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.

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

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

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”. 

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.

Marine Seascapes, Cinematic Journeys Give Locals a Show

The big draw this time around was a bigger show than ever held before, with 4 scheduled performances that used hundreds of drones in simultaneous flight to produce a nighttime light show. "We are delighted that the Drone Show Festival is a prestigious award for the winners in the animation category of the Drone Show Competition," said Alexander Levandovskiy, Head of Drone Show Technologies at SPH Engineering. "Over the past two years, this collaboration has profoundly impacted the industry, fostering creativity, innovation, and drive to exceed boundaries among providers."

Strong Interest from M700 Fury and Archer Trainers

Piper Aircraft took advantage of the journalistic interest around AirVenture 2024 to take the spotlight to show just how good sales have been - and sales have been pretty darn good. Overall, Piper is just about track to deliver 300 aircraft this year, a 22% jump from its 2023 performance. Deliveries in the first half of the year came out 16% better than the same period last year, bolstered by the launch of the brand new M700 Fury. That aircraft, unsurprisingly, was a big seller from the start, with 50 expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

Refreshed Design is Sleeker, Quicker, and Better All Around

Samson Sky had mentioned that its flying car, the Switchblade, would be getting a few aerodynamic and production tweaks as they move towards production, but their newest announcement surprised AirVenture attendees with a fully revamped fuselage design. Samson Sky Founder Sam Bousfield said they'd taken a wholistic approach to the aerodynamic redesign, looking to improve nearly every aspect of the Switchblade. The end result? A much sleeker, less visually 'busy' design. “When all configurations were reviewed," he said, "there was no question that we should embrace a more streamlined body design with thrusters,” said Bousfield. “It allowed us to keep what worked well during flight testing, plus more fully protect the flying surfaces in ground mode.”

Wipaire Shows Off Fresh STC at AirVenture

Wipaire brought out some good news for Cessna Caravan operators in the form of their newly approved STC for the installation of Hartzell Propeller's Yukon four-blade prop. The company brought out their own modified Caravan, allowing AirVenture audiences to start imagining how they'd mod their own C-208s at home. The 110-inch diameter prop can be had with or without TKS icing protection or electric de-ice boots, so it can be had for pretty much any environment a Caravan may find. The Yukon's 137-pound full composite construction frees up a nifty 19 pounds compared to the stock prop, with improved performance to boot. The 4-blader is a surprisingly effective mod for the Caravan, if Wipaire's testbed is any indication. Their float-equipped testbed saw a 26% reduction in total takeoff distance on land, and an eye-popping 31% reduction on water. 

A Welcome Change for Exhibitors and Visitors Alike

Every year since 2008, EAA’s Oshkosh AirVenture has hosted a specialized program dedicated to motivating women to get involved in aviation. These events, collectively titled “WomenVenture”, have truly caught wind within the last 3 years, allowing them to expand in both frequency and attendance. Still, as the doors open in 2024, WomenVenture organizers are preparing to welcome more visitors than ever due to its new and improved location. The 2024 WomenVenture programming is centered on women in vertical lift and rotorcraft missions, though there is sure to be something there for everyone during the week. To become a part of the fun, visit the EAA WomenVenture website - and even consider signing up for a (free!) T-Shirt.