CESSNA TO BUILD SKYCATCHER S-LSA IN CHINA
Cessna's entry into the light-sport aircraft (LSA) market, the Model 162 SkyCatcher, will be built in China, the company announced today (Wednesday) in Beijing. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I), will manufacture the aircraft from Cessna blueprints. Cessna will ensure compliance with the ASTM International standards for special light-sport aircraft, as well as provide on-site personnel to oversee manufacturing, quality assurance, and technical design.  Read more

COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT ASSETS ACQUIRED BY CESSNA
Assets of the Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Company were acquired this week by Cessna, which entered the high bid of $26.4 million in an auction held through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon. The Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer produced the high-performance, single-engine Columbia 350 and 400 models. Those will become the Cessna 350 and Cessna 400, adding low-wing, high-performance and turbocharged piston aircraft options to the top end of the Cessna piston product line.  Read more

PEGGY FOSSETT ASKS COURT TO DECLARE HUSBAND DECEASED
Peggy V. Fossett, wife of world record-setting pilot and adventurist Steve Fossett, has petitioned the Cook County Circuit Court to declare him legally deceased after exhaustive searches of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains proved unsuccessful following his disappearance in early September. Fossett, a longtime EAA member who set several unique aviation records over the past 15 years, vanished Labor Day (September 3) while on a pleasure flight in a Super Decathlon. His flight departed that morning from Baron Hilton's Flying M Ranch in Nevada.  Read more

SONEX INTRODUCES OPTIONAL PRE-ASSEMBLED SPARS
Sonex Aircraft, LLC has announced the introduction of pre-assembled main wing spars for Sonex and Waiex airframes. While retaining full compliance with the FAA's Experimental Amateur-built "Major Portion" regulations, these pre-manufactured optional kit components can be expected to reduce Sonex Aircraft build time by a significant amount. "This new optional major assembly will make Sonex and Waiex Complete Airframe Kits even faster and easier to build, further reducing build time on two of the quickest-build airframe kits in their class," remarked Sonex Aircraft, LLC General Manager and CEO Jeremy Monnett. Existing Sonex Aircraft builders may send their spar caps and webs back to Sonex Aircraft, LLC for assembly. Full details and pricing can be found at www.SonexAircraft.com.

EAGLE AVIATION RECEIVES FAA APPROVAL
Eagle Aviation received FAA approval for its EA-100, a metal frame special light-sport aircraft. Upon gaining certification, the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH)-based business announced it is accepting orders, with a price tag of $76,995. The aircraft cruises at 120 mph, according to a press release. Eagle Aircraft Company, a division of Eagle Aviation, LLC, produces the EA-100. For more information, visit www.eaglesportplanes.com, or call 920-968-7527.

FLIGHT DESIGN USES WIND TUNNEL ANALYSIS
Flight Design has put its CT development model through a wind tunnel evaluation, to better incorporate changes aimed at fulfilling customer requests. The wind tunnel allows study of aerodynamic efficiency to preserve more performance while enhancing longitudinal stability, yet adding little additional weight to the airframe. Flight Design is not aware of any other light-sport aircraft that has been tested this way.

The firm also announced that in the last year, 23 technicians, distributors, and dealers graduated from its engine and airframe weeklong training classes, held at Aero Technical Institute in Sebring, Florida. Graduates received training on the Rotax 912 engine and the CTsw airframe. To learn more about the CT, visit www.FlightDesignUSA.com.

LOCKWOOD PRESENTS ROTAX 912 INTRO
Rotax aircraft engine expert Phillip Lockwood will present a free seminar on maintenance and operation of Rotax 9-series engines. The free seminar will benefit Airframe and Powerplant mechanics and owners of Rotax powered aircraft. The presentation will be held on January 5th, 2008 as part of the FAA Production Studios' January Sport Aviation Seminar. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will take place at the Sun 'n Fun FAA Safety Center at Lakeland Linder Airport (LAL). The Rotax presentation is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. For more information on attending the free seminar, contact Terry Kurtz at 863-602-1032 or visit www.faaproductionstudios.com.

AERONAUTICS COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS
A new aeronautics competition encourages high school and college students to share their ideas of future aircraft with NASA for a chance to receive trophies, student internship offers, and cash prizes. The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate announced the competition, for the 2007-2008 school year. For more information, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions.htm.

MGL AVIONICS TO SHIP IN DECEMBER
MGL Avionics says the first 35 Odyssey EFIS packages are shipping in North America in the first week of December 2007. The first shipment is completely sold out and subsequent shipments will occur monthly in January 2008. The Odyssey is a flight, engine, and navigation instrument designed for experimental and light sport aircraft. Learn more at www.mglavionics.com.

ASTM LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT STANDARDS AVAILABLE
A 210-page soft cover book covers 27ASTM standards and related federal documents on the design, quality, manufacture, and use of light-sport aircraft. The book provides a complete set of industry standards addressing the recreational use of aircraft. To order, call ASTM Customer Service at 610-832-9585 and reference AIRCRA06.BE, or visit the ASTM website.

AIRCRAFT SPRUCE OFFERS VIBRALITE 8 WRISTWATCH
The Vibralite 8 Wristwatch, available through Aircraft Spruce, is loaded with features, including a countdown timer with auto repeat, illumination, three time-zone functions, a stopwatch, and alarm clock. The VibraLITE 8 Model VL8SL-BK has a stainless steel back, is water resistant, comes with a one year warranty, and costs $129.95. The watch can be ordered online at www.AircraftSpruce.com or by calling 866-477-7823.