Air Associates Skycatcher Is Great Performing, Economical Training Aircraft

By Carmelo Turdo

Spring has finally arrived in the Midwest, and it's now time for pilot training and building hours in the great performing, economical Cessna Skycatcher from Air Associates. The Skycatcher is ideal for new students in Light Sport Aircraft and Private Pilot Certificate training courses offered at either Air Associates of Missouri in St. Louis or Air Associates of Kansas in Olathe. Both locations are Cessna Pilot Centers, offering state-of-the-art training materials and Garmin-equipped, newer-model Cessna aircraft. 

The Cessna Skycatcher has great performance for a Light Sport Aircraft, and offers pilot and passenger a comfortable flight at 110kts with less than 10 gallons/hour fuel burn rate. It uses the proven Continental 0200 engine and conventional metal airframe construction, precluding specialty maintenance tooling needed for composite aircraft or Rotax engines. The rounded cabin design offers 44" cabin width at the shoulders, enough room to prevent rubbing elbows.  Likewise, the 40" seat to ceiling height leaves plenty of headroom. Renting a Skycatcher from either Air Associates location is affordable, and learning to fly in one is a smart first step.

The roominess, great visibility and pleasant flying characteristics of the Skycatcher are illustrated in this brief video clip from a Discovery Flight taken by The Aero Experience Founder Carmelo Turdo and 2013 New CFI of the Year Rich Franzer, then a CFI with Air Associates of Missouri:

 

Some photos from our flight (courtesy of The Aero Experience Contributor Mark Nankivil) show more of the features and performance of the aircraft:

          

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: Ford Exhibit Brings Variety of Cars, Thunderbirds Mustang

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

Ford Motor Company had a significant presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013.  The main exhibit area contained a wide range of interesting vehicles, including first responders, Ford GTs (produced only in 2005 and 2006), F-150 trucks, Mustangs and more outdoors.  Inside the spacious Ford Pavilion, visitors examined the F-150 cutaway, took rides in Model Ts, listened to Henry Ford (played by Mr. Thomas Mahard) talk about the rise of the Ford Motor Company, and gazed at the USAF Thunderbirds Edition Mustang.  The Ford Pavilion also hosted many of the airshow performers for autograph sessions throughout the week.  Ford also provided entertainment on the main stage, the Fly-In Theater, and a family entertainment area.  Ford staff were also very friendly and helpful to The Aero Experience team throughout our visit.  

     

Flying Dutchman Fly-In Is Spring Ritual for Local Aviation Community

By The Aero Experience Team

Attending the Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In held at the Flying Dutchman Airport in Belleville, IL is a spring ritual for St. Louis and Southwest Illinois aviation enthusiasts, and Saturday's event was no exception.  A variety of general aviation aircraft, vintage planes, Robinson helicopters and even a sailplane from the St. Louis Sailplane Association were on the field.  Several flew passengers around the pattern between the pancake breakfast and lunch.  The Aero Experience was there to meet with our local pilot friends and take a few laps around the patch in the Taylorcraft with pilot Brian Kissinger.  If you missed this spring fly-in, be sure to visit another time and attend the fall Chilli Cookout later this year.