FANTASY AIR BACK ON TRACK
After some financial turbulence in November, Fantasy Air, the Czech Republic manufacturer of the Allegro Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) is back on solid ground, much to the relief of the folks at Fantasy Air USA. The U.S. company's president, Doug Hempstead, told AVweb at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla. that the Czech company got in over its head with a deal to buy Pisek Airfield and that drained cash from the core manufacturing company. Fortunately, the company was able to sell the airport quickly and get back to what it does best, building the Allegro. "I'm telling you, it was a great relief to us," Hempstead said. The manufacturer has adapted the Allegro to the U.S. market with its 2007 model. More...

ROADABLE AIRCRAFT TO FLY THIS YEAR
The MIT grads that embarked on the heretofore impossible dream of creating a practical roadable aircraft (they dislike the term "flying car") have found the funding they need to keep going on the project. Terrafugia, as they call it, will fly before the end of the year and they hope to be delivering the $148,000 vehicle in 2009. What's more, they were displaying the engineering mockup and folding wing demo at US Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring because the Terrafugia will be an LSA, powered by a single Rotax 912 engine. "We're very happy with the development so far," said Dick Gersh, the company's VP of business development. More...

FLIGHT DESIGN INTRODUCES CTLS
The best-selling LSA by far is the Flight Design CT, with more than 240 registered in the U.S., and like most aircraft it's evolving as the manufacturer gets feedback from owners. The new CTLS promises more predictable flight characteristics thanks to some airframe refinements. The empennage has been lengthened 14 inches, giving better stability, and new winglets have measurably improved aileron authority at low airspeeds, says U.S. distributor Tom Pegigny. New landing gear is more shock-absorbing to make landings less likely to repeat themselves and new creature comforts include a rear-deck storage area behind the seats and seats with inflatable lumbar supports. More...

CHAMP THE ONLY NEW CERTIFIED LSA
The light-sport aircraft category captured a couple of dozen standard- category aircraft by virtue of the performance and weight specs they'd been built with decades ago. And while they're an appealing option for some pilots, they long ago lost that new airplane smell. At the moment, the only aircraft in this class that's still under production is the Champ, and American Champion Aircraft Corp. is making the most of its unique niche. Within hours of parking a very well-equipped Champ in the display area of Sebring Airport for the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo on opening day, Orlando/Sanford Aircraft Sales, based at the airport of the same name, had sold it and was taking bites on a second Champ due to arrive the next day. "This is a real airplane," said company spokesman Larry Tague. More...

CIRRUS TAKING ORDERS FOR SRS
Cirrus kicked off the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., with an invitation for prospective buyers to put $5,000 deposits on the aircraft, which is polar opposite to Cessna's LSA offering, the SkyCatcher, in most ways. The SRS is a low-wing composite with a Rotax engine (that allows mogas use) and there was plenty of interest in the aircraft, according to Cirrus officials at the show. Cirrus is still working on the "Cirrusized" version of the German-built aircraft it's adapting for its LSA. Prospective buyers of the SRS are being offered an almost risk-free deal to be among the first to buy one. More...

CESSNA RAMPING UP SKYCATCHER
With all its manufacturing and assembly agreements in place, Cessna says it's ready to get down to the nuts and bolts of delivering its 162 Skycatcher to the more than 900 dealers, flight schools and individuals who have ordered them since its production was formally announced last July. At the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla., Cessna announced Friday that the first three aircraft, a prototype, first production and test article for standards testing, are under construction and first flight of the type-conforming aircraft is expected before the end of June. Deliveries are expected by late 2009. Although it's taken some flak for the decision to have the aircraft built in China (from American-made components) the company is standing by the decision and promising Cessna-level quality in all aspects of the program. The aircraft will be built in Shenyang, where many subassemblies of Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier aircraft are built, and Cessna Communications Director Bob Stangarone said the company has absolute confidence in the build quality that will result. "When you fly over the Shenyang facility it's like you're flying over Boeing," he said. Though the aircraft will be built in China, plenty of the work will be done in the U.S., according to Cessna press materials. More...

PATRIOT DEBUTS AT SPORT AVIATION EXPO
For those who want an all-aluminum LSA powered by a Continental engine that's built in the U.S., the Patriot from Aircraft Manufacturing and Development could be what they're looking for. "I think the timing is right for this aircraft," said Sales Manager John Degonia. The Patriot was designed in Colombia but has been adopted by AMD, which makes Zodiac and Alarus low-wing aircraft in the plant in Eastman, Ga. "It's basically a two-seat Cessna 172," said Degonia. More...

ADAM LAYS OFF 300
It seems the rumors rippling through the VLJ industry the past week were true and Adam Aircraft has shrunk operations by about 30 percent while it finds the money to finish certification of the A700 jet and gets ready to go into full production of the A500 piston twin. According to an Associated Press story, the company needs between $75 million and $150 million to achieve those goals. Adam closed its Ogden, Utah facility until at least this coming summer, laying off 50 and also consolidated its operations in Centennial, Colo. (180 jobs) and Pueblo, Colo. (80). Company President Duncan Koerbel said the adjustments are necessary to save money until the new money is found. "To provide for our future growth, we must be strategic in our focus by managing current cash expenditures to ensure adequate time to secure financing for the long term," he said. "We're off to a good start in this effort with assistance from our partner, Citibank, but we need to be able to provide them with sufficient time working with potential investors to secure long term financing." More...

U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2008: PHOTO GALLERY ONE
What airplanes, people, and sights did we see at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida this year? Find out in this gallery of photos, the first of three. More...

U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2008: PHOTO GALLERY TWO
The second of three galleries showcasing some of the sharpest airplanes and most interesting exhibits at this year's U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida. More...

U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2008: PHOTO GALLERY THREE
Join us for one final gallery of images from the 2008 U.S. Sport Aviaton Expo in Sebring, Florida. More...

BOEING 777 HEATHROW CRASH UPDATE
An initial report offered by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch Friday said interviews with crew and analysis of the "Flight Recorder" aboard the British Airways Boeing 777 200ER that crashed Thursday at Heathrow indicate the aircraft's engines did not respond to commands from the autothrottle or the flight crew. First Officer John Coward, the flying pilot, told reporters he glided the big airliner to the grass. "Suddenly there was nothing from any of the engines, and the plane started to glide. I didn't think we'd clear the fence at first. As we landed I was bracing myself for an enormous thud. But instead of one thud, there was a series of thuds as it bounced along the grass. Eventually it shuddered to a halt. While I was trying to stop the plane, I struggled to try and keep it in a straight line." More...

AIR CANADA FLIGHT UPSET UPDATE
The wake of a 747 that crossed its path is among the possible suspects in the upset event that injured eight passengers and two crew aboard an Air Canada Airbus A319 flying at 35,000 feet Thursday January 10. A fully loaded 747 can weigh more than five times as much as an Airbus A319. The A319 rolled violently and lost altitude in the incident, but a cause has not yet been determined and some have theorized that computerized flight control systems could have been causal in the disturbance if they reverted to a particular failsafe mode. A Seattle air traffic controller saw the potential conflict in flight paths, citing that conditions were ripe for the formation of mountain waves that could make dissipation of wake less predictable, and directed one of the aircraft to change altitude, according to the Globe and Mail. The aircraft were flying south of Cranbrook, B.C., which is known for generating mountain waves capable of lifting gliders to 25,000 feet. More...

ON THE FLY ...
Four reported dead in Corona, Calif. midair ...
Eclipse simulator approved ...
New version of Super Cub close to certification. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: F-15 BREAK-UP REPORT

Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos

On November 2, 2007, an F-15C with the 110th Fighter Squadron (of the 131st Fighter Wing) broke up while conducting an air-to-air training mission. This video, produced by Glenn Pew for AVweb, covers the military investigative board's findings.

Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly.

Related Content:
F-15s Grounded, Structural Failure Suspected

AVWEB'S MONDAY PODCAST: SKYDIVING — THE POPULARITY OF FALLING FROM THE SKY IS ON THE RISE
2007 was the safest year on record for the most popular of the adrenaline sports, skydiving! In this podcast, the U.S. Parachute Association's Executive Director, Ed Scott, tells AVweb's Mike Blakeney why the safety record (and membership rolls, for that matter) continue to spiral upward. More...

Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers

PROBABLE CAUSE #50: ASKING FOR TROUBLE
How many regulatory, operational and medical corners can we cut before something bad happens? More...

AVMAIL: JAN. 21, 2008
Reader mail this week about the Skycatcher, the Eclipse, the Tecnams and more. More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard? More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: DIXIE AVIATION (KCTY, CROSS CITY, FL)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dixie Aviation Services at KCTY in Cross City, Florida.

AVweb reader Alec Thigpen brought Dixie to our attention:

I stopped in twice last month on a trip to the Keys and got a very low price for full service ... . On the way back, I stopped in again for a topoff, and even though it was after the time cutoff for the Saturday 25¢ discount, they gave it to me anyway, without me asking ... and the manager couldn't have been more hospitable. It is a small FBO but very nice, and they have snacks, sandwiches, and ice cream.

Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.

AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!

SHORT FINAL

Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

En route from San Antonio, Texas to Kerb Wille, I let my 19-year-old private pilot daughter run the radios:

daughter:
"Center, Piper Five Six Six Seven Romeo."

Center:
"Piper Six Seven Romeo, go ahead."

daughter:
"Request flight following."

Center:
"Piper Six Seven Romeo, state vour location, altitude, and destination."

[long pause]

daughter:
"Uh, San Antonio."

[another pause]

Center:
"Piper Six Seven Romeo, when you figure out where you are and where you want to go, give us a call back."

James Crawford
via e-mail

AVWEBBIZ: AVWEB'S BUSINESS AVIATION NEWSLETTER
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MEET THE AVWEBFLASH TEAM

AVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.

The AVwebFlash team is:

Publisher
Timothy Cole

Editorial Director, Aviation Publications
Paul Bertorelli

Editor-in-Chief
Russ Niles

Managing Editor
Meredith Saini

Contributing Editors
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Glenn Pew

Features Editor
Kevin Lane-Cummings

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