News

Glasair brought a mockup of its new Merlin LSA to Sun ‘n Fun this week, along with the first Sportsman diesel. The diesel airplane features a 155-hp Centurion 2.0s engine, a Hartzel Bantam three-blade propeller and VFR glass panel avionics. “This is a major step for Glasair Aviation, and we believe the market will readily […]

If you like looking at airplanes–and who doesn’t?–Scheme Designers is offering at way to make that activity fun and profitable. At Sun ‘n Fun, the company–which provides aircraft paint scheme design services–is plastering a number of airplanes on the grounds with a special decal. Register for the scavenger hunt and find enough stickers and the […]

Premier Aircraft said this week at Sun ‘n Fun that’s it’s considering expanding its aircraft diesel conversion program to include the Piper Warrior II and III models under STCs originally developed by the former Thielert Aircraft Engines. Earlier this year, Premier announced a Cessna 172 Skyhawk conversion program, using the Continental Centurion 2.0 aerodiesel that’s […]

With some 500 912 iS engines in the field in the two years since its introduction, Rotax announced at Sun ‘n Fun that it has developed a new induction design for the engine that delivers more torque and slightly better fuel economy. The new airbox, which sits on top of the engine, is now manufactured […]

At Sun ‘n Fun 2014 in Lakeland, Fla., Garmin introduced the next-generation glass cockpit for LSA applications, the G3X Touch. The G3X Touch, which is available in up to a three-screen configuration, has high-resolution10.6-inch flight displays with split-screen functionality and a host of advanced interface options.The display bezel contains four dedicated buttons and two rotary […]

As Sun ‘n Fun launches its 2014 edition, John “Lites” Leenhouts, president, says he is expecting to attract big crowds and a lot of new visitors. “Pre-show ticket sales are up two-and-a-half times over a normal year,” he told AVweb on Monday, and the campgrounds are filling fast. Where are all these new visitors coming […]

After at least three journalists suffered injuries from rolling their eyes into unrecoverable gimbal lock, Sun n Fun has agreed to review press releases and announcements for specific words and phrases that are known to cause acute adverse reactions in people hearing them. Specifically, the phrase game changer and the word exciting will not be […]

In a gesture of international cooperation and solidarity, the U.S. Navy announced at Sun n Fun that its famed Blue Angels flight demo team will, on a trial basis, merge with the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds team for the remainder of the 2014 season. The new combined team will be called the Snow Angels […]

Showing off its new and developing TRACE training technology, Redbird Flight Simulations announced at Sun n Fun this week a simulator-based skill test called the Flying Challenge Cup. The challenge, which consists of three flying skills scenarios, will run through the summer and will culminate in a national, live flyoff on a stage at AirVenture […]

Flight Design, which has sold more LSAs than anyone, has been working for a few years to build the C4, its first four-place certified design, and this week at Sun ‘n Fun they released details about the avionics package they created in concert with Garmin. “This panel was fully customized for this airplane,” said CEO […]