New Paint Finishing Line Bumps Output

Daher has been on a tear lately, selling aircraft as fast as they can - and now they're kicking it up a notch with a 38% production increase. The bump in output will take place at the Sandpoint, Idaho facility inherited from Kodiak Aircraft after that company's acquisition by the French manufacturer. The Kodiak 900, a rugged, backcountry-ready single engine turboprop, sports a light touch of French refinement now that it's in Daher's care. The difference is subtle, think more 'oxblood leather' than 'moose blood all over the steps', but it's proven to be a popular one.

As “Nature’s Composite” Becomes Rarer, CKD Begins Moving to Manmade Equipment

CKD Aerospace hit innovation preview with a couple goodies right off the bat, updating fans on their line of kit aircraft, Fisher Flying Products. Of note Richard Kaczmarek, director of CKD, said that further sales of spruce would be hard to expand since the global supply of quality wood is all spoken for. "Mike Fisher designed some beautiful aircraft, all made of Sitka Spruce, nature's composite. Unfortunately nature's composite has been used up, we cannot buy the quality Spruce that we used to be able to purchase. Fisher's goal is now to bring the Fisher product line into the modern age, so that it is still affordable for the builder to build, ea

Aviation History and Innovation a Cornerstone of Sun n’ Fun

While many attending Sun 'n Fun focus on the excitement and thrill of the shows, the chance to see rare aircraft cut a rug, or check out the latest & greatest from the industry, it's good to remember that there's a real treasure in the knowledge one can snag for nothing but elbow grease. Amidst the bustling grounds of the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, a series of forums captivate the essence of aviation history and innovation, weaving a tale of human ingenuity and the undying spirit of exploration. The forums, a cornerstone of the annual event in Lakeland, Florida, offer enthusiasts, veterans, and newcomers alike a unique opportunity to delve into the myriad aspects of aviatio

Commemorative Air Force Liberator "Diamond Lil" and Co. Offer Rides in Style

The SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo is offering a unique opportunity to experience warbirds in a big way with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Aircraft Rides. The event will feature a wide range of warbirds in the daily airshow, and visitors can take the ride of a lifetime. The CAF Aircraft Rides will be held at SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, which is one of the largest and most successful aviation events in the world. The event features air shows, educational exhibits, aircraft static displays, professional gatherings, and more fun activities for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

Refined Propeller Builds on a Classic to Offer a Lightweight, Affordable Performer

Sun 'n Fun is, as ever, the perfect start to a spring full of flight, as everyone brings their A-game to dominate headlines in the sport aviation scene. The newest contender for best-of-show is Ultraprops and their Ultra-Prop II, a new, lightweight design aimed at ultralights and experimentals.Building on the original Ultra-Prop from the 80s, Ultra-Prop (the company) had plenty of know-how to work with. The original design was limited to 4 blades at most, but now builds up to 6 blades cover a range of high-power applications. The new prop sports an improved pitch block and hub design, allowing them to pack a more efficient, longer blade.

Don't Miss Our Comprehensive Annual Coverage Of Aviation's 'Spring Break'

Here it comes! ANN has prepared its most comprehensive coverage EVER of the SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo... and we guarantee you that this is the best there is. We’re already posting stories to the SUN n FUN Digital Daily website at www.snfdd.com, but the real excitement starts on Tuesday morning at 1030ET when the SUN n FUN Innovation Preview starts with announcements of over 30 new products, developments, and other surprises. Log on to www.airborne-live.net t

Returning Grand Champions Strut Their Stuff

SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo is celebrating its 50th anniversary by inviting the owners of past Grand Champions and Reserve Grand Champions to bring their award-winning aircraft back to SUN ‘n FUN as guests and commemorate 50 Years of Fly-In Happy with them. The event, called Echo of Champions, will showcase the best of the best aircraft that have won the highest award, Grand Champion and Reserve Champion amongst each aircraft division. The aircraft will be parked front-row along Taxiway Echo, and visitors can look for these award-winning aircraft as they return to SUN ‘n FUN to once again share their beautiful aircraft with us.

Partnership will "Increase the Awareness, Accessibility, and Safety of Recreational Flying"

Redbird Flight, manufacturer of flight simulators and training devices, came out in force to Sun 'n Fun 2024, with all kinds of new goodies in tow. Their new friends at the Recreational Aviation Foundation have kept up their momentum in keeping a presence at the yearly fly-in, helping them to support the development of future pilots, hone the active ones, and improve safety for all. The new initiative between Redbird and the RAF aims to rectify a shortfall of resources in the industry that leave pilots of all stripes behind the power curve when operating outside the bounds of standard, developed airports.

Flytbase and Skyebrowse Team Up on New Drone Technology

FlytBase, a leading enterprise drone autonomy software platform company based in San Jose, California, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with SkyeBrowse, a renowned drone reality capture platform. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in the field of drone technology, enabling users to capture drone data autonomously through FlytBase and generate detailed 2D and 3D models on SkyeBrowse in mere minutes. Traditionally, creating high-quality 2D and 3D models has been a complex and time-consuming process, often taking hours or even days. However, SkyeBrowse's innovative use of videogrammetry technology allows for the rapid conversion of drone video footage into detaile

Also: Dynon Expands, FeEx Not Happy W/USPS, Soaring Society of America, KleinVision Flying Car 

Van's Aircraft filed its long-awaited Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization with the Federal Bankruptcy Court on March 29, 2024. This step is essential for the company's financial recovery. The process will be complete after the court sets hearing dates and the judge signs a certificate approving the plan. Then, the plan will be mailed to the same approximately 40,000 people notified when Van's filed for bankruptcy. Perrenially troubled ICON Aircraft has filed for Chapter 11 protection. This strategic restructuring process is reportedly aimed at addressing th

In a World Of Screens, Ain't it Nice to Have Paper for a Change?

PilotMap splits from a range of read-room charting options by offering a complete, hard-wired paper map to mount on the wall, with each airfield’s weather shown by a wired LED changing with updated info. It’s a cool - if expensive - kind of functional decoration, and far more charming than having the flickering remains of the cheapest LCD tv on the shelf tuned to the NOAA’s latest weather map. PilotMap’s newest addition to their portfolio includes a range of Euro and British maps, too, covering much of continental Europe and the United Kingdom. The introduction of LED Aviation Weather/METAR Maps for the European and UK regions is an appreciated expan

Also: PETA Sues, AF1 Busts TFR, 747-1000 MAX!!!, 4th Class Medical Certificate

CubCrafters is testing a new backcountry landing gear configuration that the company conceived to dramatically reduce the potential for ground loops in backcountry flying. Recognizing recent industrywide calls from regulators, insurance companies, and many in the pilot community to continue with safety innovation in the backcountry, the company sees broad applications for this new technology. The State of Florida thinks that if you buy a new or used aircraft and sign the bill of sale... this starts "the clock." It is Florida's position that for the next six months (possibly thereaf

While In Cruise Flight In A Gradual Descent, The Airplane’s Two Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors Began Alerting

On April 2, 2024, about 1056 central daylight time, a Mooney M20E airplane, N86UM, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Alpine, Arkansas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight in a gradual descent, the airplane’s two carbon monoxide (CO) detectors began alerting, and he felt symptoms of CO poisoning. The pilot closed the cabin vents, opened a small cockpit window, and attempted to open the door, but was unsuccessful.

From 2023 (YouTube Version): An Eagle by Any Other Name

Originally developed as the Yuma by Alisport, an Italian aircraft manufacturer based in the Northern Italian city of Cremella, the Aquilae (ACK-will-lay) is a kit-built, STOL-capable, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) distributed in the U.S. by Kent, Illinois-based North American Eagle. Aquilae is the Latin term for Eagle. As implied by its eligibility for certification as an LSA, the Aquilae’s maximum gross weight is 1,320-pounds. The aircraft is powered by a one-hundred-horsepower no

Aero Linx: Florida Antique Biplane Association "Biplanes.....outrageous fun since 1903."  That quote really defines what the Florida Antique Biplane Association (FABA) is all about. Our members are dedicated to preserving pre-1950 Biplanes, while aviating around the gorgeous state of Florida to fly-ins hosted by fellow members.

As Long As You Ask Us, It's Usually OK

It's a question the ANN staff is asked too many times per week to count. The message usually goes something like this: "I really enjoyed the story Aero-News did on (fill in topic here.) I'd love to post it on my blog/newsletter/website... is that OK?"

Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) The operation of a UAS beyond the visual capability of the flight crew members (i.e., remote pilot in command [RPIC], the person manipulating the controls, and visual observer [VO]), if used to see the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, spectacles, and contact lenses.