Kitplanes

Viper Aircraft has added a new design to its lineup, the Viper FanJet, which offers greater range, higher fuel efficiency and expanded cargo capacity, according to Viper.Increasing the size of the aircraft by 17%, the designers created a spacious, climate-controlled cockpit able to accommodate pilots over 6-foot-5. The larger fuselage translates to 25 cubic feet of cargo space with accessibility from exterior luggage doors and behind the aft seat. Using the Pratt & Whitney JT-15-4D…

The Bosch 18-volt cordless jigsaw has been added to Aircraft Spruces line of Bosch power tools. The 6-pound jigsaw has a One-Touch system that allows for easy blade change and ejection of hot or broken blades with one lever. The Bosch also features blade retention and a three-way grip that maintains the blade position and allows for precise cuts. An adjustable dust blower keeps the cutting line clear.…

Weather Statement Groundschool is now offering a course on METARS (Aviation Routine Weather Reports) and TAFs (Terminal Area Forecasts) that you can complete on your home computer. METARS include temperature, dew point, wind speed, direction, precipitation, cloud cover, visibility, lightning and barometric pressure. TAFs are used in conjunction with METARS and use similar terminology.…

We have received a note from Superior Air Parts saying, in effect, pay no attention to the troubles with Thielert Aircraft Engines, which has filed for insolvency in the aftermath of falling share prices. Company founder Frank Thielert and the firm's CEO were ousted earlier this month amid allegations of illegal accounting practices. Speculation was that Superior, a sister company of Thielert Engines, would be affected.…

Rick Lindstrom revisits Canadas Dream Tundra, this time when its on floats. Dream Aircraft Founder Yvan Desmarais spent 10 years developing the prototype for this design, with the intention of building and kitting a better bushplane. Lindstrom says hes achieved that goal and then some.

Builders share their successes.

Two RANS kits return to production, Aircraft Spruce offers the Castleberry electric attitude indicator, and two Six Chuter SLSAs are certified.

Well, another Sun 'n Fun airshow has gone by. As the traditional start of the season, this one was, at times, fraught and promising, often nail biting and reaffirming. It started, as you've certainly heard a thousand times, wet and muddy. By good luck, I elected to travel from the West Coast on Monday, missing the worst of the weather. The aftermath was there, however, in the form of soggy fields that would stiffen to…

Thanks to the efforts of Glenn Pew and our sister publication AVweb, we have a nice video interview with Dick VanGrunsven on the RV-12's debut at Sun 'n Fun. Check it out here, and pay no attention to the editor smacking his gum. (Sheesh.) …