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| Why Did He Do It? (Because It Was There) | back to top |  |
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Pipistrel LSA Flies Above Mt. Everest
In the midst of his flight around the world, Slovene pilot Matevz Lenarcic took his Pipistrel Virus to 29,344 feet above the Himalayas -- not directly overflying the summit of Mt. Everest, but reaching an altitude about 300 feet above that highest peak. "There were a lot of trouble getting the permits to fly over the Everest (the Nepali permit got cancelled right before the flight)," according to Pipistrel's news release, "but Matevz did it anyway, so the news were only released a day later to prevent him from having any trouble with Nepal authorities." Matevz is now "already safely in India," the company said.
The Virus SW 914 Turbo was modified with an Intercooler unit for the flight. Matevz's track took him to the east of the Everest peak, on the Nepali side of the mountain. On his way to the mountain, Matevz reported on his blog that "visibility was again very poor, mountains were hiding in the clouds, heavy traffic in the air and bad communication was present." Finding a weather window for the Everest flight was challenging. "If it is clear they are high winds and severe turbulence which can easily destroy aircraft, in more calm days the clouds with snow could come over the Himalaya." After the flight, he wrote that "the weather was very beautiful, relatively good temperature, only minus-27-Celsius, north westerly wind of 40 knots and from time to time turbulence. The Pipistrel Virus was performing perfectly, also MH oxygen mask." Pipistrel said the flight was a first for a Slovenia-built aircraft. |
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| Reimagining Flight Training | back to top | |
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Redbird's Flight Lab: Good Initial Results
Shortly after accepting the keys to a new Piper Seminole, Jerry Gregoire of Redbird Flight Simulations told AVweb that its initial results in training students with an intensively simulator based program have proven positive. Redbird has been operating the program for a little over two months and graduated about 20 students. Gregoire says Redbird offers the program for a flat feet of $9,500 to the Private Pilot certificate, which he says is far less than the national average, according to Redbird's analysis of AOPA flight training cost averages. The Redbird program is not hours-based but involves training to proficiency in specific skill areas. It can also involve the student flying the simulator solo to practice maneuvers that he or she may be having trouble with. The student can also self-evaluate before moving on to the next task.
Redbird says it's collecting biometric data from its simulators to understand how people learn flying skills in order to improve the simulator-based program. The new Seminole, Gregoire said, will be used as a flying laboratory to collect more deta to refine the program. To hear the full podcast with Gregoire, click here. |
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Podcast: GA Sim Training WorksFile Size 7.5 MB / Running Time 8:11
Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS
With 20 students through the course, Redbird Flight Simulations' Jerry Gregoire says the results from its flat-rate, simulator-based PPL course are positive. He spoke with AVweb's Paul Bertorelli.
This podcast is brought to you by Control Vision's
Anywhere Map
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| Deltahawk Dawn | back to top | |
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Deltahawk Update: About to Fly in a Cirrus
Deltahawk, the Wisconsin engine development company, continues to close in on its long awaited goal of a workable four-cylinder aerodiesel engine, According to the company's CEO, Dennis Webb, whom AVweb interviewed at Sun 'n Fun, several companies (and the military) have test engines and programs in various states of progress, including a Cirrus SR20 test bed at LoPresti Speed Merchants.
Webb said Deltahawk is now concentrating on lining up production suppliers rather than R&D suppliers and its conducting FAA endurance testing. Although its first engines won't be certified but will enter the experimental market, Webb said Deltahawk intends to make them certification compliant. As for certification itself, Webb expects that sometime in 2012. |
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Podcast: Deltahawk Diesel ProgressingFile Size 6.4 MB / Running Time 7:00
Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS
Deltahawk is moving from the research and development phase to testing and production for its four-cylinder diesel. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli spoke with Deltahawk's Dennis Webb.
This podcast is brought to you by FAST (Flight and
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| A Warbird of Your Own | back to top | |
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Video: The DIY Spitfire
Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos Ever wanted to fly your own Spitfire? Of course you have — and now, thanks to Supermarine Aircraft, you may actually be able to afford it. Mike O'Sullivan explains the program that will let you build your own 9:10 scale Spitfire for a fraction of the cost of a full-size warbird.
This video is brought to you by Control Vision's
Anywhere Map |
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| Flying in Style — And Sometimes in a Dress | back to top | |
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Video: Movie Pilot Corkey Fornof and 'the Ferrari of Airplanes'
Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos If you've never seen Corkey Fornof fly — well, you probably have, whether you realized it or not. He's worked as a stunt pilot in more productions than we (and maybe even he) can keep track of. AVweb's Glenn Pew caught up with Fornof during a rare moment of downtime at Sun 'n Fun and asked for the scoop on the drool-worthy Fury he flies for Lopresti Speed Merchants.
This video is brought to you by FAST (Flight and
Aircraft Services Tracking) |
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| Opinion & Commentary | back to top | |
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AVweb Insider Blog: Sun 'n Fun -- Notes from the Show
Over on the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli checks in from Sun 'n Fun -- with a bevy of thoughts and name-checks on subjects ranging from the Redbird sim training program to what consitutes great customer service at FBOs to promising new engines and what Phil Boyer got up to at the show. Plus a few thoughts on getting around the show -- and missing some of the things you most want to see.
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| The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! | back to top | |
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AVweb's Newstips Address ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 255,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. |
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| Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebFlash Team
AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the world's premier independent aviation news resource.
The AVwebFlash team is:
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? Your advertising can reach over 225,000 loyal AVwebFlash, AVwebBiz, and AVweb home page readers every week. Over 80% of our readers are active pilots and aircraft owners. That's why our advertisers grow with us, year after year. For ad rates and scheduling, click here or contact Tom Bliss, via e-mail or via telephone [(480) 525-7481].
Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.)
Comments or questions about the news should be sent here.
If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your phone or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here.
Aviate. Navigate. Communicate. |
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