Briefing: January 2014

Another light-sport amphibian has entered the field, this one from Vickers, a New Zealand company. The Wave, an Icon look-alike with a Lycoming IO-360 engine, will sell for under $180,000, the company said, and will be available for sale at EAA AirVenture in 2014. Kit manufacturer Vans Aircraft has a second batch of ready-to-fly RV-12s in production by partner Synergy Air, in Eugene, Ore. The first batch of 12 was announced a year ago and sold out the first day. The LSA version sells for $123,000, fully equipped, or $115,000 for the base model.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Several new aircraft are entering the market or under development, including the Vickers Wave light-sport amphibian, a second batch of ready-to-fly Van's RV-12s, and Zee Aero's mysterious VTOL "flying car."
The Reno Air Races face severe financial difficulties, requiring $500,000 by mid-December to cover expenses like "oppressive" insurance premiums, following three consecutive years of losses since a fatal 2011 crash.
A controversial new FAA policy mandates sleep apnea screening for pilots with a BMI over 40, potentially leading to grounding, prompting strong opposition from EAA and AOPA who criticize the policy as arbitrary and lacking evidence for GA accidents.

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Another light-sport amphibian has entered the field, this one from Vickers, a New Zealand company. The Wave, an Icon look-alike with a Lycoming IO-360 engine, will sell for under $180,000, the company said, and will be available for sale at EAA AirVenture in 2014. Kit manufacturer Van’s Aircraft has a second batch of ready-to-fly RV-12s in production by partner Synergy Air, in Eugene, Ore. The first batch of 12 was announced a year ago and sold out the first day. The LSA version sells for $123,000, fully equipped, or $115,000 for the base model.

Organizers of the Reno Air Races, a popular and unique event since 1964, have run into financial difficulties. In an open letter posted online in November, Reno Air Racing Association President Mike Houghton said the group needed to raise a half-million dollars by December 15 to meet expenses, including “oppressive” insurance premiums. RARA already has made “agonizing” cuts in staff, Houghton said. The races have lost money for the last three years, since the crash of Jimmy Leeward’s P-51D, which killed 11 and injured 69 in September 2011. Houghton said the board of directors and the bylaws are being restructured.