, and ground track.
Airborne 04.30.13: SpaceShipTwo Breaks Mach, Furloughs Canceled, 787 Flies Again
Also: Boeing Debris From 9/11, Glasair SB, Tecnam's Astore, Nasty PPG Pilot, More Legal Excess
After a number of unpowered test flights, in which SpaceShipTwo was dropped from beneath its WhiteKnightTwo “Mothership,” to evaluate its flying qualities, SS2 has finally had the chance to fly under power. The vehicle utilizes a rubber-based solid fuel and nitrous oxide to power its single engine propulsion system. In the wake of growing consumer anger over airline flight delays, Congress worked quickly last week to pass legislation that will provide the FAA with funding to eliminate air traffic controller furloughs. The FAA on Thursday said that as soon as U.S. airlines make the necessary changes to the Dreamliner's battery system, it is cleared to return to revenue service. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 04.26.13: SpaceX Climbs, Will You Go To Mars?, Pipistrel Goes Polar
Also: Huerta Under The Gun, Leap Frogs Leap No More, Beech Looses LAS--Again, Prince William Hanging Up his Rotors?, Yet Another Reason To Avoid SnF
Grasshopper continues to grow its space legs. SpaceX has released a new video showing another successful flight of its Grasshopper VTOL vehicle. And every time the fly the rocket, they go exponentially higher. On March 7, the Grasshopper flew to 262 feet. So how would you like to live out the rest of your life… on Mars? Dutch Entrepreneur Bas Lansdorp, has set a very ambitious goal; to establish a human colony on Mars by 2023. But you have to really, really want to go ... because the colonists will not be returning to Earth. Experienced long distance pilot, biologist and photographer Matevž Lenarcic is off again on another adventure. Flying a Pipistrel Virus SW aircraft, he plans to record black carbon readings over the Arctic. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Seasoned Politicians Talk About The Aero-Political Scene At NBAA 2012
The last few months have not been good to the world of aviation... but last fall, there was plenty of data to support the premise that 2013 would be no easier than 2012... and NBAA 2012 provided an amazing place to discuss these issues. In this segment, Senator Jerry Moran, representing the "Very-Aviation" state of Kansas opined as to the what the political climate might have in store for the world of aviation... and it was a most interesting discussion.
Airborne 04.23.13: 787 Approvals, Antares Lifts Off, New Citation X
Also: Dayton Nixes Hiroshima Reenactment, Boeing Adjusts 747-8 Production, Idaho Hang-Gliders, USPA Opposes User Fees
The FAA took the next step in returning the Boeing 787 to flight last Friday by approving Boeing's design modifications for the 787 battery system. This week, the FAA will issue instructions to operators for making those changes and will publish in the Federal Register the final directive that will allow the 787 to return to service. Sunday evening saw Orbital Sciences Corporation achieve another significant milestone in NASA's plan to rely on American companies to launch supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station, with the successful first launch of the Antares rocket. The first production unit of the new Citation X (TEN) has been rolled out at Cessna's Wichita, KS, manufacturing facility. First announced at NBAA in 2010, the new airplane is best known for its top speed of Mach 0.935, which Cessna says makes it the fastest civilian aircraft in the world. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 04.19.13: Dassault Certifications, New Czech LSA, Dreamliner Waits
Also: TBird Update, SpaceShipTwo Progress, AAL Takes Itself Down For A Day, USAF UAV Medal Cancelled, Restoring Blue Angel Funding...
The FAA has certified the two newest members of the Falcon family of business jets, the Falcon 2000S and Falcon 2000LXS. The approvals came just days after the aircraft received its EASA type certificate. Jihlavan Airplanes of the Czech Republic plans to introduced a new mid-line model of ultralight/light sport aircraft, the Skyleader 400. The airplane's "sports car-inspired" design, with new features such as side opening canopy, "aggressive" cowling and easily maneuverable landing gear, is targeted directly at sport aviation enthusiasts. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 05.24.13: FAA To EAA: PAY UP!, PC-24 Unveiled, Cessna JT-A 1st Production Flight
Also: Solar Impulse, More Sequestration Nonsense, Honda Jet Engine Report, Aspen Backup Display, Paul Allen's V-2
Despite a clear mandate in opposition to user fees and similar funding mechanisms oft discussed by the FAA, the agency has decided to start enacting some user fees of its own. And... they've begun by making a pretty aggressive demand for EAA to pay them to staff AirVenture.. EAA Chairman Jack Pelton spoke at length with ANN about this and says the FAA has already presented them with a bill… Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. has unveiled its newest airplane ... the PC-24 ... which it says is the "world's first 'Super Versatile Jet'." This innovative, entirely new development by the Swiss aircraft manufacturer marks what Pilatus says is the creation of a new segment in the business aviation market: the PC-24 is the first business jet worldwide with the ability to use very short runways, paved or unpaved, and a cargo door as standard. Cessna conducted the first production flight of its Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A at the company's facility in Independence, KS on Tuesday. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
You know you're having a bad day when a flight goes so bad that you feel you must resort to using a parachute to see you safely through the flight… and then the chute malfunctions. That's exactly what happened last Thursday to Cirrus Pilot Tim Valentine while enroute from Addison, TX to Kansas. Valentine spoke at length with ANN shortly after the incident saying he experienced an instrumentation failure at 7,000 feet and "in the soup" while trying to avoid the backside of a thunderstorm. With the loss of his HSI and autopilot and a suspect attitude indicator, he decided to hit the silk by deploying the CAPS… a system that had been repacked the year before in accordance with the lifetime limits established by Cirrus. On Thursday the team operating NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity received confirmation in a transmission from the red planet that the rover drove 263 feet, bringing Opportunity's total odometry since landing on Mars in January 2004 to 22.220 statute miles, a new NASA record. Air tour operator Florida Biplanes & Helicopters thinks it will be able to attract passengers going to and from cruises at Port Canaveral to take an aerial tour of the area. To do so FB&H founder Mark Grainger is seeking permission to operate from a helipad in a nearby commercial district, but some neighboring businesses, such as Florida Beer Co., say his R44 helo is too loud! All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 05.17.13: X-47B Carrier Launch, New Base For CAF, Space Oddity... For Real!
Also: Wanna buy A Control Tower?, SAC 7-35 Airdata Computer, Exp 35 Astros Drop In, 777X Team Named, Remembering Frank Beagle, AF Academy Grads Will Get Their Flyover!
The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS-D) completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia Tuesday. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has announced plans to establish the CAF National Airbase at a major metropolitan area and its intent to launch a nationwide search immediately. ISS Commander Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the station has performed a rendition of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" while aboard the orbiting outpost. Released Monday, May 13, the video quickly went viral with several million hits in its first day online and was well past 12 million when last we checked. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
