The leading indicator of the spirit and health of general aviation, the annual Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture gathering at Oshkosh, pointed to mixed messages at this year’s show. While there were a handful of new projects and steady progress on existing forward-looking programs, the industry also took time to reflect on structural issues—the less-than-stellar safety record, medical and regulatory reform—that are being solved in order to put general aviation on a more solid footing.
As usual, however, the undying optimism and innovation of the pilots and companies that make up the sector shone through. Exemplifying the energy was the EAA’s inaugural Founder’s Innovation Prize, a $25,000 award for the most innovative potential solution to the primary killer in general aviation, loss of control, a problem that is the focus of the EAA and government and industry teams. The five finalists competing in a “Shark Tank” format all proposed electronic aids. The top winner, EAA member Ihab Awad, devised a system called “Airball,” a visualization technique that combines angle of attack, slip/skid and airspeed into a single dynamic symbol.
“When we see people being innovative, that’s exciting to me,” says NTSB chairman Chris Hart of the 140 entries the EAA received for the top three prizes. “That’s what this air show is all about.”
EAA’s AirVenture show is a focal point for the health and welfare of the world’s general aviation industry. Credit: Maureen Spuhler

Beyond awards, other companies are putting serious money into solutions. LAM Aviation is in the process of certifying its Columbia Volant, a Lancair Columbia 300 modified with an electro-mechanical aileron and flap system designed to prevent loss-of-control problems. The technology is particularly useful for boosting low-speed safety margins for the growing number of high-performance aircraft.
Such safety innovations will likely be in high demand for new aircraft once the new FAAPart 23 certification rules are finalized. Based on the draft version of the rules, designers will have to make new aircraft “departure-resistant,” a performance-based requirement that the aircraft avoid a departure from controlled flight in roll or other axes, a nod to a spin- or stall/spin-resistant design.
Another positive regulatory change, from the pilot perspective, is the medical reform recently signed into law as part of the FAA’s reauthorization. “Members tell us, ‘Well, yes, thank you. It’s a step in the right direction,’” says EAA chief Jack Pelton.
GE’s Advanced Turboprop engine made its debut at the show as the engine for Cessna’s new Denali, a competitor for the Pilatus PC-12. Credit: Maureen Spuhler

Show news included Textron Aviation’s unveiling of the mockups of the cabin and engine of its new single-engine turboprop, the Cessna Denali, an aircraft that will represent the first direct competitor for the popular Pilatus PC-12. First flight is expected in 2018, with the flight-test program expected to take a year. The $4.8 million aircraft’s new GEadvanced FADEC-equipped 1,240-shp turboprop engines will give it 15-20% more fuel efficiency than the competition, which will mean lower operating costs. The engine is designed to provide an initial 4,000 hr. between overhauls and offer performance retention for outstanding hot and high capability. Design elements are 285-kt. maximum cruise speed, full fuel payload of 1,100 lb. and a range of 1,600 nm at high-speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers.
Cirrus Aircraft said FAA certification of its single-engine Vision Jet SF50, two of which it brought to the show, will occur in the third quarter this year. The company says it has taken orders and deposits for more than 600 of the low-wing personal jets and plans to build 120-125 jets a year. Tasks yet to be completed include function and reliability testing.
The massive Martin Mars water bomber wowed crowds and showed its prowess for aerial fire fighting. Credit: Maureen Spuhler

Cirrus Aircraft co-founder Alan Klapmeier’s new company, ONE Aviation, took the wraps off its $3.5 million “Project Canada,” a variant of its Eclipse 500/550 twinjet that features a maximum range improvement of more than 350 nm compared to the Eclipse 500 with all seats filled. The company is targeting the third quarter of 2017 for the prototype and the third quarter of 2018 for type certification. Project Canada will be powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F engines, rated at 1,170 lb. thrust for takeoff.
Piper Aircraft announced here that it has received FAA type certification on its newest aircraft, the $2.8 million Piper M600 single-engine turboprop, a higher-performing version of its Meridian. The aircraft features the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine and Garmin G3000 avionics. Three wide-screen, 12-in. displays are high-resolution and include two touch-screen controllers. Advanced safety features include underspeed protection, coupled go-around protection, hypoxia recognition, automatic level mode and a new digital-pressurization system.
The AirVenture daily air shows and night displays mix old and new across the performance spectrum. Credit: Maureen Spuhler

While advances in electric- or hybrid-powered aircraft have come more slowly than anticipated at past shows, progress is being made. Airbus announced that it has flown its E-Fan proof-of-concept electric aircraft with hybrid propulsion, adding an internal-combustion engine as a range extender. The aircraft made its U.S. debut here in the new E-Fan 1.2 configuration.
Distinguished by air intakes for the combustion, or “thermal” engine on the upper fuselage behind the pilot, the twin-ducted-fan E-Fan still takes off and lands on electric power to minimize noise. The piston engine is used to generate sufficient electricity to sustain level flight at maximum cruise speed while simultaneously recharging the aircraft’s lithium-ion batteries. The 600-kg (1,320-lb.) aircraft has an endurance on batteries only of 30 min. This is increased to 2 hr., 15 min. (plus recharging the batteries to 80%) using the range extender, a two-cylinder, two-stroke piston engine with electronic fuel injection providing 50 kW (68 hp) of power on aviation gasoline. 
 

Digital Extra

See photo galleries, videos and all our coverage from AirVenture atAviationWeek.com/Oshkosh