Also: Air Force Greenlights T-7A, Terrain Awareness Survey, CAP Storm Response, FSA VAPI Approval (and YES! Holland’s Back From Maternity Leave, On Partial Duty!) Zenith Aircraft Company is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its original STOL CH 701 “Sky Jeep” Design. Zenith Aircraft has been manufacturing SportPlanes in Mexico, Mo., since the early 1990s, operating in a niche corner of the market specializing in all-metal, high-wing and low-wing light sport airplanes that customers assemble themselves. The company traces its origins back to aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, who began designing light aircraft in the 1970s. U.S. aviation fuel prices continued trending higher in April, with sustained increases nationwide as the war in Iran and ongoing instability in the Middle East continued to influence energy markets. National JET A full service averaged $8.05 in April, representing an increase of $0.41 (5.3%) compared to March. Excluding Alaska and Hawaii, Lower-48 JET A full service averaged $7.97, up $0.38 (5.0%) compared to March. The FAA was notified that a tail skid featuring a J-shaped, hook design manufactured by AirKit LLC under Part Number 16316, has been installed on FAA type-certificated Cessna 172s. This discovery was made following an incident on a Cessna 172 instructional flight in which the aircraft experienced a minor tail strike. During the strike, the tail-skid bracket bent backward and upward, penetrated the rudder’s bottom skin panel, and subsequently jammed the rudder. All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-Unlimited!!!
