"Blue Marlin" and "Thunderbird" Make Their Way to Customers

German LSA replica manufacturer Scalewings completed two more examples of their SW-51 Mustang, shipping them off to customers in South Africa and Texas. The team is looking forward to the exhibition circuit this year, coming hot off the heels of expansions to their production facility. Scalewings highlighted some of their recent investments into the improved throughput, hopefully ready to cash in on fresh orders at next month's Sun 'n Fun. "Since late 2022," the company said in a recent update, "we invested great amounts of time and capital into creating a next-level production output to match the high demand of the aircraft. We knew this would not be an easy task, understanding that

Electric Twist on a Wood Favorite

CKD Aero has partnered up with Kite Magnetics to create the Dakota e-Hawk, the “world’s most cost-effective two-seat electric aircraft”. The e-Hawk is intended to be the first in a lineup of kit aircraft using Kite’s KM-60 electric engine and running gear. The KM-60 is much like an old-school piston engine, offering air-cooled, direct drive propulsion with 60 kW (about 80 horsepower). That makes it a perfect fit for CKD Aero's Dakota, making for a 2-seat, high-wing aircraft with all the fueling costs of a golf cart. Some back-of-the-napkin math says that the average flight should 'burn' about $4 worth of electric charge, a much better deal than good old avgas. That will depend on the c

From 2015 (YouTube Version): One of Aviation’s Greatest Efforts Expands Our Ranks With Inspirational New Flyers

In this short, 2 ½ minute video, you’ll see and hear Charles Stites, who is the Executive Director of Able Flight, as he pins pilot wings on four new able flight students. You’ll also receive an introduction to an organization that takes pride in helping people succeed in ways that were not imagined before. Able Flight was created by pilots who believe that the life-changing experience of learning to fly is best shared, and they designed the Able Flight Scholarships to enable people with disabilities to pursue th