GA Aircraft R&D

Cirrus Now Owned by Chinese Investors - So What?

Submitted by Jason on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:00

As mentioned in a Cirrus Press Release and on AVweb, a Chinese company called China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA) purchased Cirrus Industries Inc. at the end of February. There have been some mixed feelings about this deal, and we're still waiting to see if it's going to cause any major changes in the company.

Turbine STOL CH 701

Submitted by Jason on Sun, 01/16/2011 - 11:42

If you're anything like me, this project is probably a little beyond the abilities of the average AviationBull fan. However, it's such a fun idea that I can't resist posting it. This is a video of Scott Ehni's CH 701 equipped with a Garrett JFS 100-13A Turboshaft engine.

Wind Tunnel Time for Stratos

Submitted by Jason on Fri, 01/07/2011 - 23:10

They haven't posted the press release on their website yet, but Stratos Aircraft just announced that they are another step closer to giving customers this much legroom in an aircraft that will hopefully be able to take 4 people 1500 miles at 400 knots.

They've raised enough funds to build a 1/8 scale model of their aircraft for wind tunnel testing to verify the computational fluid dynamics analysis that they've already done on their design.

Chinese Company Buys Continental Motors - Time for a Diesel Now?

Submitted by Jason on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 02:32

AvWeb recently mentioned a deal that Teledyne struck with AVIC International, a Chinese company, to sell Continental Motors to AVIC subsidiary Technify Motors. (See TCM's press release here.)

This is a pretty big deal for several reasons. First, it's more aviation business going to companies based overseas. Thankfully, AVIC seems to have made a strong commitment to keeping Continental at their current location in Mobile, AL. Second, this move will hopefully provide Continental the capital it needs to develop a series of diesel aircraft engines.

First Flight of Fully-Conforming HondaJet

Submitted by Jason on Fri, 12/24/2010 - 00:47

We've all been drooling over the HondaJet for some time. Honda did a great job of capturing our attention by surprising us with a polished-looking, fully functional aircraft that included some interesting new design features.

Although the prototype HondaJet looked great from a distance, I'm told it wasn't perfect up close. It definitely didn't conform to FAA standards for production Very Light Jets. Having gained a lot of knowledge from their prototype, Honda built a fully-conforming version and proudly announced its first flight this Monday.

John Monnett Flies Electric Waiex

Submitted by Jason on Mon, 12/06/2010 - 07:19

VSS Enterprise Makes First Glide

Submitted by Jason on Wed, 10/13/2010 - 12:25

Chris Christiansen: Homebuilt Hero

Submitted by Jason on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 17:19

I'd love to build my own airplane. The performance, efficiency and fun available with experimental aircraft seems to double or triple what's available in the certified aircraft market at equivalent prices. The avionics (like Dynon's new Skyview system) do practically everything the most expensive stuff from Garmin or Avidyne at a fraction of the price. What's holding me back? Time and expertise. At least, that's what I've always told myself..."I'm just too busy to build the aircraft of my dreams and enjoy amazing flying..."

For better or for worse, Chris Christiansen just blew that argument out of the water.

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