Who Loves Ya, Baby? Obviously, These Companies Do...
Completing our roster of exemplary sponsors,
ANN is pleased to draw your attention to the following six
companies that helped make it possible for us to bring all these
stories to you, day by day, from Good ol' Oshkosh... the most
aviation friendly place on Mother EARTH.
In addition to Lead Sponsor Cirrus Design, and
Major Sponsors Bombardier, Sennheiser and
Unison, please note that these folks gave us
critical support so that we could write all these cool stories for
you...
ANN Supporting Sponsors
Aerocomp, Inc.
AirVenture Display Area 290
Product Line?
You Want A Product Line?
Aerocomp, Inc. manufactures kits for a complete family of
all-composite kit-built airplanes, ranging in size from 2
to 11 seats, powered by engines from 65 to 660 hp, with
cruise speeds ranging from 75 mph to 275 mph TAS. Do you know
ANYONE else who can make that claim? Nope? Now, THAT's a
product line!
Aerocomp's specialty is all-composite airplanes featuring big
roomy cabins, with high useful loads, and excellent short
field/off-airport takeoff/landing characteristics.
American Autogyro
AirVenture Display Area #47 Display Area
#47,
just west of North Hangar C near the Main Gate in the Main Aircraft
Display
The sport rotorcraft
industry is one of the most exciting aviation industries in the
world... it is also one of the most critical in terms of the need
for solid engineering, design and manufacturing practices -- not
always a major feature among many sport rotorcraft manufacturers.
American Autogyro, Inc., growing out of the highly regarded Groen
Brothers rotorcraft operation, has stepped up to fill
a here-to-fore unfilled void... first with an extensive
retrofit kit designed to make one of the more popular two place
gyros adhere to safer and more acceptable engineering and
aerodynamic practices, as well as an all-new design to offer
to those just entering this exciting industry and hobby, The AAI
Sparrowhawk.
American Autogyro, Inc. will be offering introductory flight
lessons, for a nominal charge, at Fond du Lac Airport, a short
drive south of Oshkosh. Several SparrowHawk prototypes will be
on hand to accommodate those interested in taking a ride in what
Jim Mayfield, AAI President and Chief Test Pilot, calls the most
stable aircraft he has ever flown during his 35 year flight
career. Jim is one of only a handful of individuals certified
as a gyroplane pilot examiner by the FAA and is a well-respected
member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), an elite
world wide organization of only 1800 pilots. With more than
3,300 hours of gyroplane flight time and over 12,800 total hours
flight time, he has been Chief Test Pilot on more than 225
aircraft. AAI will provide a free shuttle service
between AirVenture and Fond du Lac.
BRS Parachutes
AirVenture Display Area #58 in the GA area
opposite Cirrus Design, just inside the main gate,
AND Corner space 566C on the ultralight area flight
line
You have no idea what a pleasure it is to have
BRS as a Supporting Sponsor of ANN's Coverage of
Oshkosh 2003... but then again, they've been VERY supportive of ANN
Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell, in the past... The hard way.
If you take a look at the long list of LIVE/LIVING/NOT-DEAD
people who have fired off a BRS Chute "in anger," you'll see his
name on the list. So he's not just a grateful Sponsoree... but a
survivor -- thanks to the GREAT Letdown that
a BRS provides when the whole world has decided that it's NOT going
to be your day.
So... who are these guys? Simple... when all else has failed,
these guys are the only ones that can give you that ONE last chance
that no one else can (unless you have a direct line to the
Al,mighty him/herself). BRS is a company specializing in novel and
exquisitely engineered SAFETY systems... specifically, WHOLE
AIRCRAFT parachute recovery systems, that can keep an aircraft from
inheriting the earth at the kinds of destructive speeds that would
not otherwise allow for your survival. Over 150 people can attest
to this... 150+ LIVE people. Get the picture?
New Glasair/New GlaStar
AirVenture Display Area 468, 469
In 1980 the kitplane industry was
revolutionized by the introduction of the Glasair - the world's
first pre-molded composite kitplane. They have remained on the
leading edge of the exciting world of homebuilt aviation ever
since! New Glasair - New GlaStar is now one of the largest, most
well established kitplane manufacturers in the world, with more
than 2,500 kits in the field and some 1,200 aircraft flying in
countries around the world.
Their hard-earned reputation for innovative design,
thorough engineering, quality components and conscientious customer
service is unequaled in the industry. Whether your definition of
flying fun is zooming off on a long cross-country in style and
comfort, playing fighter pilot for an afternoon in your personal
aerial hotrod, or dropping into a short mountain airstrip with a
load of camping gear, New Glasair - New GlaStar has THE airplane to
fill your needs!
New Piper
AirVenture Display Area 72-75, 79-82
When Mr. Piper introduced the Piper Cub in 1937, he had a dream.
He felt that everyone should fly. And he believed that Piper could
provide everyone with that freedom.
Still keeping his dream alive today, Piper is the only
general aviation manufacturer to offer a complete line of
aircraft to help realize the flying dreams of most any
pilot. From rugged, reliable trainers to high-performance business
turbo-props, Piper creates the highest quality aircraft for
everyone -- from new pilots to adventure-seekers to serious
business travelers.
We know we don't just make airplanes. We create the freedom
of flight.
Velocity Aircraft
AirVenture Display Area 412, 413, 418, 419
They're truly one of the most respected
names in sport aviation.... Velocity Aircraft. One of the first to
get beyond the limits of two-place high-performance Sportplane
constraints, Velocity Aircraft has combined rugged composite
construction with excellent handling, roomy cabins, speedy economy,
and solid four or five seat family-carrying capabilities into one
of the most respected aircraft in the business.