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Experimental Aircraft Research

Editor — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:31:58 +0000

A look at the evolution of aviation reveals that many times it was flight enthusiasts and amateurs who led the way in developing foundations on which improvements could be made to transform and develop the world of aviation as it is known today. It is for these very reasons that the National Transportation Safety Board will be conducting research into the technology and innovations of amateur built and experimental aircraft. Not only will it give the board insight into the world of experimental aircraft but assist them in establishing what safety measures are being used, as well as the experience levels of these builders.

Later in July the Experimental Aircraft Association will be hosting their annual festival, named AirVenture, where experimental aircraft will be flown in from all over the United States to participate in this event. It lasts for a week and is one of the most popular and largest aviation events on the calendar. To assist the National Transportation Safety Board in their research, the Experimental Aircraft Association will be conducting a survey amongst their more than one hundred thousand members. The survey questionnaire will be asking members about pilot training in regard to their aircraft, if pilots need to undergo additional training to pilot the aircraft, what engines were used in their design, how they configured their landing gear, and if their aircraft has any safety features such as airbags and seat belts. Members will also be asked about flight hours, what type of aircraft they have and if they hold any certificates.

The survey and its answers will allow the National Transportation Safety Board to gather enough information to find out what training and background the people working on the aircraft have, what parts of the aircraft are being modified and the reasons for modifying the parts, as well as what technical specifications the builders are following. Understanding how the experimental aircraft are being built and the experience that the builders have will give the National Transportation Safety Board the opportunity to assist experimental aircraft builders in increasing their safety measures, as it has been confirmed that of the estimated one thousand five hundred accidents that occurred in 2010, two hundred of them were amateur built aircraft, and they make up fifteen percent of the aircraft in the United States. Assisting this area of aviation will be advantageous for the experimental aviation industry and advise the NTSB on where they will be able to assist.

AirVenture Oshkosh 2009

Editor — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:02:01 +0000

Taking place from 27 July through to 2 August 2009, this popular event draws crowds from far and wide, year after year, and longtime attendees agree that you need more than one day to enjoy all that is on offer.

Date: 27 July – 2 August 2009
Venue: Oshkosh
City: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Country: USA

Airventure

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:21 +0000

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA at the Wittman Regional Airport
Next fly-in: July 23-29, 2007

Billed as “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” AirVenture Oshkosh is certainly the world’s best-known fly-in and airshow event. It began in 1953 and now boasts more than 600,000 attendees. For many participants, the most exciting part of the event is flying to AirVenture and camping beside their airplanes. In 2006, nearly 10,000 aircraft arrived at Oshkosh from all over the world.

Daily air shows feature numerous war birds and popular civilian aircraft. Airshow demonstrations by outstanding pilots such as Patty Wagstaff ensure exciting and memorable performances.

Workshops, exhibitors, and notable announcements from leading aircraft manufacturers like Cessna and Boeing add to the excitement of Oshkosh.
For more information visit the AirVenture Website at www.airventure.org or at the following telephone numbers: 920-426-4800 or during AirVenture call 920-230-7800 and tell them airplanes.com events planner sent you!

Revolutionary Sport Plane Debuts at Air Venture

Editor — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:48:50 +0000

The Oshkosh AirVenture 2008 has already been running for a few weeks now, yet it seems it’s not yet too late for a few new things. Icon Aircraft recently unveiled their new ICON A5 sport plane at the aviation event in Wisconsin, much to the praise of the public and media.

ICON Aircraft has been making start-up Light Sport Aircraft for a while now and it seems that they’ve got back to basics with their latest creation, the ICON A5. The small, amphibious aircraft features two-seats and retractable landing gear, which makes is possible to take off on land and water. Folding wings make it easy to tow or store the aircraft – especially if it’s being moved from one destination to another. All these consumer-friendly features have gone a long way to gaining the new aircraft some noteworthy attention. According to ICON Aircraft Founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins, the company has been trying to help aviation enthusiasts rediscover the fun, freedom and adventure that early aviation pioneers loved. As part of that vision, the company is bringing “sport and passion back to flying through a vehicle that delivers that experience in a way no other vehicle can”.

So apart from water-tight features and a cozy cabin, what else can fans find in the new aircraft? The ICON A5 is powered by a reliable 100 hp Rotax 912 ULS engine that will not only propel the aircraft at an estimated top speed of 120 mph, but can be fueled by both auto and aviation gasoline. The body is modeled on a lightweight carbon fiber airframe, which no doubt helps with the fact that the aircraft has a fuel efficiency of up to 20 mpg. A propeller guard, angle of attack indicator and quick-deploying ICAP are just some of the safety features that have been carefully styled into the great look. A Seawings platform makes for easy access and docking on water while the cock-pit is more suited to causal pilots with user-friendly features such as an MP3 music port and a cockpit styled after the interiors of a car. The new features will certainly help the ICON A5 to appeal to people of all ages, which was one of the main goals of the project. The full-scale test prototype that was unveiled just days ago completed its first flight on July 9. Deliveries are scheduled to start in late 2010 and orders are already being placed for this great little aircraft.

Cirrus Gets Ready for Test Campaign

Editor — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:04:14 +0000

The striking new Cirrus Vision SJ50 V1 has already managed to accumulate 25 hours of test flight since it first took to the skies on July 3. Now it seems that it is ready to undergo a rather rigorous test campaign, which will ultimately help to validate the technology required to finish off the aircraft.

The Cirrus Vision SJ50 V1 is the first jet manufactured by the general aviation aircraft manufacturer. So far, the personal jet has already been put through its paces quite a bit, having been flown to 16 000ft at speeds of up to 208 knots. It has also cruised along at a much slower rate of 78 knots and has undergone partial flaps in level flight. All this prior testing has helped to refine the aircraft by identifying potential bugs in the electronics and by testing the efficacy of the data acquisition systems. It has also helped to provide basic flying familiarization for people such as test pilots who may be required to pilot the aircraft. All this was done in preparation of the aircrafts flight to the AirVenture Show in Oshkosh and was needed to prove that such a flight could be made safely. Since having accomplished these goals and flying to the show in Wisconsin in July, the V1 technology demonstrator will now explore the flight envelope. The SJ50 is rather unique, since it is a non-conforming aircraft.

So now Cirrus is busy with their jet advisory team to further refine the design of the aircraft. One change that has already been scheduled is that of replacing the original twin-door with a port side door. Another change is to fit a starboard window plug, which will not only cut maintenance costs and weight but also create an emergency exit. The original design also had winglets, but these have since been eliminated from the design since it was found that they had no aerodynamic benefits. With the formal certification campaign set to start later in the third quarter, Cirrus are expecting certification and delivery of their new V1 aircraft by 2011. However pricing and delivery dates to customers have yet to be confirmed.

Cirrus Vision SJ50 Jet Debuts At Oshkosh

Editor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:57:30 +0000

The long awaited Cirrus Vision SJ50 Jet made its much anticipated public debut at this year’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aircraft jetted in with a high-speed pass before landing on Runway 27 and being towed to a small stage in AeroShell Square, where it was put on display for potential clients to see.

The single-engine prototype was flown by test pilot Kent Vandergrift who did a fantastic job of displaying the aircraft’s capabilities and striking good looks. Once the aircraft had done the work of drawing in the crowds, Cirrus co-founders Alan and Dale Klapmeier congratulated their team and settled down to talk about the aircraft. Alan Klapmeier noted that their goal had been to create an airplane that would appeal to the public and that they themselves would enjoy flying. He is quoted as saying that the jet “gives you more performance but still is closer to the personal aircraft that we are used to flying.” It was never meant to be a business jet or a VLJ – it is a simple and easy-to-use fan-powered high-performance aircraft. Alan noted that the aircraft “takes Cirrus to the next level”. Test pilot Vandergrift also stuck around to give his opinion on the aircraft’s flight performance. Vandergrift said it “is a great airplane to fly. She scoots. She is a slick airplane and climbs like a banshee.” And the aircraft certainly did look easy to fly. According to Vandergrift the aircraft has flown about 25 hours at up to 200 knots since its first test flight on July 3. After the AirVenture air show, the aircraft will be pushed to 300 knots.

The sleek SJ50 prototype is not pressurized and the non-production door which has been fitted to the aircraft is especially easy to jettison in an emergency situation. There is also a stall-spin chute for similar safety reasons. The aircraft emits very little noise and its sleek design is certainly very eye-catching. So far the air taxi provider SATSAir, which was purchased by Cirrus in 2005, has placed the first order for the aircraft for five SJ50s which will be added to their existing fleet of Cirrus SR22s. The company is hoping that they will be able to make customer deliveries by 2011.

Oshkosh Debut Venue for Cessna’s New Light Sport Aircraft

Editor — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:33:46 +0000

The EAA AirVenture air show at Oshkosh has certainly attracted a lot of attention from manufactures, buyers and the general public. What better place could there be to unveil a new aircraft? Cessna Aircraft Co. recently joined a string of other aircraft manufacturers and chose the Oshkosh convention as the place to début their new light sport aircraft: the 162 SkyCatcher.

Cessna’s début of the 162 SkyCatcher saw their first production model put on display. The aircraft has been under development since 2007 when they announced plans to develop a light sport aircraft at the AirVenture show. Within just one year of that unveiling, the orders started piling in and there were more than 1 000 orders for the new light sport aircraft. Though the aircraft is not quite ready for delivery just yet, it is expected to be complete by the latter half of 2009.

Fans of Cessna are no doubt eagerly awaiting their first 162 SkyCatcher. The aircraft has been developed to meet basic requirements and costs around $111 000. It is a two-seat aircraft (including the pilot’s seat) that can reach 15 500 feet, cruise at a speed of 118 knots and it has a maximum range of 470 nautical miles. The aircraft is all-metal and features a single engine piston. There is suitable space for luggage behind the seats and the aircraft is both Day and Night VFR flight compliant. The aircraft’s cabin width is 44.25 inches at the shoulders and it has a span of 30 ft. The fuel capacity is 24 gallons and the standard empty weight of the two-blade fixed-pitch propeller-driven aircraft is 830 lbs.

It might not have all the perks and accessories that are offered in other light sport aircraft, but it also doesn’t come with a super big price tag. The Cessna 162 SkyCatcher is affordable, sporty and personal – exactly the sort of thing that a lot of aviation fans are looking for. Cessna is already the largest general aviation airplane manufacturer in the world in terms of sales, and it currently operates in 34 different countries. If you would like to know more about the 162 SkyCatcher, you can visit Cessna’s official website or pop past their stall at the AirVenture convention.

GX Light Sport Aircraft Unveiled by Remos at Oshkosh

Editor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:11:27 +0000

The Experimental Aircraft Association‘s (EAA) AirVenture at Oshkosh in Wisconsin has always been a staging ground for new and exciting aircraft developments and this year was no different. Remos Aircraft recently used the opportunity to unveil the company’s brand new REMOS GX lightweight sport aircraft.

The striking new GX is essentially an upgrade of the G-3. The aircraft has a 650-pound load capacity and a number of great new features. One of these is a modified airfoil that enables the aircraft to have better turbulence penetration. Another is a new dorsal fin that has been proven to assist with flight stability. The new aircraft is also exceptionally lightweight. It makes use of a new carbon fiber wing with a monocoque construction. The many new developments were unveiled at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh by new Remos Aircraft CEO Corvin Huber. During the unveiling, Huber remarked that the company could “never rest on laurels” and said that they would “always seek ways to refine or upgrade the basic design.” He also said that the “new GX enhances a proven and reliable aircraft, bringing the latest technology into the mix and assuring that Remos maintains its point position in Light Sport Aircraft going forward.”

The new REMOS GX light sport aircraft also has other new features that future owners can look forward to. An expanded cargo area, changes to the fuselage, a night visual flight rules certification and a ground-adjustable Sensenich propeller are some of the other features that the new aircraft enjoys. A number of enhanced safety features will also, no doubt, prove to be a huge plus to the discerning sport aircraft buyer. The REMOS GX light sport aircraft is also small, attractive and good value for money. It continues to be on display at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Exhibit Hanger C if you are in the vicinity and want to get a better look. If not, you can learn more about it at Remos’ official website. The website carries specs, photographs and other detailed information regarding the construction and use of the GX model. Clearly this new and improved Remos aircraft will prove to be popular with an already loyal group of buyers.

AirVenture 2008 Casts Spotlight on Homebuilt Aircraft

Editor — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:07:59 +0000

Every year the Experimental Aircraft Association holds its AirVenture celebration, but lately fans have been worried that that the event is slipping further and further away from its homebuilt roots. Indeed, it has been giving more and more floor space to plane manufacturers like Cessna and Cirrus over the years, but this year the EAA is attempting to ensure that homebuilt aircraft gets the spotlight.

EAA has done their best to ensure that homebuilt aircraft get adequate representation at this year’s AirVenture by inviting almost 1000 homebuilders to the event. The show, which will take place from July 28 to August 3, will gives home aircraft builders a chance to not only show off their produce, but also to share building tips with peers. The EAA will also be recording a “Hints for Homebuilders” segment during the course of the event. The video will feature any homebuilders who feel that they have helpful hints and tips to share on their trade who feel they would like to become a part of the popular online video series.

Another aspect of the EAA AirVenture 2008 will be the “30 000 & Climbing” celebration. The event marks the building milestone of 30 000 certified experimental amateur homebuilt aircraft and the honorary 30 000th homebuilt will be on display at AeroShell Square on July 30-31 for all to see. Pilots who want to take part in the events by flying their homebuilt during the course of AirVenture will be given an “I Flew My Homebuilt” 2008 commemorative patch to mark their achievement.

Other aspects of this year’s AirVenture to look forward too include workshops for those interested in building an aircraft or for those already engaging in the activity who would like to improve their existing skills. The workshops are modeled on the highly successful EAA SportAir Workshops and will cover a number of tasks such as sheet metal construction, engine assembly, riveting and more. If this is the aspect of the event you are most looking forward to, you will find the Worshop Area adjacent to the Forums Pavilions.

Those attending the 2008 AirVenture will also be able to watch the air showcase of homebuilt aircraft, which will feature a review of 15 to 20 different aircraft. The annual Homebuilders Dinner will take place on July 31 at 18:00 at the EAA Nature Center. Besides enjoying the association of other homebuilding enthusiasts, builders at the fair will be interested to see who walks away with the prizes – especially the prestigious gold “Lindy” Award. If you also want to see who wins the Lindy Award, make sure that you don’t miss out AirVenture 2008!

The EAA Air Venture Oshkosh 2007

Editor — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:14:27 +0000

Every aviation enthusiast knows that there is simply nothing more exciting on their annual calendar than the EAA Air Venture Oshkosh event. This year’s event proves to be no less interesting and promises to have the best of aviation history, technology, innovation and current trends as well as a look into the future of flying.

This year’s Oshkosh festival is set to take place from the 23rd to the 29th of July. It takes place at Oshkosh in Wisconsin in the United States each year at the same venue. Even if a new venue was needed, it would be difficult to find one since the average Oshkosh festival can feature rows that cover as many as 5.2 miles. As many as 2 500 different show aircraft may be featured in a single year’s event and there is a good reason that the festival doesn’t only last a day – the fact that you simply wouldn’t be able to see it all in so short a time!

Of course, the stars of the show are always the latest and greatest military jet airplanes. This year the F-22 Raptor is set to steal the show with high speed maneuvers which are so fast that the wings may end up with a small cloud of condensation around them. However, not everything at the show is about speed and maneuverability. You will find plenty of antiques, war birds, ultra light aircraft, homebuilt airplanes and even rotorcraft at the air show.

What’s more, the air show is a very hands-on affair and while you may not be able to get up close and personal with all the aircraft, you certainly will get to learn a whole lot about flying and aircraft in general. EAA members are allowed to inspect the craftsmanship and design of many of the aircraft at the show for themselves while children are given demonstrations and presentations which all relate to aviation and aircraft. They can fly simulators, build little airplanes, ride in a hot air balloon and discover the world of aviation!

So as the various events and line-ups continue to be announced, you’d better make sure that you’ve secured your lodging arrangements. This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better and you can be sure you’ll be blown away – especially if you’ve never been to an Oshkosh festival before. Start booking now!