The Husky A1-B has a 2216-pound gross weight rating, and 800 pound useful load when fitted with amphibious floats.

Aviat Aircraft’s husky A1-B, which was developed according to government specs for greater load-carrying capability is now available in the civilian market. Copies of the A1-B have already been ordered by personnel in US Law Enforcement, Interior Department, Department of Agriculture, Park Service and Canada’s ministry of Natural Resources. Several of the aircraft are already in service and have logged hundreds of trouble-free flying hours.

The Husky A1-B features a stronger wing spar and heavier tail wheel spring. When configured with wheels it has a gross weight capacity of 2,000 pounds, which is 110 pounds greater than the A1-A. In floatplane configuration, with amphibious floats, the gross weight is 2,200 pounds. That provides a useful load of 800 pounds. In addition, the A1-B has a baggage compartment access door, rear seat heater, and windshield defroster as standard equipment. Two new significant options include retractable fluidine skis, and an aft stowage compartment that provides additional space for camping gear, fishing or hunting equipment, tools, medical supplies or snowshoes.

"Incorporating the government specs has placed the Husky in a class by itself in terms of fuel efficiency and load carrying capability", said Aviat President Stu Horn. ”Exceeding a 2,200-pound gross weight with a 180 horsepower engine provides the Husky with extraordinary hauling capability for government, industrial and recreational applications".

Both models of the Husky currently in production can be adapted for straight or amphibious floats, skis, regular tires and various sizes of tundra tires up to 31 inches in diameter. Lycoming 0-360-A1P engines are mounted with constant speed propellers on both versions. Fitted with wheels, at sea level, the Husky cruises at 140 mph, takes off in 200 feet and will climb 1500 feet per minute. At 55 per cent power, the aircraft has a range of 800 miles. Aviat currently produces about 72 Husks a year.

"We made the A1-B model available in response to requests from private industry and sport pilots", said Horn. "The applications they find for utilizing the Husky are incredibly diverse".

For further information on the new Husky A1-B contact Aviat Aircraft at (3070 886-3151; fax (307) 886-9674 or write them at PO Box 1240, Afton, WY 83100 USA. Website : www.aviataircraft.com.

With Dave Morss at the controls, the first customer-built Thundar Mustang completed its initial flight, winning praise from the pilot for the quality of workmanship and performance. "Nothing accelerates and flies like a Thunder Mustang", said Morss. Belonging to Tommy E. rose of Hickory, MS, the second thunder Mustang to fly was completed recently at the factory in Nampa.

"With technical support and direction from the factory, Tommy worked hard to get his project to the flight line", said Papa 51 CEO Dan Denney. "Tommy’s accomplishment includes several refinements that are now a standard part of the production line kits". Denney reported that Rose’s aircraft is being put through a flight test program and Rose will be provided with flight training.

"Thunder Mustang number two flew very much the same as the prototype", said Denney. "There were no surprises and we really didn’t have to do any mods or adjustments. Ground handling has been enhanced with a redesign of the tailwheel assembly. It’s a real showpiece in terms of craffsmanship and attention to detail".

The two seat Thunder Mustangs are capable of climb rates of nearly 6,000 fpm and will cruise at 300 knots. With its incredible range (1300 nautical miles) and performance, the aircraft is ideal for cross country and sport flying.

The Thunder Mustang is the fastest homebuilt kit in production today, sporting a 12-cylinder Falconer engine that produces 640 horsepower. A supercharged version of that engine will produce 1200 horsepower and will be tested later this year as part of an assault on a number of world records.

Thunder Mustang kits are sold as complete projects with everything needed to get to the flightline except upholstery, paint and avionics. For information on the Thunder Mustang contact Papa 51 Ltd. Co at (208) 4665204, fax (208 1385. Their web site, which has been completely redesigned and is updated weekly, is www.thundermustang.com.

A new high performance seaplane will debut soon. The plane is a carbon graphite all composite single engine construction. The prototype will fly during the very early of year 2000. The plane will accomodate up to 6 people in 3 configurations.

The prototype will be equipped with Walter M601 gas turbine, and later with Lycoming 350 HP turbocharged engine. Future Diesels will be on the option list as soon as they are available for the market. The plane will be available in kit and ready made form and initially targeting high-end high-performance homebuildt market. FAA&JAA certifications and appearance on the "professional" market is under consideration.

As SeaStar is still in the development phase SeaStar International has established a website where they are waiting for market and customer feedbacks to be able to incorporate demanded features into the design.

Young people around the world will again have the opportunity to "take to the air" on Saturday, June 12, as the EAA Aviation Foundation hosts its sixth annual International Young Eagles Day. The event, the most ambitious, internationally coordinated effort held in conjunction with the Foundation's "Young Eagles Program" each year, seeks to introduce thousands of kids to the world of flight in a single day.

The Young Eagles Program was launched during the 1992 EAA Fly-In Convention at Oshkosh, Wis. Its goal is to provide one million young people with a free demonstration airplane ride by the year 2003 - the 100th anniversary of powered flight and the 50th anniversary of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Most Young Eagles are flown throughout the year, but International Young Eagles Day brings a special focus to this unique volunteer program.

More than 460,000 young people and 22,000 volunteer pilots have already participated in the program. Those pilots have helped kids gain a new perspective on the world in which they live and the role aviation plays in their everyday lives. The pilots have also become "aviation mentors" and shared their knowledge and experience with a new generation of aviation enthusiasts. The program also brings families out to local airports, where they discover the resource an airport is to a community.

As in past years, dozens of flight rallies will be held on as many as five continents (North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe). In addition to the many large flight rallies scheduled, individual EAA pilots will provide airplane rides to kids in their local area on (or about) June 12 as well as throughout the year. Gen. Chuck Yeager, Honorary Chairman of the Young Eagles Program, has personally flown dozens of young people since becoming Honorary Chairman in January 1994. He has traditionally participated in International Young Eagles Day each year. "We have a responsibility to pass along our aviation heritage to our kids and grandkids," Yeager said. "Thousands of pilots and other EAA members already have. I hope those who haven't will start soon - if not today, then certainly on June 12."

EAA members who are not pilots can also participate in International Young Eagles Day through ground activities at flight rallies or by bringing together an EAA pilot and a young person for a demonstration flight. Other designated organizations that have associated with EAA for the Young Eagles Program will also participate. "Involvement is the key to making the Young Eagles Program successful," Poberezny concluded. "For aviation to grow, each one of us who enjoys the world of flight must share our enthusiasm with someone eager to learn more. That is the challenge for all EAA members and everyone involved in aviation."

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma City will host the International Aviation Training Symposium September 28 through 30, l999, inOklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A. Theme of the symposium, designed to enhance international aviation safety, is "Aviation Training for the 21st Century."

The FAA Academy initiative encourages training partnerships and resource sharing among aviation training institutions and international aviation organizations worldwide. Safety issues presented as training strategies at the symposium are in concert with President Clinton's "Safe Skies" initiatives.

Delegates to the symposium will represent aviation-related training institutions, domestic and international aviation-oriented organizations, aviation or transportation government officials having training oversight responsibilities, and the aviation industry and institutions of higher learning. They will present and discuss projects, programs, and concerns directly related to international aviation training and development.

The symposium will feature the latest technology, standardization of training models and methodologies, and international aviation training funding strategies. Exhibition space will be available to private firms and organizations to feature equipment, products, and services related to international aviation training.

Issues to be discussed include: funding strategies in support of aviation training, and training for new technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), and Communication, Navigation and Surveillance in Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM). Also in focus will be creative and innovative training methods including Computer Based Instruction, Interactive Video Teletraining, and the Internet. Aviation training opportunities by and through the U.S. government, U.S. industry, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and others will be discussed. Effective evaluation of training, the necessity for regional training programs, and resource sharing of instructors, materials, facilities, and equipment will also be topics.

The FAA Academy is based in Oklahoma City at the Federal Aviation Administration's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Domestic U.S. and international students train in air traffic control, maintenance of electronic equipment and systems, safety, and security.

More information about the International Aviation Training Symposium, including delegate enrollment forms and an e-mail link for comments, may be found at the symposium web site: www.iats.jccbi.gov. For Safe Skies, see www.dot.gov, key words "Safe Skies."

Families can now share a weekend bonding centered on aviation fun and activities at one of four EAA Family Flight Camps during 1999, based at EAA's beautiful new Air Academy Lodge.

During these unique weekend programs, the focus will be on family fun with an aviation emphasis. Activities include flight experiences and hands-on workshops, as well as in-depth views of EAA, its programs and Oshkosh facilities. The program is based on activities from the popular EAA Air Academy, which has been instrumental in opening the world of flight to young people and adults for more than 15 years. The camps are scheduled May 29-31, Sept 10-12, Oct. 8-10 and Nov. 12-14, 1999.

EAA Family Flight Camps are open to any family combination, including parents, children, grandparents, uncles/aunts and other family members. Families will be housed in the Air Academy Lodge, a complete residence facility that opened in June 1998 adjacent to the EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh.

Openings are limited for this family weekend program. The fees for a family of three are $350 for non-EAA members, $300 for EAA Members. For a family of four, fees are $450 for non-EAA members and $400 for EAA Members. For families larger than four, more information or registration, contact the EAA Education Office at 920-426-6815 or via e-mail (education@eaa.org).

Weekly jumps from 33.000 feet (10.000 meters) at the Russian Air Force base. Jumps from 16.000 feet (5.000 m). Plane AN-12.

Jumps from 13.000 feet (4.000 m) also. Helicopter MI-8.

33.000 feet - USD 40
16.000 feet - USD 10
13.000 feet - USD 4

33.000 feet - USD 30
16.000 feet - USD 5
13.000 feet - USD 3

From May 1999 jump’s prices will rise for 20 %.

From April 23, Friday, 1999, jump’s days every week - Saturday, Sunday from 10 o’clock till light day’s end. Experienced military instructors trains students in free fall. AFF (PFF), Static Line study systems. Jumps & excursions to place of the first cosmonaut Juri Gagarin landing. The Air Force base situates in Engels (Saratov’s suburb) at the great Russian river Volga. From Moscow - about 700 km (1 hour by plaine or 16 hours by train The high-altitude jumps, night jumps, jumps on water and other kind of extrem skydiving is specialization of the Center. We guarantee all kind of equipment for jumps - warm suits, gloves, shoes. Every skydiver must make before arrival document with his (her) sign ensuring by notary or consul: