Life Changing Event!
The orthopedic surgeons tell me a 100% rupture of the Achillies tendon is a life changing event. At 68 years old this year I tend to agree with them. A measurable part of my remaining life will be spent hobbling around. I can expect full recovery in 1 year, if I follow their instructions but I am a very bad patient. I need to set up the Oshkosh booth and limp around meeting customers. My hockey buddies wish me a speedy recovery for my ruptured uterus. I get no respect.
I had surgery 1 month ago so 11 more months to go. I just returned from a round trip to our Mobile, AL build center taking the TrueLite there for Oshkosh prep. And, in two weeks I need to drive back to Mobile, pick up a trailer, and drive to Oshkosh. This year will be a busy year but aren’t they all. #2025 will be my 45th year at Oshkosh. Maybe I can get me one of those electric scooters?
Prior to the show, I am invited to make a presentation at the Cafe Symposium on Electric Aircraft.
I made a presentation at this Cafe event some 10 years ago and predicted UAMs would sprout wings and hybrid propulsion. I also said aircraft used to crash and burn but with electric they would burn and crash. Took them 10 years to invite me back. But my predictions became reality. This year I will be presenting our patented hybrid prolusion system.
Here are some sneak peek photos of the turbine hybrid we will have in our booth.
We planned on having the electric propulsion system for the Merlin Lite and TrueLite finished and on display also but that will be completed too late.
The 9 KwH battery is basically done now. The Merlin Lite on electric power (Electrolite®) is expected to fly by the end of July. Watch this space!
In breaking news for the Merlin Lite customers, Vitorazzi finally completed the tractor version of their Cosmos 300 engine and said they would ship the first engine to us now. We have all those Merlin Lite airframes waiting for this engine. TPA will make the cowl and engine mount, and full installation ASAP then make test flights and start shipping!
In other breaking news AVIAD has shipped 4 TrueLite kits to us by air yesterday. We will begin our TrueLite assembly line after Oshkosh.
We have this almost new Merlin with Rotax 582 available for anyone interested ina good deal for a beautiful Merlin. Can be upgraded to the Vtwin when the 582 wears out.
We have 2 more Merlin building hours now.
Here is one nice Merlin ready for another flight test. So many t-storms have limited our flying a bit, but we carry on.
Here is a prototype model of our Hyper-STOL wing. Maybe I will show it at Oshkosh if I can get it done in time.
I have a forum at 8:30 Thursday the 23rd at Oshkosh Forum workshop area. I better get busy preparing for it!
I will be talking about how our military projects help us develop really cool aircraft that can be flown under the upcoming MOSAIC LSA rules. How about a Hyper-STOL Merlin? Or a 150 mph Merlin with retract gear and constant speed prop? Working now on patent #5 and advancing aerospace technology!
I may be crippled for a while, but I can still work on new technology and develop my idears.
Cheers,
CHIP
