Classy New Colorway Commemorates Beechcraft’s Classic Cruiser

Buyers of the Beechcraft King Air 260 and 360 can now opt for a celebratory red, blue, and silver livery released to commemorate six decades of the marque. The 'best-selling business turboprop family in the world' remains a strong seller for the Textron brand, combining rugged go-anywhere performance with sweet handling and a capacious interior to match. The special 'Crimson Edition' includes more than a custom color scheme, too. The boarding stair has revised fixtures and fasteners that help to make the assembly sleeker and seamless. Going inside, that effort continues with some small but meaningful touches to evoke the history of the Beechcraft name, with the brand's logo on sidewalls and bulkhead panels.

07.24.24: Extra's Latest, GoAero, Kiddie Pedal Plane Parade, Pelton On Safety

We’ve seen some extraordinary homebuilt projects, several of them replicas of historic aircraft, but a gorgeous, stunning and all-around incredible 2/3 scale P-38 may top them all... and then there’s the story about how it came to be and the folks that are it’s caretakers now. Come Wednesday morning, the female staff of the Aero-News Network disappear... to attend various WomenVenture functions and enjoy the partnership WAI has created amongst a growing segment of the aviation community. The LSA crowd has been going ga-ga- over various promised high-wing platforms, but one of the most breathlessly anticipated new birds comes from Sonex... who is displaying their in-progress prototype high-wing platform for the first time. Count on Walter Extra to keep raising the aerobatic bar. The Extra gang unveiled their latest aerobat at the IAC Headquarters b

07.25.24: King Schools Expansion, Avilution Update, Gogo Communicates!, Pelton Int'vw-Part 4 

The annual Meet The Administrator event was not what we hoped for. The Administrator didn’t show up and apparently disappointed, neither did Jack Pelton (who often oversees this event). From the allotted time of 1130 to 1245 CT, the FAA talked, answered some prepared questions from EAA and ignored the audience. Finally, after the official end time, they took a few questions... but offered little in the way of answers. Year after year, MOSAIC has been promised to an aviation community hungry for progress and the chance to build a new industry that is more accessible, more affordable and read for the future... but the FAA has delayed the release of MOSAIC for a number of reasons and we still seem to be waiting, for now at least, for a release pretty close to Oshkosh 2025. OUCH... Citing record medical applications, the Federal Air Surgeon p

Young Eagles Get New Chief

The Experimental Aviation Association announced a new chairman for the Young Eagles Program, NFL All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham.  “Jimmy Graham has been dedicated to aviation and especially introducing others to flight over the past several years, including as Young Eagles co-chair,” said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “We are very appreciative that Jimmy accepted our invitation to lead Young Eagles and bring his inspiring story to young people as an example of focus and achievement.”

Three Kit Airplanes Dedicated to Helping the Non-Profit Thrive

On day 2 of EAA’s Oshkosh AirVenture, the Bob Hoover Academy announced an extremely generous donation from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation: three CarbonCub kit planes. The Bob Hoover Academy, led by CEO Sean Tucker, is a non-profit organization based out of Salinas, California. Its primary goal is to inspire at-risk teens using aviation as a platform. In their 12 years of operation, they have given hundreds of adolescents a purpose and a passion for the industry. Several companies have stepped up to help fund the Academy’s mission. Game Composites, CubCrafters, and AOPA have all played a large role in its development and outreach. The newest donation, however, will open further doors for the organization and the teens it works to support. The Siebel donation provides funds for three CarbonCub EX-2 airplane kits that will be integrated into the program. Alongside the curriculum, the teens will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of aircraft cons

The Evolution of Award-Winning 330SC Commences

Extra Aircraft unveiled the company’s brand-new 330SX during the morning of Oshkosh Day 1. This ceremony was conducted by CEO and Founder Walter Extra’s son, Marcus Extra. The company was founded in 1980 as a one-man show. It has since exponentially grown in size and popularity, manufacturing a total of 850 aerobatic aircraft. The Extra 330SX, an evolution of the 330SC, has very recently rolled off the production line. Less than 10 have reached the market so far, and 2 of them are on display at this year’s Oshkosh AirVenture outside the International Aerobatic Club. The 330SX includes several upgrades from the previous model. It has updated avionics, including a Garmin G3X touch panel and a Trig Avionics transponder. Extra also notes that it has more effective ailerons, improving its overall maneuverability. The most significant change, however, is the cockpit itself. The engine was shifted to provide a more comfortable space for the pilot, an adaptation that occurred after Mar

Day 3 of the Airshow has a Wholesome Start

The Kiddy Pedal Plane Parade has been running annually at EAA’s Oshkosh AirVenture for the last five years. Its debut in 2018 was a last-second decision, but it managed to pull together a 31-person pedal plane crew. In 2019, the gathering pulled together a Guinness World Record attempt of 51 pedal planes. It is irresistibly wholesome, making it an AirVenture fan-favorite as it continues to grow. Hundreds of spectators take to the outskirts of Celebration Way to view the parade. It consists of a short loop over the painted compass, then a trip to Boeing Plaza for a group photo. For the time it occurs, the event is all “ooh”s to the pedal planes and “aww”s to their “pilots”. 

07.23.24: VerdeGo Powers Up, Frecce Tricolori, Pelton Int'vw - Part 2: MOSAIC!!!!

They flew the Samson Sky earlier this year… and the data is yielding some exciting updates and modifications for the unique roadable airplane/flying car program. The Able Flight ceremony at Oshkosh is one of our favorite events, as a number of new pilots, who have proven themselves to be ‘hand-capable’ join our ranks. How aviation will power its convoluted future is a question that some of the best minds in aviation are trying to answer… and MagniX is competing for a share of what that will look like. Hartzell continues to build an incredible suite of prop products… while Hartzell Engine Technologies continues to support just about everything forward of the firewall. VerdeGo is working hard to develop the next generation of power and propulsion technologies, ANN checks in to get a progress report. The huge formation skills of th

Turns Out Getting Rid of Lead is Easier Said Than Done

Unleaded aviation fuels have emerged as a critical topic of discussion within the aviation industry, driven by the need for more environmentally friendly and health-conscious alternatives to traditional leaded aviation fuels. The transition to unleaded aviation fuels represents a significant shift in the aviation sector, with implications for aircraft performance, environmental impact, regulatory compliance, and industry sustainability. One of the primary motivations behind the development of unleaded aviation fuels is the desire to reduce the environmental footprint of aviation operations. Leaded aviation fuels, which contain tetraethyl lead, have been linked to air pollution and adverse health effects, prompting calls for cleaner alternatives.

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