Air Shows & Events

“As of early April, the FAA has registered 838 Light Sport Aircraft,” Dan Johnson, chairman of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, told AVweb at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., on Friday. “The manufacturers have been working hard to increase production to meet the demand. So where a year or so ago you […]

The VistaNav folks brought their new synthetic vision units to Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland,Fla., this week to introduce them to the flying world. The CIS-2000 and CIS-2200 systems provide faster graphic processing capabilities for smooth, lifelike, 3-D motion on the screen. The system is not certified, so it’s for information-only, not for navigation, but […]

At the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In this week in Lakeland, Fla., Embraer said its Phenom 100 very light jet and derivative Phenom 300 light jet are making “steady” progress. The Phenom 100 prototype’s wing mating went “exceptionally smooth” the company’s plant in So Jos dos Campos, Brazil. Both the wing and the fuselage – assembled […]

A grassroots effort to expose high school students to aviation has blossomed into an international effort that now has a $6 million fundraising goal. BuildAPlane started in California in 2003 with the donation of an airplane to a Burbank school’s small engine repair program. After the first year, at least five of the students, who […]

“We’ve done a trip around South America in 35 days, and a 24-day Europe trip, so flying around the world seemed like the next challenge, the next dream,” said Thierry Pouille, of Air Journey, on Thursday. His company announced the new trip this week at Sun ‘n Fun, and six of the nine slots are […]

Cirrus continues to have fun teasing customers and everyone else with parsimonious details on its new jet. Although there aren’t many configurations possible for a single-engine jet, Cirrus has managed to whip up a fair amount of interest in what the final product will look like. The 140-plus position holders have been receiving jigsaw puzzle […]

Englewood, Colo.-based Adam Aircraft admittedly has delivered only seven copies of its A500 inline piston twin since receiving type certification in May 2005. While it gained a production certificate in October, deliveries still have been slower than planned. To remedy the situation Adam aircraft has shifted its resources to production, but it also is engaged […]

photo by Virgil Peachey Texas Turbines says it can get more utility out of the world’s best-selling utility aircraft. Company President Bobby Bishop told AVweb at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In that the installation of a 900-shp Honeywell turbine to replace the 675-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 installed at the factory not only enhances […]

Here’s your chance to buy one of the very first Cessna Mustangs and help a great cause. Hal Shevers of Sporty’s Pilot Shop got position number 13 when Cessna began taking deposits on the much-anticipated entry in the entry-level jet market, and since he already has a Citation it was natural to assume that he […]

The Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., is where many pilots are this week, so AOPA is making the most of it to collect signatures on its anti-user fee petition. Giant boards posted at three sites on the field are staffed by volunteers handing out Sharpies to all comers, and they keep coming and […]