Air Shows & Events

Daher-Socata brought its new TBM 900 single-engine turboprop, which debuted just a few weeks ago, to Sun ‘n Fun this week. The 900 is an upgrade of the 850, which it replaces, with winglets and a five-blade composite propeller, plus numerous tweaks to enhance the aerodynamic design, pilot interface and passenger comfort. “We’re happy with […]

As Sun n Fun drew to a close over the weekend, Id say that most of the people I spoke to deemed it about average. As Ive said before, its pointless to draw any conclusions about the aviation economy based on how vendors saw the booth traffic or what the daily gate was. Weve long […]

Touchscreen for LSA and experimental avionics is the new trend at Sun ‘n Fun 2014. Dynon Avionics brought its latest touchscreen system, the Skyview Touch. Dynon’s Michael Schofield showed the system to Kitplanes magazine at the show. view on YouTube

At Sun ‘n Fun 2014, Seattle Avionics introduced a new app that offers just charts, plates and sectionals – no ADS-B support and no weather-getting. Here’s AVweb’s quick take on the new app. view on YouTube

Built in 1937, the Flagship Detroit is the oldest flying airworthy DC-3 in the world. The airplane is operated by the Flagship Detroit Foundation, which brought the restored DC-3 to Sun ‘n Fun 2014 in Lakeland, Florida. Steve Jacobson, who captains the aircraft, gave AVweb a tour at the show. view on YouTube

Mooney is back, and although they didn’t have a booth at Sun ‘n Fun, the new executive staffarrived on Friday to meet with the faithful and the press to provide a snapshot of the new company and its plans. CEO Jerry Chen told the crowd of 100 or so in a tent behind the Florida […]

The panel in one of CubCrafters Carbon Cubs has caused more than a few double takes by visitors at Sun n Fun. Instead of a few dials, its glass-and not just any glass, Garmins new G3X Touch flight display system. Referred to as Executive GLASS touch, it replaces the companys previous high-end panel with an […]

Aircraft owners now can rent out their airplane when they’re not using it to help subsidize their costs, OpenAirplane co-founder Rod Rakic told AVweb at Sun ‘n Fun this week. “Collaborative Aircraft Rental” makes the process “simple and affordable,” Rakic said. The program includes a customized insurance policy that covers the aircraft owner, and uses […]

Epic Aircraft has hired 25 more workers in the last two months at its production plant in Bend, Ore., company spokesman Mike Schrader told AVweb this week at Sun ‘n Fun. He added that they plan to hire 50 more by the end of the year. “We’re also adding new equipment, and building the final […]

Representatives from the FAA met with industry advocates at Sun ‘n Fun on Wednesday to discuss a variety of issues that have arisen regarding light-sport aircraft since the category was created 10 years ago. “We had a very productive three-hour meeting, and the FAA was very responsive,” Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers […]