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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…

Front and center in Cessnas outside display at Sun N Fun was the rakish NGP (next-generation piston) four-seater and Light Sport proof-of-concept aircraft. Sporting a cheeky new cowl, the POC, now called the CSA, for Cessna Sport Aircraft, was shown with a Continental O-200 replacing the Rotax 912 the airplane originally flew with. According to project chief pilot Kirby Ortega, the CSA development is continuing apace, though he pointed out that the existing airframe is…

Aerox Aviation Systems unveiled a photoluminescent O2 gauge and flowmeter this week, sporting a fresh patent received the previous Friday. Made of the same kind of material used for exit strips on commercial airliners, the inflight glow will last up to 32 hours. We like the upgrade just for the preservation of your night vision-no more O2 level checks with the flashlight. The O2 gauge retails for around $32, and the flowmeters retail price is…

The Cole Clarifier from OneWink LLC is a magnifier disk that greatly improves a pilots ability to precisely read and set the altimeter under less than ideal flight conditions. Developed by a doctor who had trouble setting his own altimeter during ILS approaches to minimums, this device attaches to the instruments glass permanently over the Kollsman window. FAA approved for certified aircraft, cost is $150.00. …

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…

After the press conference today at Sun N Fun, Comp Air president Ron Lueck told journalists that a gentleman with a distinct Swiss accent had looked at the Comp Air 12 at the company's outdoor display and said, simply, You cant do that. It doesn't take much imagination to assume the man was thinking of the Pilatus PC-12 and the possible confusion with the massive composite from Merritt Island, Florida. Lueck chuckled at the…

Tuesday at Sun N Fun, Lycoming's Senior Vice President and General Manager, Ian Walsh, announced a continuation of the company's revitalization begun in 2004. Current projects for Experimentals include the Thunderbolt line, which is undergoing refinement and expansion of the options and a big push forward with the IO-580 powerplant. In addition, Walsh announced that Lycoming has received funding from parent company Textron ...

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…