Chuck Berthe
Chuck Berthe is a retired Naval Aviator, civilian Test Pilot, and Aeronautical Engineer with ATP, CIFI, Helo, A&P ratings, and two Repairman Certificates. He has logged 16,600 pilot hours, and is an Associate Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Bearhawk LSA
Its the wing that gives Bob Barrows latest design a faster cruise and slower stall speed than similar LSAs. By Chuck Berthe.
Flight Review: Revival of the Fittest
Part Husky, part Cub, the Bearhawk Patrol evokes 1940s-era shapes but with the benefit of today’s advanced manufacturing. By Chuck Berthe.
Flight Review: Four to Tango
Chuck Berthe puts Team Tango’s Foxtrot 4 through its paces, and finds it to be a capable aircraft with the potential to be even better as the design is refined.
Comp Air 9
Chuck Berthe flies the turbine-powered Comp Air CA9, an impressive work in progress. With a combination of a massive airframe and a Honeywell turbine, the CA9 is a heavy hauler that will really scoot.
Arion Lightning
Test pilot Chuck Berthe flew the Arion Lightning not once but twice, in two different factory demonstrators.
In Case You Missed It
Can You Calibrate Your Hand?
Every aircraft kit is designed with a number of nut and bolt fasteners that...
Light Stuff
The author reviews the Kappa KP-5 LSA, imported by Kappa Aircraft from the Czech Republic. This is a conventional, low-wing, trigear configuration airplane, with a staggered seating arrangement that allows more room for each occupant, while keeping the cockpit narrow. The KP-5 is powered by a 100-horsepower Rotax 912 ULS engine and a Woodcomp three-blade prop, and has a useful load of 583 pounds. Full-power airspeed is stated as 138 mph. Avionics equipment includes a Dynon EFIS and engine monitor, Garmin GPSMAP 496 and Garmin transponder.
Magic Configurations
Designers are continually trying to create new and better machines that will outperform and outsell what is currently available.