Aircraft Originally Built For National Geographic Research Project

You may not know the name Lockwood Aircraft -- even though it is very probable you know Lockwood Aviation Supply, the seller and service organization for the Rotax line of engines. Lockwood Aircraft is a new business formed to manufacture, sell, and service the twin-engine Air-Cam and the line of Drifter light aircraft.

The company is preparing to display a land version of the Air-Cam, as well as an amphibious version of the twin-engine homebuilt. As it did this spring at the Lakeland Fly-In, the OshKosh AirVenture display signals the return of the Air-Cam to the leadership of Phil Lockwood, whose team created the iconic aircraft under contract from National Geographic more than a decade ago.

"We were fortunate to find an excellent exhibit location at EAA's big summer airshow," reported company president, Phil Lockwood. "We will be on Knapp Road near Building B and next to the EAA Membership tent just south of the main east/west entry street."

As ANN reported, drawing on his experience as a wildlife camera plane pilot Lockwood designed and built the first AirCam, an innovative twin-engine camera plane, for a special National Geographic research project about the Ndoki Rain forest in northern Congo. Later, Lockwood oversaw the development and production of the Air Cam as a fast build kit plane, while serving as president of Leza Lockwood Corp.

In early 2007 Lockwood completed a deal to purchase all design rights, inventory, and tooling from prior owner, Antonio Leza. All components are now housed in new quarters at Lockwood's Sebring, FL, airport location.

FMI: www.lockwood-aviation.com