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OshkoshJim LaMalfaFlight Designs “CTLS”Cirrus SF50 Personal JetLockwood 912 Air CamJim LaMalfawing’s leading edge.Cirrus Aircraft, Duluth, Minnesota,was displaying their full line ofcomposite aircraft, including theirSR22T-FIKI, with weeping wing.The wing streams alcohol over thesurface in icing conditions, just like theairliners. I chatted with Gary Black,who was standing by the mockup ofCirrus’s new “Vision” SF50 personaljet. After slipping in the pilot’s seatof the mockup, I asked Gary howthe certification of the SF50 wasprogressing.“We have 400 missions on the testship and expect certification in 2015,”said Black. “The SF50 holds sevenpassengers, or five adults plus baggage.We want a deposit of $100,000 to holdone for a customer. They will cost $1.6million when certified.”Is Cirrus doing well? They must be.They had a “Help Wanted” sign at thebooth!Aeronca aircraft have made acomeback in the last few decades. Thelatest aircraft features a 210 hp fuelinjectedengine – a far cry from the26 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINEold Aeronca Champ and Sedan. Nowcalled the American Champion AircraftCompany in Rochester, Wisconsin, thecompany had several attractive aircrafton display at AirVenture. A sleek blueand white “Denali Scout” with a 210hp fuel-injected engine was muchin evidence, as was a fire engine red,fully aerobatic “Decathlon” used byAerobatics Australia. The Aussies knowa good aircraft when they see it! TheDenali Scout sports a 36-foot wing,empty weight of 1400 pounds, and auseful load of 750 pounds. It takes offin 388 feet, and has a maximum rangeof 690 nautical miles at 75% power.If you take aerial photos – either stillor video – the Lockwood 912 Air Cambears a look. I talked to John Hurst,Sebring Aviation, about this interestinghomebuilt kit. Used originally bythe National Geographic Society forexploring rain forests in the Congo, itis a tail-wheel type aircraft, but can beequipped with floats.The Air Cam evolved from anultralight called the “Drifter,” Johntold me. “This aircraft has two engines,Cessna Multi-Engine Service Center • Flight Training & Aircraft RentalExperience Glass Cockpit Technology - Cessna 172Fuel Sales - 100 LL & Jet A • Aircraft AppraisalsFor The BesT Deal on a hangar In se WIsconsIn – BIg or small, heaTeD or colDCall Dave at Gran-Aire Inc. - 414-461-3222Timmerman Airport, Milwaukeewww.flymilwaukee.comboth the 100 hp 912 Rotax fuelinjectedversion. The two engines givethe Air Cam the capability to fly onone engine or even take off with one ifnecessary. The two engines are close tothe aircraft’s centerline, so there is noappreciable asymmetric power problem.The kit includes everything needed tobuild the open seat aircraft, which has atakeoff roll of 200 feet and lands at 35mph with flaps. It is entirely made ofaluminum, ribs, spars and bulkheads.The pilot sits forward, but the rear seatposition would still give a photographerunlimited visibility.Lancair of Redman, Oregon,has been making kits for their highperformance,carbon fiber aircraft forquite some time, but the “Evolution”is their top of the line. I talked to repsNeal Longwill and Doug Walker infront of an Evolution.“We have sold 49 kits to date,”Neal told me, “and 29 are flying.” TheEvolution is powered by a Pratt &Whitney PT6A-135A 750 hp jet enginewith a four-bladed prop up front. Theaircraft is pressurized and has a ceilingof 28,000 feet. It costs $1.3 million andthe new owner gets to spend two weeksat the factory. The carbon fiber skin ispre-impregnated with resin.I admired the smaller two-place cousinto the Evolution, which was parkednext to its big brother.“That’s our Sport Class Lancair,”Neal added. “Our owners fly themfor fun, but can race them at theNational Championship Air Races inReno, Nevada in the 200 to 240 knotscategory.Looming over Phillips Plaza was the312th Airlift Squadron’s C5A Galaxy