Piper Unveils Affordable Pilot Trainers

Piper Aircraft launched the Piper Pilot 100 and 100i basic trainers this morning at Sun ‘n‘ Fun 2019. The new models, which are derivatives of the PA-28, feature a Continental Prime IO-370-D3A engine and Garmin G3X Touch Certified avionics in a standard two-pilot interior configuration, but a third rear seat is available as an option. Both aircraft will be available in “limited quantities” beginning next year, with sales being direct from the factory instead of Piper dealers.

The VFR Pilot 100 retails for $259,000 and includes a single 10.6-inch Garmin G3X Touch unit, while the $285,000 IFR-outfitted 100i has dual 3X Touch displays, as well as Garmin GFC500 autopilot and GNX 375 transponder. Both aircraft will also be the first Piper airplanes to include 3D-printed parts, though these will be limited to plastic-molded components such as vent tubes and trim pieces, said v-p of sales, marketing, and customer support Ron Gunnarson.

“With the unprecedented demand for professional pilots, our team worked closely with several key suppliers to deliver an aggressively priced, proven trainer that offers the advanced systems and performance that flight schools and airline programs of all sizes desire,” said Piper president and CEO Simon Caldecott. “We are excited to add the Pilot 100 series to our training product line at a price point that provides optimal economics for all operators.”

AOPA App’s Pilot Passport Gamifies Flying

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) released a new feature via its app that gamifies flying, it announced on the eve of Sun ‘n‘ Fun 2019. Called Pilot Passport, the new feature lets users search for new places to fly, check in at airports and aviation events, earn points and badges for meeting certain criteria, and share adventures with others through social media and the AOPA Hangar.

“Now you can check in at an airport or event right from your mobile device like you would on social media and earn points and badges for bragging rights and prizes,” said AOPA senior v-p of marketing Jiri Marousek.

With Pilot Passport, pilots can earn badges for landing at different types of airports, including grass strips, seaplane bases, heliports, and paved runways; landing at airports in your state; and visiting airports and aviation events across the country. A special AOPA 80th anniversary badge is also available from now until December to honor the association’s milestone.

Pilots can also accumulate points to unlock higher levels that range from bronze to silver to gold. The AOPA app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Waco Brings Biplane, PC-6 on Floats to Sun ‘n’ Fun

Battle Creek, Michigan-based Waco Aircraft, the only FAA-approved manufacturer of 1930s sport biplanes, is basking in the Florida springtime sunlight this week at Sun 'n' Fun 2019, bringing its YMF-5F biplane with amphibious Aerocet 3400 floats to the show. The company, which was founded in 1983, originally as the Classic Aircraft Corporation, wanted to revive the golden era of open-cockpit biplanes, and, under the guidance of Dimor Group, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based company, its skilled engineers and technicians have done just that.

The three-place airplane (the pilot flies from the rear and two passengers sit side-by-side up front) on display cruises at a leisurely 94 knots and has a 726-pound useful load. It features a 300-hp engine, MT constant-speed propeller, and Garmin VFR avionics. Optional equipment includes a landing gear kit to swap out the floats when water landings aren’t needed.

The company also has its Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 180-hp aerobatic biplane on display at the show. Finally, in the pavilion (location MD 19) there is the classic YMF-5 and a Dimor-owned Pilatus PC-6 on amphibious floats that Waco president Peter Bowers is happy to see attracting attention.

Waco provides no-cost transition training in customer aircraft for new Waco YMF-5D and Great Lakes aircraft—no tailwheel experience necessary. Other transition training can be found at the Troy, Ohio-based Waco Historical Society.

Sporty’s Awards Inaugural Prize to Young Writer

Sporty’s founders Hal and Sandy Shevers are known for their commitment to growing aviation. The late Richard L. Collins, longtime editor of Flying magazine, helped Sporty’s launch a digital version of the original Air Facts magazine that his father, Leighton Collins, began in 1938.

Now, Air Facts editor John Zimmerman will award the first Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots, with a $2,500 stipend, to Emma Hutchinson, a midshipman studying English at the United States Naval Academy, on Wednesday at the 2019 Sun 'n' Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida.

Hutchinson’s article, titled “The Old Man in the Plane,” is a tribute to her grandfather, who instilled in her a love of flying and flew with her often, teaching her the fundamentals of flight. In it, she writes, “My grandpa told me the sky was his church, the place he felt the presence of a higher being, always present. He guided me to start my own journey in the old plane, this time with a new instructor.” 

Based on the success of this first year’s writing prize, plans are under way to continue this award next year. Details will be posted at Air Facts Journal later this year. 

Premier Shows Off Mooney Ovation Ultra at SNF 2019

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Premier Aircraft Sales brought a 2019 Mooney Ovation Ultra demo airplane and its two regional sales experts to staff the bird this week at Mooney’s Sun ‘n' Fun 2019 pavilion (MD-009A). Travis Peffer and Lee Drumheller are splitting duties at the booth, ready to answer questions about the airplane’s composite fuselage modifications and—unusual for a Mooney—two-door configuration.

“Mooney is doing a great job with the new product,” said Peffer. “At Premier, we are a full-service dealership. If you buy a Mooney from us, you get the advantage of our assistance with financing, as well as the assurance of a three-year or 300-flight-hour basic maintenance program, plus transition training,” he explained, noting that most of the sales he’s closed recently were financed on three- to five-year terms because of attractive rates.

Drumheller also added that Mooney is offering a $10,000 flight training credit to new owners that can be used for any rating above that of private pilot.