The BD–5J is the baby jet that was flown by stunt pilot Corkey Fornof in the movie Octopussy; the FLS Microjet shown here is an updated version of that early design. The BD–5J was a showstopper when it first debuted at EAA’s convention (now AirVenture) in 1970, but the production company went into bankruptcy. Ed “Skeeter” Karnes reengineered the design, and the FLS Microjet flew for the first time in 2011.

WHAT: FLS Microjet (updated BD-5J)
WHERE: North of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
PHOTOGRAPHER: Mike Fizer

SunState Aviation expands locations

School will train pilots for Polk State College program

The new Polk State College (Florida) aviation program began its first semester in January. Training students in the professional pilot program will be SunState Aviation, a large-volume school that has specialized in accelerated training. A representative for the school said there are plans to bring two airplanes to Winter Haven, Florida, for the program, which has an initial enrollment of seven students. The school plans to take a unique approach to the training and focus on human factors from the start.