Kitplanes

The Federal Aviation Administration released an updated Advisory Circular (90-100A) in March that muddies the waters for pilots using IFR-approved GPS receivers in lieu of ADF and DME equipment for instrument approaches and en route fixes. In addition to being legal for non-precision approaches and, more recently with WAAS approval, precision approaches, modern IFR GPSes can be used to identify navigational fixes previously defined by NDBs and DME points. According to the…

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Discovery Kit Aircraft Mostly obscure since its debut at the 1991 EAA Convention in Oshkosh, the Discovery kit aircraft now has new life due to new company ownership. Aero Concepts of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has resurrected this unusually efficient, three-winged canard two-seat pusher, and is back on the convention circuit with the original prototype (now exhibited as a full scale mock-up). Aero Concepts has even retained the original test pilot, Earl Hibler, to assist in…

In addition to its Epic LT kit turboprop and the under-development certified version of the airplane called the Dynasty, Epic will launch two new programs this year, a single-engine turboprop kit called the Escape and a single-turbine called the Victory. Although Epic will be opening a research and development center in Canada, kit production will remain at the company's Bend, Oregon, facility, which is now undergoing the addition of 10,000 square feet. The escape, which…

On February 5, the Reno Air Racing Association approved new rules for the kit-based Sport class to be implemented this September. The changes open a new top class, to be called Super Sport, that should bring greater speeds to this popular division. According to RARA, the new class "...expands the opportunities at the front of the …

On February 14, 2007, Vans Aircraft, Inc. received a nice Valentines Day present when they learned that the FIVE THOUSANDTH RV aircraft had taken to the sky. RV-8 builder Steve Fromhals, of San Antonio, Texas, submitted the 5000th first flight report. Later the same day, another report was received, bringing the total to 5001. …

Direct-To Avionics ceased operations as of late December, 2006, leaving potentially dozens of kitbuilders without equipment or immediate support for Experimental versions of the Chelton EFIS. Chelton sold Experimental versions of its EFIS systems exclusively through Direct-To. Despite repeated requests for comments from Direct-To, we have no more direct confirmation than what is posted on the company's web site: On December 22, 2006, Direct To Avionics was forced to close down its operation. We regret…