GA Aircraft R&D

Will Klapmeier and Kestrel Become the Next Cirrus?

Submitted by Jason on Wed, 08/25/2010 - 19:00

I don't think anyone can argue that Cirrus co-founder Alan Klapmeier is an aviation genius. He started an airplane making company from scratch that with only two main models has dominated the piston single market for years. That company is currently working on a very promising VLJ prospect with several hundred pre-orders. Though Klapmeier is no longer with Cirrus, they are still going strong. The Duluth News Tribune mentioned Monday that Cirrus sales are up 5% this year. That's a stark contrast to sales being down overall worldwide.

Klapmeier came up with a great product and had the vision and leadership to bring it to market. Now, he's set his sights on a new aircraft: the Kestrel. This 6-place composite turboprop is a great next step for an SR22 owner and boasts performance numbers that beat a major competitor, the Socata TBM-850, and threaten to leave most of the VLJ fleet in the dust. It looks like this aviation genius has another great product and is posed to turn Kestrel Aircraft Company into the next Cirrus.

ADS-B For Gliders? Dangerous Attitudes and Uninformed Media

Submitted by Jason on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 05:31

When I first heard about the FAA's new rule for ADS-B, I didn't even think to check and see if it made exceptions to allow certain aircraft to operate in controlled airspace without ADS-B. I assumed it would be that way because that's how the current rules regarding transponders work. (This affects gliders, hot air balloons, airplanes not originally equipped with electrical systems and some others.) It turns out that this exemption did carry over into 91.225(e) of the new ADS-B rule (page 140.)

While that makes plenty of sense to someone with an aviation background, it apparently doesn't compute with someone who has little (if any) understanding of the subject. I just realized that fact when I read an editorial in the Washington Examiner yesterday. I'm disturbed and offended that The Examiner would publish such an alarmist story by an author unfamiliar with the subject who didn't bother to do any in-depth research to improve his or her knowledge in the area. However, I'll let that be for a moment.

This article highlights some potential attitudes regarding ADS-B that could prove extremely hazardous to everyone in our country - pilots or not. I want to address these attitudes first.

Cirrus Vision Jet Prospects Remain Optimistic

Submitted by Ted on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 22:21

The Duluth News Tribune reports that orders for the Cirrus Vision Jet are increasing, even with the unsteady economy. Cirrus needs to keep the orders coming to finance the conforming prototypes they will build next year. AIN points out that 106 orders have been placed in the past six months, however, there were also somewhere around 50 cancellations making that number just a little less optimistic.

Centurion 2.0s Adds 20hp, Keeps Kerosene C-172 Option Open

Submitted by Jason on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 03:59

Do you remember when Thielert Aircraft Enginges GmbH declared insolvency and caused major headaches for owners of DA-42 Twin Stars, DA-40 TDI Stars and C-172TDs? It wasn't all bad; the problem led Diamond to produce their own series of Austro engines that offer more power and similar economy as Thielert's engines. However, Centurion Engines has been working to get the company out of insolvency and it appears they may be making progress.

According to the AOPA and Centurion, the EASA just approved an STC for the new Centurion 2.0s engine in C-172 aircraft. STCs for the Robin DR400 Ecoflyer and Diamond DA40 TDI are supposed to be on their way as well.

South Korea Next to Make a Bid for Piston Single Market

Submitted by Jason on Thu, 06/03/2010 - 03:42

All recessions aside, the piston single market has been doing pretty well for the last few years. Cirrus has come from nothing to lead the pack in just over a decade and other big names like Cessna, Piper, Mooney, Beechcraft and others are working to keep pace. Flightglobal.com notes that Korea Aerospace Industries has taken note of this and is developing their own piston single. Although it sounds like they're just getting started, the plane will be impressive if it can perform as promised.

ADEPT Airmotive Nearing First Flight of 320T Engine

Submitted by Jason on Thu, 05/20/2010 - 03:00

I wrote last December about a South African aircraft called the SA Ravin 500. It has some pretty impressive performance numbers, but they are hoping to pair their plane with a new motor that will let them completely revolutionize the 4-place piston market.

According to South Africa's TimesLive.co.za, that motor, ADEPT Airmotive's 320T, underwent taxi tests on an SA Ravin 500 Monday and they are planning on flying it very soon!

Eve Carries Enterprise for First Time

Submitted by Jason on Thu, 03/25/2010 - 19:43

I must be delirious from lack of sleep lately, because I missed a really exciting milestone in the development of commercial space flight. Virgin Galactic, Scaled Composites and the EAA are proudly announcing the first captive carry flight of space ship two, the VSS Enterprise, by her mothership, Eve.

See Spot Work

Submitted by Ted on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 21:21

The Spot Messenger has always intrigued me a little bit. It's basically a portable ELT allowing you to call for help with the push of a button rather than a crash... You can chose folks to view your progress on google maps, or even have them get updates via text message. Additionally if you just need help, like a mechanic and not a paramedic, there's a button to ask for that.

While this certainly isn't a replacement for an ELT in your aircraft, it could be a useful tool for you backcountry folks to keep in the ole safety vest. Check out the video below from Wired detailing their test of the service. It's $169 to buy and about $100 a year to keep the service active making it one of the cheaper additions to your lifesaving kit! If you've carried a Spot and had the chance to use it, we'd love to hear about it in the comments.

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