AirVenture 2000

Most popular aircraft this year at the world's largest airshow were the powered parachutes, but I thought you would more enjoy this commercial, as it is a little more aerodynamic. Were any of the rest of you there? Some years ago Mike Henderson had a dream - a self launch sail plane easily disassembled, trailered, and stored without hangar fees or tow. Bill Hamilton and Bob Lampson shared that dream, and the Flight Research Institute was born in Seattle. The Boeing Co and AIAA supported us with small annual grants and free consulting so that many of us with bold dreams could work toward our dreams with help from other engineers and builders who had gone before.

This year at Oshkosh we met a team from Italy, a team building Silent-In, the first light sailplane in the world having a glide ratio greater than 31. The 28 hp single cylinder 2 stroke engine features electronic fuel injection, electric start, and electric fold. It drives an innovative single blade propeller thru a belt drive and sips only 1.3 gal/hr from the 5 gal tank.

With a take-off distance of only 500 ft, (600 on grass), Silent-In can operate from nearly any airstrip. Her 500 fpm rate of climb and 53 mph cruise speed make her much safer and more useful than most ultralights, which are limited to flying when there is little or no wind. Her innovative flap system extends her speed range between 30 and 80 mph with glide ratio above 20.

Silent Alisport LLC is operating in the US out of Baltimore, MD. Call (410) 522-4298 or visit www.alisport.com if you have $28k for a great personal flying machine or if you would like to help with West Coast distribution. Giovanni Capra needs help with this exciting new product.

Submitted by Billy Roeseler

Lancair

International "With over 1600 Lancairs in 42 countries on five continents, several world records and state-of-the-art advanced composite structures, Lancair has grown to become the leader within this industry." Lancair International Inc.
2244 Airport Way
Redmond, OR, 97756


You don't suppose this will be the second Redmond company to overtake Boeing in the eyes of Wall Street.

Legacy 2000 $39,900
ES/SuperES $53,800
IV $75,900
IV-P $99,900


If I sold 1600 kits at an average price of $60k/kit, I would gross nearly $100M, not bad for a little guy not yet 16 years old.

Submitted by Billy Roeseler

Performance of Light Aircraft

Performance of Light Aircraft is a new book in AIAA's Education Series and is now available to the public. Written by our PNW AIAA member from Billings, Montana, Dr. John Lowry, the book treats all aspects of quasi-steady performance of propeller-driven aircraft, including the fundamentals of aeronautic science, such as the atmosphere and aerodynamic force. For more specific information on his book and how to order it, check out the Education Series section of the National AIAA web page at www.aiaa.org or e-mail Dr. Lowry at jlowry@mcn.ne