2024 Bash Bigger than Ever

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo 2024 will sport some big names from the country scene next year, with performances on tap from Trace Adkins and special guest Sara Evans starting off the week. Their show will kick things off on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, starting at 6 PM local, taking place on Warbird Ramp and its wide assortment of eye candy. It will start the show off on a high note, which will hopefully only get higher as the rest of the week's performers take to the skies.

Customers to See Replacement Parts, Price Changes as Company Reorganizes and Reorients

Van's Aircraft has announced the first bevy of changes to impact customers at their firm, clarifying that those with deposits on kits, engines, props, and avionics will see rolling updates to their order process as procedures fall into place. First off, Van's spoke to the customer block who were sent the later-model, apparently inadequate "laser-cut parts" in place of older-spec punched parts. The issue has been one of the driving causes of the firm's fall into Chapter 11, requiring the mass replacement of pricey aircraft pieces without any compensation. The company's investigations pointed to a fairly safe arrangement even with the laser-cut parts, but customer sentiment has largely driven Van's to replace them out of customer goodwill and an abundance of caution.

Address to the Fans Lays Out Case for Restructuring

"I realize that the word "bankruptcy" here is shocking, however, the key word here is "reorganization", which implies continued operation and improvement. Our doors will remain open and we will continue to work hard to serve our customers," said VanGrunsven. "Customers will be sent an email that will take them to a portal with the details of their existing order, the amount of their deposits, and Van's proposed modifications. Van's will apply the full prior dollar amount of deposits and payments to the modified kit orders. Treatment of deposits made on engines, propellers, and avionics will be determined later."

Archaeology, Skyraiders, Tomcats, and more

The first bunch of 2024 speakers for the EAA Aviation Adventure Series has been published, including a range of off-beat aeronautical missions and historical happenings. The Series will offer presentations throughout the winter, spring, and summer at 1900 hrs (central time). Each presentation will be held at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

From 2010 (YouTube Version): As Amazing As The ABQ Balloon Fiesta Is... The Pilots Are Even More So!

In a few recent Aero-TV programs, we've had the great good fortune to relate some of the amazing sights, sounds and sensations we encountered at the 2010 ABQ Balloon Fiesta... and the word 'amazing' barely does this event justice. Really... it's THAT great an event. But... one particular element stands out as the key ingredient in what makes ABQ a world-renowned event... the people... especially the balloon pilots that flock to this annual gathering of all things that float, fly and levitate amongst the backdrop of New Mexico's stunning Sandia Peak.

Unable To Restore Power To The Engine, He Elected To Execute A Forced Landing

On November 17, 2023, about 1708 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair IV-P, N37MB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Perry, Florida. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight at 11,500 ft mean sea level (msl) with about 40 minutes of daylight remaining when he noted that a ceiling had developed below him.

From 2015 (YouTube Version): A Unique Gyroplane Offers Side-By-Side Seating

ANN’s roving News Editor, Tom Patton, stopped to talk about gyro planes while he was attending the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at Sebring, Florida. He had the chance to talk to Chris Lord, the president and CEO of Pictaio aerospace. The gyroplane they had on display is unique because it’s a 2-place machine that seats the pilot and passenger side-by-side rather than the more typical tandem seating of other gyro planes. Tom starts his questioning by asking about this configuration. Among other things, Lord points out that it offers more room for the pilot and passenger and more baggage space behind the seats.

From 2023 (YouTube Version): Germany’s Best by Way of Florida

Established in 1980 by German aerobatic pilot Walter Extra as a means by which to design and develop his own airplanes, EXTRA Aircraft—EXTRA Flugzeugbau in its founder’s native tongue—has evolved into one of the world’s premier makers of aerobatic aircraft. EXTRA’s aircraft line-up comprises the EXTRA 330 SC, a single seat, low-wing, aerobatic monoplane possessed of the sort of aerobatic performance that won world championships in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022; the EXTRA 330 LX, a two-seat, tandem arrangement, low-wing, aerobatic monoplane eminently suited to both aerobatic competition and dual instruction; the EXTRA 330, a slick, two-seat, glass-panel machine that EXTRA rightfully touts as the Aerobatic Tourer; the EXTRA 330 LP, a two-seat, tandem arrangement, low-wing aerobatic monoplane that’s slightl