News Archive

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'Red Tail Reborn' film honors Tuskegee Airmen
A legendary group of aviators finds the limelight in Red Tail Reborn, a documentary produced by Hemlock Films. Red Tail Reborn turns a lens to the Red Tail Project, a program to restore and demonstrate the North American P-51C flown by the cadre of African American pilots in World War II. With interviews with many living airmen and narrated by Michael Dorn, the movie documents the rebuilding of the airplane after it crashed during an airshow over Memorial Day 2004. The movie was previewing at AirVenture. In related news, the Red Tail Project suffered a similar tragedy during Friday's airshow at AirVenture when the primary technician on the project, Gerard Beck, was killed on landing in a P-51A. In the immediate aftermath, the program crew vows to press on — who better than the Tuskegee Airmen to give an example of perseverance in the face of adversity?

Piper Aircraft on the auction block?
Reports circulating at Oshkosh indicate that American Capital Strategies, present owner of Piper Aircraft, may be shopping the company to prospective buyers. Officially the company would say only, "Most companies are for sale at the right price." American Capital Strategies of Bethesda, Maryland, is a holding company that invests in companies in trouble and resells them after improving profits. It bought New Piper Aircraft in 2003 and typically holds companies only a few years. Piper's announcement of the PiperJet last year along with its alliance with Honda Aircraft to help sell and support the HondaJet as well as the substantial backorder for the PiperJet may make the company more attractive to suitors.

Columbia tries air-car concept
There are plenty of unusual sights at EAA AirVenture this week, but one that had pilots gawking right inside the main gate was what, at first blush, might be mistaken for some new take on the air-car concept. But no, it's just Columbia Aircraft showing off the strength of its wing by setting a 6,500-pound Lincoln Navigator sport-utility vehicle on the wing center section. Columbia set up the display to tout the strength of its carbon-fiber wing spars while pointing out that its airplanes are the only ones in its class certified to Utility category standards. In fact, the company tried to put three Navigators on the wing but had trouble figuring out how to get them to stack nicely. The wing will actually support some 25,000 pounds, according to Columbia.

BRS adds four new airframes to its chute list
Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS), manufacturer of airframe parachutes, has been growing steadily for the past several years, but President and CEO Larry Williams can't recall an airshow during which the company announced so many new applications for its products. BRS chutes are planned for the Cirrus SRS light sport aircraft, the Diamond DA50, the Epic Victory jet, and the Lancair Evolution. BRS continues to drive upward into the light jet market, with a recent successful drop test with a load of nearly 6,900 pounds.

Cessna to begin delivering new LSA next year

Cirrus to offer an LSA
Cirrus Design joined the light sport aircraft (LSA) fray with the announcement that it will be importing and "Cirrus-izing" a German microlight built in Poland. The airplane that will become the Cirrus SRS was designed by Peter Funk, founder of Fk Lightplanes. Known in Europe as the Fk 14 Polaris, the two-place canopied airplane is powered by a Rotax 912 engine. In order to bring the airplane into compliance with U.S. LSA rules, it must be slowed down to 120 knots from the current cruise of about 130 knots. As it exists today, the Fk 14 is a sporty handling airplane and it must be made more appropriate for the training market, according to Cirrus officials. Among the changes anticipated is converting it from finger-actuated brakes to toe brakes, making it similar in function to the Cirrus SR20 series of airplanes and most other U.S. castering nosewheel aircraft. Cirrus founders Dale and Alan Klapmeier stressed that the SRS would allow Cirrus to bring the fun and kids back to aviation, believing that the attractive and sporty SRS would be inviting, especially to youth. The airplane will be built in Poland and reassembled in the United States. First deliveries should occur in about a year, and the price will be about $100,000 — in line with similar LSAs from other U.S. manufacturers. The airplane already includes a BRS parachute, a signature item on the SR20 models. Alan Klapmeier said a glass cockpit will be standard but could not specify from which avionics manufacturer. Fuel capacity will be about 18 gallons with the ability to run on either automotive fuel or avgas. Useful load will be 400 pounds minimum. Unveiling of the LSA follows the unveiling of the Cirrus personal jet by only three weeks.

Mooney customers can design paint scheme online
Mooney Airplane Company's new Web site has an added feature that allows buyers for a new Acclaim, Ovation3, or Ovation2 GX to design their airplanes' exterior paint schemes and select carpet and upholstery for the interiors. Created in cooperation with Scheme Designers of Cresskill, New Jersey, the interactive program can be accessed by choosing the "Aircraft" drop-down in the menu bar at the top of the home page and then clicking on "Design Your Mooney."

Continental offers new engine for Cessna light sport
Continental Motors has developed a fully certified new model of its O-200 engine to power the Cessna SkyCatcher. Basically it is the O-200 on a weight reduction program and dubbed the O-200D. To shave pounds (the goal was to weigh less than 200 pounds), Continental used tapered fins on the cylinders and a lighter crankshaft, camshaft, and gears. The company also chose lighter engine accessories to include the alternator, oil sump, carburetor, and starter. The company is considering also supplying the exhaust system. In the future, the company may create a new engine to be certified under light sport rules (ASTM standards, as opposed to Part 23 standards). It would also be based on the O-200, but will offer electronic ignition and a FADEC system, and would be dubbed the IOF-200 (fuel injected, opposed cylinders, FADEC).

Eclipse tempts market with single-engine jet
Eclipse Aviation surprised AirVenture media when company founder Vern Raburn taxied up to the Eclipse tent during a press conference in the new Eclipse ECJ — the concept jet. The single-engine four-place jet features a dramatically swept V-tail with the engine sitting on top of the aft fuselage. Raburn said the concept airplane is just that; today's unveiling was not a product announcement or decision to move forward, but simply the company testing the market for its reaction to such an airplane. The ECJ has about 27 flight hours on it, including flight up to 25,000 feet and 250 knots. It was built in secret at the NASA Wallops Island facility in Virginia by a team of engineering companies selected by Eclipse. Design of the airplane was done by Eclipse staff. Raburn assured that only a very few Eclipse employees had spent any time on the project — an effort not to deplete resources necessary to finish development and manufacturing ramp-up of the Eclipse 500 twin jet. Market feedback will determine whether the ECJ — or something like it — becomes a reality. If it does, the production airplane would fly at about 345 knots and be certified to Flight Level 410. Range would be about 1,250 nautical miles with IFR reserves. The production airplane would be able to carry four passengers with full fuel. About 60 percent of the components in the concept demonstrator are from the 500 model, including the engine. The production airplane would likely have about 1,100 to 1,150 pounds of thrust, compared to the 900 lbst in each of the Model 500 engines. No price was set or timeline for making a production decision. Most of the systems in the new airplane would be similar or identical to the Model 500.

Company helps homebuilders realize their dreams
More than 1,000 kitplanes sold each year wind up being completed by someone other than the person who originally bought the kit, according to Mikael Via, of Two Weeks to Taxi LLC, a spin-off company from Glasair Aviation that has established a customer assembly center to assist kit builders with completion of their aircraft. Via identifies the disconnect with two common themes: a misunderstanding of the total cost and the total time involved. Many buyers only consider the primary components of the airplane, such as engine, prop, and avionics in the cost, while missing smaller but no less critical items such as exhaust systems, hoses, interior and exterior lighting, and wiring. To this end, Two Weeks to Taxi promises to help builders manage these costs by building at their facility. In addition to offering the Glasair Sportsman kit program, Two Weeks to Taxi has also announced programs for the Van's Aircraft RV-7 and RV-10, set to debut in February 2008.

Diamond Super Star makes U.S. debut
Diamond Aircraft unveiled its new DA50 Super Star, a $600,000 five-seat luxury turbocharged piston single with a wall-to-wall glass cockpit. Designed for family or air taxi use, the DA50 is also aimed at those stepping up from smaller piston singles. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 3,650 pounds and can fly at more than 200 knots. At 52 inches, the DA50's cabin width is the biggest in the piston single market, according to Diamond. The rear bench seat is designed to accommodate three passengers. The airplane, currently in flight testing at Diamond's Austrian facility, uses a 350-horsepower Continental TSIO-550 engine, all-composite construction, and features a three-screen Garmin G1000 avionics suite; circuit breakers are located in an overhead panel. Range with standard 74-gallon fuel tanks is projected at 900 nautical miles; optional long-range fuel tanks will be offered. Maximum cruise altitude is currently set at 25,000 feet. Other options include a TKS ice protection system, air conditioning, BRS emergency parachute, and terrain and traffic avoidance systems. The company has yet to decide whether to use a three- or four-blade propeller. European certification of the DA50 is expected in mid-2008, FAA certification is anticipated by 2009, and first U.S. deliveries will hopefully begin in 2009. A 170-hp turbodiesel engine is also being evaluated for use in the DA50 airframe, but for now the company is taking $15,000 deposits for the first delivery positions of the Continental-powered airplane. Diamond says to get your deposit in by July 31 enter to a lottery for the earliest delivery slots.

Two new pilots announced in the Able Flight program
Just a mere year since its inception, Able Flight has two certificated pilots in its program. Brad Jones of Georgia and Sean O'Donnell of Pennsylvania are the first pilots to earn certificates through the national scholarship program, which offers people with disabilities an opportunity to learn to fly. Instruction takes place in a modified Sky Arrow. At a ceremony at EAA AirVenture, Able Flight organizer Charles Stites presented certificates and helped both Jones and O'Donnell's mothers pin wings on their sons. Jones earned his certificate last month; he was disabled in a car accident one year ago. O'Donnell just passed his checkride four days ago here at Wittman Regional Airport (he soloed on Friday July 13). He was injured in a car accident 12 years ago. Able Flight awarded six scholarships this year.

Epic brings two new jets
Epic Aircraft CEO Rick Schrameck was all choked up as he introduced the first flying jets in the company's stable at a special presentation at Aeroshell Square. The single-engine Victory — "ready to fly on the Fourth of July," according to Schrameck — came to fruition just six and a half months from its paper inception; the twin-engine Elite jet made its first flight in June. Both have between 40 and 50 hours on them. Both will follow the same path to certification currently being pursued by Epic with the Dynasty turboprop — the airplane starts as an owner-built airframe and evolves into a certificated model. Williams International FJ-33-4 FADEC engines currently power the Victory and Elite; owner-built versions of the Victory are set to fly with Pratt & Whitney 615 turbofans later this year, while the Elite will continue through certification with the FJ-33s. The Victory is expected to cruise around 320 knots, while the Elite should exceed 400 kt.

Eclipse gets new radar, fixes teething problems
Eclipse 500 customers will be receiving a new Eclipse 500 weather radar system as standard equipment on their airplanes soon. The current Honeywell radar will be optional, according to Eclipse officials. The new Eclipse radar is being built by Japan Radio Company. Meanwhile, work on the Avio NG (next generation) panel upgrade is under way with certification planned for late October. The first production airplanes to receive the new system will be delivered in November. Avio NG is a replacement for the Avidyne system originally planned for the 500 but scrapped by Eclipse late last year after implementation problems. Eclipse founder Vern Raburn declared the Eclipse 500 "future-proof," saying that Avio NG allows many future safety enhancements and air traffic upgrades with only software or minimal hardware upgrades. The first airplane with the system installed was scheduled to arrive at AirVenture on July 26. Those airplanes already delivered with the partially implemented Avio system will be upgraded free of charge by Eclipse. Meanwhile, issues with Model 500 pitot-static system freezing up during certain conditions have been resolved. Most affected airplanes are already fixed, allowing the twin jets to once again be used in the flight levels. Fixes related to the windshield and cockpit side windows have also been certified; aircraft are being repaired at the factory or the Eclipse service center in Gainesville, Florida.

Embraer's Phenom 100 makes maiden flight
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer announced the maiden flight of its Phenom 100 very light jet (VLJ). It flew on July 26 and landed after spending 36 minutes in the air. The twin-engine jet was rolled out last month. First deliveries of the $3.4 million airplane are scheduled for mid-2008; three more production prototypes will be joining the certification program soon. The $7 million Phenom 300, a larger swept-wing VLJ, is in development for delivery about a year later. Embraer has 450 orders for its Phenom family of jets — about 60 percent of them for U.S. customers. Meanwhile, work on the much larger Lineage 1000 business jet continues, with first deliveries set for the second quarter in 2008. Embraer has two service centers under construction for its business jets — in Arizona and Connecticut. A third gets under way in Florida next month. Internationally, the company is planning one at LeBourget airport in Paris.

Piper tweaks PiperJet, promises new airplane
Piper Aircraft announced changes to its PiperJet single-engine jet design. The airplane has completed its wind tunnel testing in the speed envelope from stall (65 knots in the landing configuration) to 200 knots, and the results of this test program prompted three changes. The horizontal stabilizer will be swept 30 degrees, said Bob Kromer, Piper vice president of sales, and its area will increase by 6 square feet. This change will give the airplane more elevator power for aft CG operations and for rotation and takeoff pitch forces at forward CG loadings. Another change involves adding wing leading edge extensions at the wing roots; these extensions could be used to boost fuel capacity, Kromer said. Finally, to cut down on drag, the diameter of the engine nacelle inlets will be reduced by 2 inches. Kromer said the PiperJet will have a maximum cruise speed of 360 kt at 35,000 feet and cruise at 320 to 330 kt in the 25,000- to 30,000-foot altitude band, where NBAA IFR ranges are projected at 1,300 nautical miles. First deliveries of the PiperJet are set for late 2010. In other Piper news, the company will announce a new airplane at this year's AOPA Expo. "I won't say anything more, but this airplane will fill an open niche in our product line," Kromer said. The company is not focusing on the light sport aircraft market. "By this time next year, a new airplane will be on display at the Piper booth at Oshkosh," he said.

Honeywell gets back into the Bendix/King business
To show its renewed emphasis on the general aviation market, avionics giant Honeywell has begun energizing its Bendix/King brand, which dominated the industry for decades. But it's not just about branding. Bendix/King is also introducing new products for the retrofit market, including the new KSN 770, a GPS/nav/com glass screen multifunction display (MFD) navigator, and the KFD 840 primary flight display (PFD). The KSN 770 GPS will be shipped WAAS-LPV capable, has a super high resolution 5.7-inch (diagonal) LCD screen in a landscape format. A cursor control device (CCD) will simplify pilot inputs. The display will interface with various Bendix/King hazard sensors, including enhanced ground proximity warning systems and weather datalink; it will be capable of showing on-board weather radar. The price will be competitive with existing WAAS receivers, and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2008. The KFD 840 Primary Flight Display features an 8.4-inch high resolution LCD and is sized to fit existing piston cockpits. A solid-state ADAHRS (air data attitude and heading reference system) is integrated, eliminating dependence on vacuum-powered heading and attitude instruments. The 840 will interface with most existing autopilots. Checklist and weight and balance utilities are included. Options include a battery backup. Future developments call for an engine monitoring system. Deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2008. The installed price will be under $20,000.

Cessna president joins sport aircraft board
Jack Pelton, chairman, president, and CEO of Cessna Aircraft, has joined the board of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA), and the company has become one of the organization's members. The move comes days after Cessna entered the light sport aircraft industry with its purple Cessna 162 SkyCatcher, which is aimed at growing the pilot population. Also joining the LAMA board is Joe Konrad, president of the German Ultralight Association, giving LAMA international representation.

CubCrafters offers upgraded Sport Cub S2
CubCrafters introduced its second-generation Sport Cub S2. It includes a carbon-fiber parts option to make way for high-tech options. It carries 25 gallons of fuel and is equipped with AmSafe airbags. The base price of the light sport tailwheel aircraft is $119,500, including a radio. A performance package for $8,900 reduces weight by 25 pounds and includes 40 new carbon-fiber components, such as a cowling, spinner, interior panels, and wing tips. A deluxe VFR panel includes a Garmin GPSMap 496 for $10,500. CubCrafters is building six Sport Cubs a month.

National Aviation Hall of Fame honors restorations
The National Aviation Hall of Fame based in Dayton, Ohio, has opened a restored airplane competition at Oshkosh this year. It was previously seen only by visitors to the Reno National Championship Air Races. Based at the center of the AirVenture show, the National Hall of Fame has created space for five antique aircraft that are judged by professional aircraft restoration experts and the public. They include a 1927 Waco Model 10-T once flown by Charles Lindbergh and a 1939 Grumman Duck flown immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor on search missions. Missing from the competition was Glacier Girl, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning that underwent a double engine change after mechanical difficulties during an effort this year to complete the aircraft's flight to Europe. It failed to finish the trip during World War II and was rescued from beneath the ice of Greenland.

A Cub with an autopilot?
Yes. American Legend Aircraft now offers TruTrak's ADI Pilot II autopilot in its Legend Cub models as an option. TruTrak built the autopilot that got record-setter Steve Fossett around the world. The company was founded by Jim Younkin, the inventor of autopilots for small aircraft. The two-axis system is slaved to the GPS and also features altitude hold. It is connected to the elevators and ailerons. It uses solid-state gyros. Extreme bank angle and low airspeed are annunciated on the display.

PS Engineering debuts new audio panel for experimental market
The latest audio panel from PS Engineering takes the company's popular features and turns them on their, well, ears. Aimed at the light sport aircraft and homebuilt markets, PS Engineering claims the PMA9000EX will be the most integrated audio panel in existence. Given a clean sheet of paper and no TSO (technical standard order) constraints, the engineers came up with a sunlight-readable liquid-crystal display (LCD) to upgrade the interface, displaying data such as radio audio sources, stuck mic warnings, and MP3 titles. The audio panel features a front-mount input jack for ease of use with cellular phones or MP3 players — the jack is also a USB connection so owners can use memory sticks to download music directly to the PMA9000EX's on-board 512 MB memory card. A Bluetooth interface helps minimize clutter when used with capable phones. Like the PMA8000B, the new unit includes PS Engineering's IntelliVox system, which eliminates the need for a separate squelch knob. An internal recording system gives the pilot the ability to playback most recent transmissions. The unit is plug-and-play compatible with the Garmin GMA 340. Price is $2,395, plus installation.

GA airport security training now available online
Waukesha Community Technical College recently received a $750,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to develop and produce security training geared specifically to general aviation airports. Working with AOPA's Rob Hackman to ensure needs of pilots and aircraft owners were considered, WCTC has produced four courses available online in September to address the needs of law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical technicians, helping them to understand the special environments at three different "levels" of GA airports. The goal of the courses is to address security concerns without government mandates and without taking liberties away. Program Director Jim Kerr and instructor Gus Moulas emphasized their enthusiasm for protective services departments nationwide to take advantage of the online courses.

Jeppesen works with FAA on electronic charts AC
The FAA recently published Advisory Circular 91-78, "Use of EFBs in 14 CFR Part 91 Operations." The story behind this unwieldy title? Pilots now have clear instructions about the legality of electronic charts in the cockpit — and what backups, if any, are required. Jeppesen worked closely with the FAA in developing the AC — and a companion interpretation notice for flight standards district offices — which states that electronic flight bags can be used legally during all phases of flight under Part 91, as long as the guidelines in the AC are followed. Use of a backup means of aeronautical information is recommended (such as paper charts or an additional tablet PC) but not required. Jeppesen has also developed a Web site, to assist pilots in the transition from paper to electronic charts.

Jeppesen's E-Learning programs include popular avionics
Seeking to lower barriers to avionics training, Jeppesen announced its series of E-Learning training programs designed to teach pilots how to use several series of popular avionics. The programs use a multi-step method to train pilots on procedures: A demo mode uses a movie to illustrate the topic, with a scenario featured. Then, an interactive mode recreates the scenario, allowing users to follow along. Finally, a solo mode gives the user a chance to test themselves and review what has just been learned. Two courses on the Garmin GNS 430/530 launch immediately, while a third will debut in October on WAAS approaches. Other courses feature the Garmin G1000 and GPSMap 496, 396, 296, and 196; and the Lowrance 2000c and 500/1000 handheld GPS units. Courses are priced between $230 and $250 retail.

Andy's Airplanes debuts an aviation-themed children's series
Andy's Airplanes LLC and the Entity launched its animated series aimed at bringing aviation and learning to children ages 3 to 8. The series, which features Andy, an adventurous young pilot who flies every airplane under the sun to every destination on the map, comes in 30-minute segments. The first segment will be available by September 1; the show's Web site allows kids to interact with Andy and his friends and play games centered on aviation, geography, cultures, and more. Jon Pierre Francia, creator of the series and flight instructor, hopes to push aviation into more children's lives and give them a positive role model to emulate while they learn. The programs will be available first online, and then in DVD format at nationwide retailers and via the Web site.

Symphony Aircraft investor vows to make comeback
The largest investor in the bankrupt Symphony Aircraft, now in liquidation proceedings in Canada, has vowed that once the court releases assets to him, either he or an undisclosed buyer will return the aircraft to production. Lou Simons said he was the "angel investor" who stepped in to save it before the weakness of the U.S. dollar made the company unprofitable. He said the plant must move all or part of its operation to the United States from Three Rivers, Quebec, due to the poor foreign exchange rate. Simons, formerly in the steel industry and lately in the real estate business, said he will not be involved "...if the other party comes through." He promised improvements in the aircraft and deliveries in 2008, and added that the court may complete liquidation proceedings by October 1. He also cited a nine-month delay by the FAA in approving a glass cockpit as adversely affecting the company prior to liquidation.

Hartzell prop speeds up older Mooneys
Hartzell Propeller announced that it has received an STC to install a newly designed two-blade, 74-inch-diameter blended airfoil Top Prop performance conversion kit onto Mooney M20A-G and M20J models. Hartzell optimized the new blended airfoil design to deliver greater cruise performance at higher airspeeds. Flight tests with an M20F have confirmed an increase of 2 to 4 knots in normal cruise over the original Hartzell two-blade propeller while maintaining equivalent climb performance. The improvement in cruise was achieved at the expense of a slightly longer takeoff roll that has been observed at about 3 percent.

WSI adds new radar, icing, and lightning products
Next month, WSI's InFlight datalink weather will include several new features in its premium-level package of services. The NOWrad radar imagery, which is derived from the nation's network of ground-based Doppler radars, will now be posted in the composite reflectivity view. The composite view scans a much larger vertical volume of the atmosphere and shows moisture at higher altitudes. Formerly, WSI offered base reflectivity radar imagery, which showed only the lowest layers of the atmosphere. New lightning detection coverage will show both cloud-cloud and cloud-ground lightning returns. Finally, an icing nowcast feature will show areas of potential icing conditions.

WAAS now available via Avidyne Entegra
Columbia and Cirrus Avidyne Entegra users and Envision/Alliant aircraft owners can now enjoy the benefits of WAAS navigation thanks to Avidyne's release this week of Version 7.0 of its operating system. The upgrade includes the WAAS annunciation on the primary flight display and the vertical guidance necessary to support WAAS approaches. Those using Version 6.0 or still under warranty can get the upgrade for $2,395 for single PFD installations; dual systems cost $3, 895. Out-of-warranty customers must pay $3,895 for single or dual installations. In related news, Avidyne announced that it is moving the aftermarket Envision/Alliant program to the Cessna 441 Conquest II. Envision includes dual PFDs and a multifunction display along with a digital autopilot from S-Tec.

Avidyne, WSI get Sirius about datalink weather
Avidyne, WSI, and Sirius Satellite Radio are partnering to bring weather information to general aviation cockpits. Avidyne this week announced the MLB700 datalink receiver to receive signals from the Sirius constellation of satellites. The signals will carry weather info from WSI InFlight Weather; an option includes digital audio entertainment from Sirius. Avidyne is also building the AV-300 and AV-350 datalink receivers for WSI to sell under private label and to replace its older line of AV-100 and AV-200 receivers. The MLB700 sells for $5,495 for the data and audio version and $4,475 for the data-only version. Two subscriptions are available. The Essentials package costs $29.99; the Performance package costs $10 more per month.

New Avidyne lightning detection system due out later this year
More than three decades after patenting the Stormscope lightning detection system, inventor Paul Ryan can't let go. While the Stormscope technology is now owned by L-3 Communications, Ryan last year sold his company — Ryan International — to Avidyne, which this week announced the new TWX670 tactical weather detection system. Marketed as a "second-generation lightning-based weather detection system," the TWX670 uses a color contouring display system to show areas of lightning activity. Storm intensities are depicted similar to airborne weather radar, with various colors representing intensity. According to Avidyne, advanced signal processing minimizes radial spread, which is the clustering of strikes on a display from distant storms. Additional details about the sensor will be available later this year.

NASCAR driver to appear at Mooney booth
Mooney Airplane Company will host NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth for an autograph and photo session at its AirVenture exhibit on Wednesday morning, July 25, at 11 a.m. The popular racer and owner of a Mooney Acclaim will be signing autographs at the company's exhibit located in spaces 205-207 and 212-214 on Knapp Street near Aeroshell Square. Kenseth flies his distinctive red and black Acclaim to races from his home in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Comp Air puts jet on permanent hold, proceeds on Comp Air 12
Comp Air said it has placed its jet model "on permanent hold" because there are too many models flooding the market, but it is proceeding with the Comp Air 12, a $3 million, eight- to 10-passenger, 300 KTAS single-engine turboprop that is expected to be certified in 2010. It will have a 2,535-nautical-mile range, meaning it can go anywhere in the United States nonstop. The company is designing the conforming aircraft and is in the middle of flight testing for the prototype. The tail will be 150 percent larger than originally anticipated because of the "awesome power" of the Honeywell TPE331-14GR engine, a company official said. It has a 29,000-foot ceiling and will climb at 170 KIAS at 2,800 fpm. No production site has been chosen for the Comp Air 12.

Aspen Avionics offers Evolution Flight Display Aspen Avionics now offers a glass cockpit system for certified general aviation aircraft. The Evolution Flight Display is modular, expandable, and upgradeable. It includes three models of primary flight displays (PFD), starting at $5,995, and two models of multifunction displays (MFD), starting at $4,995. The Evolution system enables aircraft owners to upgrade their primary flight instrument "six pack" to glass cockpit technology all at once or in stages.