Sun N Fun Wrap Up and What’s Next

For those of you who missed SNF 2023 here are some photos.

We introduced the production version of the Merlin Lite and a new Merlin Lite on our 750 floats. An ultralight motor-glider floatplane all in one! This airplane is very impressive. I will be flying it off the water soon. That will be a lot of fun!

Here is the first of 3 videos/articles from Dan Johnson:

https://bydanjohnson.com/magical-merlin-motorglider-goes-both-ways-part-103-or-motorglider-gas-or-electric/

I think I had at least 7 interviews. Here is one by Kitplanes:

https://www.kitplanes.com/chip-erwin-on-the-aeromarine-four-stroke-lsa-engine/

The show was hot. Record heat for Florida this early. And dusty. No rain during the show never happens. Everything was covered in dust. But I guess that is better than the squall lines we have had in the past.

Interest in the entire Merlin line was strong. And even we don’t market it, the 2-seat Merlin yet demand is picking up.

I made a nice video of the flights into the show and lost it. Sigh. So, starting over, here is a video of the return from SNF with the Merlin Lite: https://youtu.be/nPsPeoqTZfA

Bottom right you can see a new addition: Remote choke for the Polini 303DS.

Here is my short-term work plan, with some overlapping tasks:

Sunday, I fly back to Europe. First stop is UK for more flight trials with the Vtwin Merlin. This is valuable to really prove the engine installation is sorted.
Next stop will be TPA in Olomouc, CZ. I will be sorting out the Vtwin documentation for the build manual and POH plus sorting the Merlin Lite POH, collecting parts, and a dozen or so other details with TPA.
And checking on the Merlin kits that should be nearly finished and will be shipped to M-Squared for assembly in USA soon.
And a possible stop at the AERO show as long as I am over there.
Plus, a visit to my Prague-based dentist. Hockey ya know…

I expect this trip will be under two weeks. I need to get back to USA to finish:

Numerous Merlin builds. Two Merlins in Dayton are nearly done then move operations to M-Squared in Alabama to finish builds there and get Paul up to speed.
Merlin Lite flight testing in Florida.
Merlin Lite on floats flights. And some really cool video I expect.
And a build in the Philippines to complete.
Then get ready for Oshkosh! I would like to have a TrueLite or two done for Oshkosh plus the Electrolite. But getting all the above work done by that term will be a challenge.

Watch this space to see the results in real time!

Cheers,

CHIP