Comet #100 - Something Special

Back in March 1997 the very first FK-12 Comet D-MPLI took to the air for the first flight of this new design.  Now FK Lightplanes can celebrate the delivery of Comet #100.

Comet #100 and #101 have been sold to France and they are unlike any previous Comet !

Comet #100

These two FK-12 Comets are operated by Les Ailes de Pegase Experience from the airfield at Saint Estephe, just north of Pauillac ( which is just north of Bordeaux ).  Both aircraft were delivered in a basic white colour scheme but have now been repainted grey with sharksmouths under the engine cowling. Grey Sharks - Fierce Comets !

Ailes de Pegase offer FK-12 Air Combat Experience - both aircraft air fitted with laser guns and smoke systems. This is your chance to try aerial combat over the skies above the Gironde. Shoot well and the laser will trigger the release of smoke from the "enemy" Comet. The range of the laser is approx 200m.

Comet #101

The company has several ex military fast jet pilots who will fly with you to teach you the skills of close formation flying and aerial dog-fighting - it sounds great fun !

I'd like to thank Laurent Pons for this very interesting Comet news.

More details about Ailes de Pegase can be found on their website link below

Link to Ailes de Pegase website


Steve

New colour scheme for Comet OO-F67

Belgian Comet OO-F67 has now been repainted into a new colour scheme. This FK-12 Comet is c/n 20 and was delivered new in 1999 in the then standard yellow/blue colours with the side code "12".  The aircraft was originally delivered to a German customer as D-MPHM.

Comet OO-F67 in the original colour scheme

In 2007 this Comet was sold to a new owner in Belgium and based at the airfield at Hannut/Avernas-le-Bauduin.  The aircraft has recently ( Winter 2011/2012 ) been repainted in an attractive new yellow/white/black colour scheme with "Comet 12" side markings.

I'd like to thank Arthur for this FK-12 Comet news.


Steve

New Comets - Two new Comets for USA coming soon

Hansen Air Group have confirmed that their two new FK-12 Comets are now ready for shipping from Europe - if all goes well they are due in the USA by the end of February 2012 - great news

The two new Comets are shown here in the snow at Krosno, Poland about to be loaded for shipment to the USA.


These two aircraft will be fitted with the brand new Lycoming AEIO-233 engine ( rather than the normal Rotax 912 ) - the new engine will be installed by Renegade Light Sport - this will allow the FK-12 Comet to operate as an aerobatic Light Sports Aircraft ( LSA ) in the US.


UPDATE - 19.2.2012 - these two new Comets have arrived at docks on the East Coast of the US - now they will travel down to Renegade Light Sport for the fitting of their new Lycoming engines.


Steve

FK-12 Comet - Video Review by Hansen Air Group

Hansen Air Group of USA have just uploaded a 14 minute video about the FK-12 Comet - take a look via the link below

Steve

Fly In - Bullingen 2012

This years Bullingen Fly In will take place over the weekend of 30th June / 1st July 2012 at the Bullingen airfield in Belgium.

 
This event includes a gathering of FK-12 Comet  - in previous years 10 or more Comets have flown into this event to meet and party ( search this Blog for Bullingen to see reports from previous years events ).

For more details please contact Guido Quetsch via email   quetschguido "at" gmx.net


Steve

Another new Comet

FK Lightplanes recently delivered this new FK-12 Comet to a customer in Germany - registered as D-MDMC this Comet was exhibited ( with no registration markings ) at the Aero 2011 trade show earlier in 2011.

After the show the aircraft returned to the FK factory at Krosno, Poland for final completion.  Note the revised wingtips. This photo shows the Comet at the FK delivery centre at Speyer, Germany.

With thanks to the marketing team at FK.

Steve

Big Beautiful Doll - Air to Air and more

Pierre has sent me a web link to a lovely set of photographs showing his Comet "Big Beautiful Doll" over the Alps - there are some great photos among this collection.

                                                                               Photo copyright Michel Lebleux



Take a look at them via

https://picasaweb.google.com/101750662270132485863/BIGBeautifiuDoll?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLmC0Km7ivvO2QE&feat=directlink



Steve

FK-12 Comet Production List

This is a very simple listing and shows Construction Number / Werknummer, ID, Registration, Country, Notes per aircraft - tie ups for 84 individual Comet aircraft from approx 97 aircraft built to date





If you can help with additions, corrections or comments then please email me via

bea_steve@hotmail.com

This information data table is Copyright Steven May

1 ID1 REG D-MPLI Country - Germany - Notes at Cranfield UK 1998
1 ID2 REG F????    Country - France - registration please ?

2 ID1 REG D-MVML Country - Germany - Notes yellow with blue nose - JABIRU 3300 engine
3 help - believed to be a kit - more details please
4 ID1 REG D-MOJE Country - Germany - Notes blue/yellow USAAC c/s - flown over 1,000 flight hours
5 ID1 REG D-MSLP Country - Germany - Notes built 1998 yellow/blue "12" ; based Saarbruecken
6 ID1 REG D-MRAW Country - Germany - Notes destroyed accident 2003

7 ID1 REG D-MSUF Country - Germany - Notes built 1998
7 ID2 REG 57-ADB Country - France - registered 2005 radio callsign F-JGCO
7 ID3 REG D-MHPM Country - Germany - registered in 2007 yellow/blue c/s marked "7" based Kaufbeuren



8 ID1 REG D-MRDM Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue "12"
8 ID2 REG 17-RB Country - France - Notes new registration 2008, yellow/blue, radio callsign F-JXRK - named "Angel's Spirit" - flown approx 350 hours by 5.08
8 ID3 REG ???? - sold to new owner near Paris, France

9 ID1 REG D-MRKL Country - Germany - Notes yellow "12" ; based Saarlouis-Duren

c/n 9 registered in Germany as D-MRKL

c/n 9 registered in France as 57-AUT  radio callsign F-JWXP

9 ID2 REG 57-AUT Country - France - Notes registered 2009 radio callsign F-JWXP yellow "9" based Metz, France

10 ID1 REG D-MYLG Country - Germany - Notes yellow with blue line
11 help
12 ID1 REG 31-DE Country - France - Notes F-JIDE blue/yellow Kit first flew 10.2001
13 help
14 ID1 REG D-MWEW Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue "12"
15 ID1 REG D-MSLO Country - Germany - Notes built 1998

16 ID1 REG D-MNHL Country - Germany - Notes yellow & white & Tiger stripes
16 ID2 REG ZU-EDV Country - South Africa - Notes seen 5.06 yellow & white & Tiger stripes
16 ID3 REG SE-VLJ Country - Sweden - Notes seen 6.07 yellow & white & Tiger stripes

17 ID1 REG D-MYVO Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue "12" "Big Beautiful Doll" based in Italy
17 ID2 REG 83-AKM Country - France - Notes yellow/blue "12" "Big Beautiful Doll" based in southern France

18 ID1 REG D-MIRK Country - Germany - Notes Kit built f/f 2006 ; yellow/white "12"  ; new owner 2010 based Gunching

19 ID1 REG D-MOUT Country - Germany - Notes built 1999 white/black ; white/metallic green by 2007 ; Destroyed Fatal Accident 3.5.08

20 ID1 REG D-MPHM Country - Germany - Notes built 1999 yellow/blue "12"
20 ID2 REG OO-F67 Country - Belgium - Notes registered 10.07, yellow/blue "12" seen Hannut Belgium 6.08 - repainted yellow/white/black early 2012

21 ID1 REG D-MTOT Country - Germany - Notes built 1999 yellow and black
21 ID2 REG D-MSLK Country - Germany - Notes registered 10.02 yellow with Bucker-Switzerland design

22 ID1 REG D-MUED Country - Germany - Notes built 1999 - yellow/blue "12"
22 ID2 REG 56-LV Country - France - Notes Reg 2007 - yellow/blue "12" callsign F-JXQR - For Sale early 2008

23 ID1 REG D-MTBB Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue "12" ; Seen in Sao Jose, Brazil 11.07
24 ID1 REG D-MOND Country - Germany - Notes red/white
25 ID1 REG D-MPAO Country - Germany - Notes yellow with blue stripe
26 ID1 REG D-MNHW Country - Germany
27 ID1 REG D-MTLW Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue seen Stadtscanal, Holland
28 help ?
29 ID1 REG D-MSSS Country - Germany - Notes white/grey/red
30 ID1 REG D-MPHK Country - Germany - Notes was yellow/blue but yellow/maroon "12" by 2006
31 ID1 REG D-MOBS Country - Germany - Notes all red old USAAC c/s "F-7" - JABIRU 3300 engine
32 ID1 REG D-MORE Country - Germany - Notes yellow/maroon "12"
33 ID1 REG D-MTBT Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue with "Comet" and yellow stars on cowling

34 ID1 REG 59-CEJ Country - France - Notes F-JFKR built 2000 yellow with green stars
34 ID2 REG 85-YJ Country - France - Notes re-registered in 2008 - still c/s F-JFKR

35 ID1 REG D-MYHS Country - Germany
36 ID1 REG D-MOXL Country - Germany - Notes white/blue ; yellow/blue by 2007
37 ID1 REG D-EZWO Country - Germany - built from kit - notes - powered by Wankel rotary engine - MTOW 520 Kg - based Mainz-Finthen
38 ID1 REG D-MSAH Country - Germany - Notes skyblue/yellow
39 ID1 REG 974-FQ Country - France - Reunion Island - Notes yellow - Destroyed, ditched
40 ID2 REG D-MWWE Country - Germany - blue/silver / yellow with black/white checks, named "Sally"

41 ID1 REG D-MSPI Country - Germany - Notes built 2001, red/white named "Mortitz 2"
41 ID2 REG OO-F77 Country - Belgium - Notes registered 2.08 based Bullingen named "Bijlenair"

42 ID1 REG D-MQAX - yellow/blue Destroyed 14.8.2008

43 ID1 REG D-MOVE Country - Germany - Notes built 2001 yellow - sold to France in 2010
43 ID2 REG 60-RJ  Country - France - Notes yellow named "Destination Beer"

44 ID1 REG 31-FS Country - France - Notes F-JIFS yellow with brown stars
45 ID1 REG D-MTAP Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue with "12" in a circle
46 ID1 REG D-MXAD Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue - was based in Italy, then to France - Destroyed
47 ID1 REG D-MZMM Country - Germany - Notes built 2001 yellow/blue

48 ID1 REG D-MRJD Country - Germany - Notes white/red
48 ID2 REG 86-IA Country - France white/red also marked "48"radio callsign F-JRBC

49 ID1 REG 974-GJ Country - France - Reunion Island - Notes yellow radio callsign F-JMBS
50 ID1 REG D-MIFK Country - Germany - Notes yellow "50" at Cranfield UK 2002

51 ID1 REG 54-US Country - France - Notes yellow at Cranfield UK 2002
51 ID2 REG F-JGDX Country - France - Notes yellow based Luxembourg 2004

52 ID1 REG D-MCVW Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue

53 ID1 REG HA-YFKC Country - Hungary - Notes first registered June 2002, yellow/blue "12"
53 ID2 REG I-A363 Country - Italy - yellow/blue now has a "kangaroo" on tail

54 ID1 REG D-MKWB Country - Germany - Notes was red/white - yellow/white by 2007
55 ID1 REG D-MARS Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue based Austria

56 ID1 REG D-MUZZ Country - Germany - Notes white/red first flown 2009 - JABIRU 3300 engine - sold 2011
56 ID2 REG

57 ID1 REG 17-FK Country - France - Notes was based at Oleron, France ; seen at Hannut Belgium 6.08
57 ID2 REG OO-G12 Country - Belgium - registered 9.08 based at Hannut Belgium, yellow

58 ID1 REG 31-BU Country - France - Notes F-JIBU yellow/blue stars based Muret 2004 - Destroyed

59 ID1 REG 59-CHP Country - France - Notes red/white but believed based at Baisy-Thy in Belgium, seen 6.08
59 ID2 REG OO-G20 Country - Belgium - registered 12.08 based at Wevelgem EBKT

60 ID1 REG D-MFKD Country - Germany - Notes all yellow "60"

61 ID1 REG SP-YOA Country - Poland - Notes red has operated on floats !
61 ID2 REG D-MSWH Country - Germany - bought in 2009

62 ID1 REG D-MGFK Country - Germany - Notes yellow/blue/grey with stars on nose
63 ID1 REG D-MITE Country - Germany - Notes yellow/white - Destroyed 2004
64 ID1 REG N5102J Country - USA - Notes registered September 2006 based Florida

65 ID1 REG SP-YKF Country - Poland - Notes built at CSLT Krosno in 2006 - yellow/blue
65 ID2 REG OK-LUA-42 Country Czech Rep - registered May 2006 - Destroyed Fatal accident at Bydgoszcz, Poland 26.8.06

66 ID1 REG I-8234 - Country - Italy - Notes blue with "Comet" on side and three white stripes
67 ID1 REG D-MLWM Country - Germany - Notes green/yellow used for banner towing
68 help REG ????? Country - France - Notes possibly all yellow - Destroyed

69 ID1 REG D-MLGI Country - Germany - Notes orange/white/grey based Spain 2007

 
70 ID1 REG D-MEJH Country - Germany - Notes yellow with orange stripe ; has Rotax 912S 100hp engine - used for banner towing and smoke system ; based Worms airfield ; named "Comet Angel" by 7.10
71 help
72 ID1 REG D-MOKU Country - Germany - Notes yellow based in Austria
73 ID1 REG D-MVES Country - Germany - Notes believed based in Italy
74 ID1 REG 54-AEQ Country - France - Notes F-JZKB yellow upper white lower - Destroyed 2010
75 ID1 REG 45-YI Country - France - Notes yellow with grey/blue lines - c/s F-JYAD
76 ID1 REG 974-KX Country France Reunion Island - Notes F-JMEA orange and white with "www.garage-scf.com" titles
77 ID1 REG D-MKKJ Country - Germany - Notes yellow/white marked "77" - based in Austria
78 help
79 ID1 REG 05-JW Country - France - Notes yellow marked "79" - Destroyed
80 help
81 help
82 ID1 REG HB-......... Country - Switzerland - Notes Kit aircraft under construction

83 ID1 REG D-MVCW(1) Country - Germany - Notes white/yellow/blue, displayed at Aero 2009 at Friedrichshafen ; sold to France summer 2010
83 ID2 REG 11-IJ  Country - France from summer 2010

84 ID1 REG OH-U601 Country - Finland - Notes white/yellow delivered 6.09
85 ID1 REG I-A329 Country - Italy - Notes "Comet Race" scheme as "96" white/yellow delivered 7.10
86 for San Marino

87 ID1 REG F-JFAL Country - France - Notes 1st "Special Edition Comet" - false registration for rollout and marketing only
87 ID2 REG 57-AXT Country - France - radio callsign F-JRLQ - test flying 2010

88 ID1 REG D-MXIL  Country - Germany - white/blue/yellow

89 help

90 help
91 ID1 - D-MLEC - Country - Portugal - delivered 9.10- yellow/white "91"
92 ID1 - D-MVCW(2) Country - Germany - delivered 8.10 - white/yellow/blue
93 ID1 - F-JSKR - Country - France - Special Edition Comet #3 - delivered March 2011
94 ID1 - N452JH - Country - USA - delivered 1.11 - white/yellow/grey "64"
95 ID1 - D-MNAZ - Country - Germany - delivered 6.11 - white/red "95"
96
97
98
99
100 ID1 - to France for Les Ailes de Pegase
101 ID1 - to France for Les Ailes de Pegase
102 - USA - shipped Jan 2012
103 - USA - shipped Jan 2012
104
105
106

In addition to the above details I know that the following registrations that have been carried as FK-12 Comets but I do not have construction number ( MSN ) tie ups - can you help please ?

D-MPOA

D-MQAX - is this c/n 42 ?

28-BI - French built in 1997/98

73-KD - see photo at Link B above top left

77-ALK - French sky blue aircraft seen at Coulommiers-Voisins

25-UA - French current 2008 c/n ?? - seen Belgium 9.08 sky blue colour

29-JH - French all yellow seen Quiberon 5.07



If you can offer any help with additional information, amends or corrections then please let me know via

bea_steve "at" hotmail.com

Thank You


Steven May
UK

Aerobatic Comet - Flying Upside down in Italy

I want to thank Fausto in Italy for sending me some photos he has taken showing the view from his FK-12 Comet cockpit - Fausto has successfully modified his Rotax engine to allow aerobatic inverted flying - so far he has flown over 30 hours with this modification.


""Up Down Flying Around Looping The Loop and Defying The Ground""


Congratulations - Enjoy your Comet

FK-12 Comet in Japan

I'd like to thank Angela at FK Lightplanes for telling me about a FK-12 Comet in Japan - I had no knowledge of this aircraft before.

The aircraft was delivered to Japan in May 2009 as a factory supplied kit ( 80% complete ) - there are some great photos of the aircraft being received, assembled and completed on the web link below - please take a look.





http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/516851/blog/c449141/



Comet in Japan - night time engine test - Video on YouTube



The aircraft was completed in November 2011 and it is painted in a very attractive white/red/blue colour scheme.

Congratulations to the new owner  - Enjoy your beautiful Comet


Steve

Comet "Big Beautiful Doll" - now in France

FK-12 Comet "Big Beautiful Doll" ( previously D-MYVO c/n 017 ) was sold in Summer 2011 - this aircraft was previously based in Italy.

The aircraft has moved to the Cannes area of the south of France - The new owner Pierre is a former 747 commercial airline pilot and he hopes to add an inverted oil system and fuel injection to the engine in the future.

Thanks for the news Pierre - Enjoy your Comet

Steve

Two more FK-12 Comets for the US - New engine too

Hi


Good news from Hansen Air Group of  Georgia, USA - they confirm that they have two new build FK-12 Comets on order for delivery to the US in late 2011.

These two aircraft will be fitted with the brand new Lycoming IO-233 engine ( rather than the normal Rotax 912 ) - the new engine will be installed by Renegade Light Sport - this will allow the FK-12 Comet to operate as an aerobatic Light Sports Aircraft ( LSA ) in the US.

More info on the new Lycoming IO-233 engine here -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycoming_IO-233

http://www.lycoming.com/news-and-events/pdfs/233-engine.pdf


UPDATE 16th Nov 2011 - More info with thanks to Tony

http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2011/11/14/renegade-light-sport-developing-acro-engine-for-lsa/#more-53612



Steve

FK-12 Comet - Destination Beer !

FK-12 Comet pilot Richard has sent me some photos of his Comet registration 60-RJ construction number 043.


This Comet was built in 2001 and originally registered in Germany as D-MOVE. In 2010 this Comet was sold to a new owner in France.

 

It is now registered as 60-RJ and operates from an airfield near Paris - the new owner has modified the colour scheme by adding the name "Destination Beer" onto the tail rudder and by the addition of 12 beer logos beside the cockpit, sounds a great idea to me  - Cheers Richard !


Steve

FK-12 Comet Fly In at Wendelsheim

On the weekend of the 10th & 11th September a group of Comet pilots held their second annual "Fly In"  - this year the airfield location was at Wendelsheim in the Alzey-Worms district of Rhineland.

This year 9 Comets visited the event,

OO-F77, D-MFKD, D-MNAZ, D-MOJE, D-MSLK, D-MSLP, D-MSSS, D-MWEW, D-MYLG, 


Among the FK-12 Comets that visited the Fly In at Wendelsheim were,

D-MFKD c/n 060 - this Comet now has a new colour scheme - it was originally all yellow with a large "60" - the new colours feature a "flaming Comet rock" on the engine cowling - very nice.

D-MXIL c/n 088 - this Comet was delivered in 2010 - the colour scheme is virtually identical to Comet D-MVCW

D-MSSS c/n 029  - this Comet was built in 2001 and is flown by pilot Peter Kranz  - I think this colour scheme is one of the most attractive I've seen on a FK-12 Comet.






Steve

D-MOKU - "nearly no limits" - new photo

I would like to thank Hannes Wazlawik for sending me this great new photo of Comet D-MOKU taken in September 2011.

D-MOKU is now based at Zell am See airfield ( LOWZ ) in Austria - great mountain scenery.


Steve 

New Comet at Blois - September 2011

At the recent Blois ( France ) aero trade show local FK dealers Innov-Air exhibited a new FK-12 Comet.

The aircraft is painted in a white/black "zebra" colour scheme and features the new wing tip profile.

At the moment I do not know the construction number ( werknummer ) for this new FK-12 - can you help ?

Steve

Comet Truck !

I recently received the photo below from Christoph Bruehl, the owner and pilot of FK-12 Comet D-MTBT.  His Comet usually lives in a hangar at the airfield but Christoph has adapted this truck to carry his Comet by road - handy for taking the Comet home to his workshop.

Note the rail underneath the Comet to help slide the aircraft in and out of the vehicle. 

Just make sure you don't forget to fold the wings first !

Thanks to Christoph for sharing this photo.


Steve

New Comet - D-MNAZ

I would like to thank Natze Altekemper of FK Service Center, Senden, Germany for the news about Comet #095 recently delivered in a lovely white and red colour scheme registered as D-MNAZ.

This new aircraft features a Fly Map LD moving map display.


Steve

FK-12 Comet Special Edition #3

 UPDATED 15.6.2011 with photo

I'd like to thank Jean-Pierre for getting in touch with me to say that he is the proud new owner of FK-12 Comet Special Edition #3 - F-JSKR.

He took delivery of this new build Comet in March 2011 and flew it to his home base at Vendee Air Park, France. This new Comet replaces his previous Comet c/n 034.

Congratulations - enjoy your Special Edition. 



Steve

FK-12 Comet For Sale - c/n 061 D-MSKH - Now SOLD

The owner of Comet D-MSKH c/n 061 has recently put his Comet up for sale.

Please view the link below for more details.


http://www.planecheck.com/?ent=da&id=16194

Please note that I am not responsible for the content of external web sites - if you have any questions about this aircraft please contact the seller directly.

UPDATE JULY 2011 - this aircraft is now SOLD

Steve

For Sale - FK-12 Comet c/n 017 D-MYVO

I have been asked by the owner of Comet D-MYVO "Big Beautiful Doll" to let you know that his FK-12 Comet is up for sale - if you would like to know more information then please follow the web link below.

UPDATE JUNE 2011 - this FK-12 Comet is now SOLD

Steve

Aero 2011 - FK-12 Comet

FK Lightplanes displayed all their latest aircraft versions at the Aero 2011 trade show last week ( April 2011 ) including the FK-9 ELA and the FK-14 Le Mans.

Among the aircraft exhibited at Friedrichshafen, Germany was this new FK-12 Comet believed to be c/n 098. The aircraft was transported in by road from the FK assembly line at Krosno, Poland and returned there after the show for final completion.


Comet # 100 will be with us soon !

Steve

Comet #048 now in France

FK-12 Comet c/n 048 was built by the FK factory in 2002 and delivered new to a German owner registered as D-MRJD. The Comet was painted white & red.



In 2009 the aircraft was advertised for sale with approx 320 flight hours - by July 2009 the aircraft had been sold to a new owner in France registered as "86-IA" with radio callsign F-JRBC.

This Comet has also received some additions to its paint scheme - it is now marked "48" on the rear fuselage and the rudder now has a red & white pattern.

Thanks to "F-JRBC" for sending me this FK-12 Comet news update.


Steve

Inverted FK-12 Comet - Upside down testing in Italy

I'd like to thank Fausto for sending me the photos below and the news about his FK-12 Comet in Italy c/n 066.

The Rotax 912 engine has been modified to allow inverted flight - the images below show the testing process in progress with the FK-12 Comet upside down in a test rig.

Engine running

Good luck with the testing process and please let us all know how your flight trials progress.


Steve

Comet - Special Edition - Update

The very first FK-12 Comet Special Edition #1 first flew as a test prototype in February 2010 - now 12 months later aircraft #2 and #3 are ready for customer delivery.

The photo above shows  FK-12 Comet Special Edition #1 F-JRLQ, #2 D-MYGS and #3 F-JSKR at Speyer, Germany in January 2011.

All three aircraft later departed for a formation fly past.


Steve

New Comet N452JH displayed at Sebring Expo Jan 2011

Hansen Air Group were able to exhibit there newly delivered FK-12 Comet at the recent Light Sport Expo held at Sebring, Florida, USA in January 2011.

Their brand new Comet is c/n 094 registered as N452JH - the aircraft is painted in an attractive white/yellow/grey colour scheme with side code "64".

The aircraft will shortly be fully re-assembled by Hansen Air Group at their base in Kennesaw, Georgia, with the intention of achieving its first test flight in the USA during February 2011.


Steve

New Comet for the USA

Hansen Air Group will shortly take delivery of a brand new FK-12 Comet - this is Comet c/n 094. The aircraft is currently at sea en route to the port of Savannah, Georgia by shipping container. This Comet will be registered as N452JH.

The aircraft will have the standard Rotax engine - Hansen Air Group plan to order a second new FK-12 Comet in due course which will be powered by the new Lycoming LSA engine.

N452JH will be the second Comet in the USA. The first was N5102J c/n 064 delivered to the USA in 2006 and which is believed to operate in the Florida area.

For more information about Hansen Air Group see their website via the link below

Link to Hansen Air Group


Steve

Smoking Comets - Leo and Guido

The link below shows a good video of FK-12 Comets D-MSLK and OO-F77 flown by Leo K and Guido Q at the Fly In at Monchsheide in September 2010.

Both aircraft have smoke systems fitted to enhance the display.

D-MYLG - Comet c/n 010 - a brief history

I have recently received a very interesting short history of FK-12 Comet D-MYLG from Rick the proud owner. 

This Comet was supplied in May 1998 as a B&F Technik factory built kit, 80% complete.

Rick and his brother spent almost 1,200 hours assembling the aircraft and by October 1999 the Comet was complete.  The weather was not good and Rick had to wait until a calm day in January 2000 to make the maiden flight lasting 20 minutes.
Rick had started his flying career with gliders and then motorgliders before learning to flying ultralight aircraft. 

The Comet is powered by a Rotax 912 UL 80 HP engine - the original 40 litre fuel tank has been replaced by a larger 58 litre tank.  Rick's airplane is open cockpit, he has no cosy canopy.

Rick is the only pilot to have flown D-MYLG and over the past 10 years this aircraft has flown approximatley 260 flight hours. This Comet operates from an airfield in the Ulm region.

Comet D-MYLG has factory supplied undercarriage leg covers something rarely seen on the FK-12.

Being a former glider pilot Rick has added a FLARM ( Flight Alarm ) warning indicator to his aircraft- this equipment is commonly fitted to gliders. The FLARM device will detect and warn the pilot of any other FLARM equipped aircraft or gliders in his vicinity and give a simple position indicator - Comet D-MYLG is based in an area with a lot of glider activity and Rick finds this equipment can be a useful flight safety aid.

 

Another interesting feature is the tail wheel and tow bar - this makes moving the aircraft on the ground much easier for one person.

The joy of flying with an open cockpit  - enjoy your flight "Biggles".

FK Lightplanes are once again offering the FK-12 Comet as a factory supplied kit - see link below


Link to FK Lightplanes FK-12 Comet "kit" for 2010


Steve

OO-GI2 - new colour scheme

FK-12 Comet OO-G12 c/n 057 was seen in October 2010 at Hannut-Avernas wearing a new colour scheme. This Comet was built from a factory supplied kit and was originally based at the ULM Oleronais club in France registered as "17-FK".

In 2008 this aircraft was sold to Belgium  and is now based at Hannut airfield. The new colour scheme includes "FK-12 Comet" titles next to the cockpit plus a checkered rudder - note that the Belgian registration is presented as "OOG-12" rather than the more normal "OO-G12"

To see the previous colour scheme please click below


OO-G12 in 2009


I'd like to thank Luc Wittemans for supplying the photo.
 
Steve in UK

1,000+ hour Comet and Comet pilot

I have recently been in email contact with Comet pilot Wigbert Rippert - Wigbert is the owner of FK-12 Comet D-MOJE construction number ( werknummer ) 004.

This Comet aircraft was originally purchased as a kit from B&F - after assembly the first flight took place in June 1998. Wigbert bought the aircraft from a previous owner in 2000 when the aircraft had flown just 35 flight hours. He started his flying career flying gliders before flying and competing with hang gliders and later  flying motorised hang gliders.

Wigbert has now flown more than 1,000 flight hours in his Comet - congratulations on this great achievement.

Comet D-MOJE is based in the Bayern region and is painted in a distinctive blue and yellow USAAC type colour scheme.

Are they anymore pilots with 1,000+ Comet flight hours - let me know



Steve

D-MTBT - a Comet in North Rhine-Westphalia

I'd like to thank Christoph B for supplying me a jpeg photo of his FK-12 Comet D-MTBT c/n 033 - this is the first photo I've seen of D-MTBT.

Christoph bought this Comet from the previous owner in October 2008 - the aircraft is based at Siegerland airport ( EGDS ) near Siegen.

I am always pleased to receive jpeg photos of FK-12 Comet aircraft to feature on this Comet Blog.


Steve in UK

FK-12 Comet video - watch FK-12 Comet Race I-A329 fly

The link below shows a good video of Italian FK-12 Comet registration I-A329 flying in its lovely "Comet Race" colour scheme - click on the link below,







Thanks to Luigi of AVIEMA for this information

Steve

FK-12 Comet c/n 086 - Update

I've recently received the photo below which shows FK-12 Comet c/n 086 in production at the FK Protech factory at Krosno in September 2010 - this aircraft will be powered by an EPA Power uprated Rotax engine.

The aircraft will be delivered to a customer in Italy at the end of October 2010 and might be painted in an attractive blue and orange colour scheme.


Steve

Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

Hi,

I've created a new Yahoo Group called the Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

I hope it will allow members to ask research and historical questions about light aircraft, microlight aircraft, ULM, gliders and autogyros - for example,


How many PZL 104 Wilga 2000 aircraft were built ?


What is the construction number of FK-12 Comet D-MICI


What happened to the Slovakian Tecnam Sierra S5-PIS ?

Currently discuss Flight Design CT construction numbers / MSN / werknummer on LADEX



I know that many aviation enthusiasts and aircraft historians have a wealth of knowledge about their favourite aircraft types - specialist knowledge that could really help someone with only a passing interest in a particular aircraft type or aircraft manufacturer  - knowledge is a two way street and I hope very much that all members can both learn and share on this group.

If you want to join please visit the link below and briefly tell me your own area of interest with light aircraft - thanks

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LADEX_GROUP/


Steve in UK

New Comet delivered to Portugal

FK-12 Comet c/n 091 was delivered to Eduardo C from Portugal in September 2010.

Eduardo and his son took delivery of the aircraft at the FK centre at Speyer, Germany before flying the new aircraft to Portugal, routing via


Speyer-->Semur    LFGQ

Semur-->Libourne   LFDI

 

Libourne-->Biarritze   LFBZ - Overnight stop

             

Next day

 

Biarritze-->Matilla de los Caños  LETC

 

Matilla-->Alqueidão, Portugal

Congratualtions to Eduardo and thanks for sharing this news about Comet D-MLEC.



Steve

Comet Pair

I'd like to thank Leo Kraus for supplying a copy of the photo below showing a pair of "smoking" Comets at the recent Fly In at Marburg, Germany.

 Leo is piloting the comet on the left D-MSLK - Guiod Quetch is flying the Comet on the right OO-F77.

I'd like to thank H W Gsaenger for the original photo.


Regards

Steve in UK

D-MVCW - A Tale of Two Comets

In August 2010 I received an email from Pascal C telling me that he had just taken delivery of FK-12 Comet c/n 083 which was previously registered as D-MVCW. He sent me some photos of it showing it already painted with its new French registration letters.

One day later I received some reports from the large Fly In at Tannheim - Tankosh 2010 - among the aircraft noted at this event was FK-12 Comet D-MVCW ! 

This all seemed rather odd, I wondered if perhaps the D-MVCW at Tankosh 2010 was a misreading for another Comet that has a very similar registration D-MCVW.

I'd like to thank Grahame Bann, Nigel Hitchman and David Haines for sending me jpeg photos of D-MVCW taken at Tankosh 2010.

At first glance these photos showed an aircraft that looked identical to D-MVCW c/n 083, however this was now living in the south of France !

Closer inspection showed that D-MVCW at Tankosh 2010 was not identical to the D-MVCW that appeared at Tankosh the previous year in 2009 - take a look below.

The above photo shows D-MVCW at Tankosh 2009 - this is FK-12 Comet c/n 083.

The photo above shows D-MVCW at Tankosh 2010 - almost identical but not 100% identical. The most obvious difference is the white propeller hub and propeller - in addition look at the spacing of the 4 yellow stars on the engine cowling - also note that the blue wavy line along the fuselage is a little bit lower below the cockpit, for example the upper wing struts no longer pass through the blue wavy line. I think the undercarriage wheel spats are different too.

The mystery of the "new" D-MVCW at Tankosh 2010 was solved by Chris Vaughan who spoke to the pilot who confirmed that this was a brand new Comet delivered just a couple of weeks previously and has c/n 092- so this current aircraft is D-MVCW(2).

If you look at the previous story on this blog you can see photos of the original D-MVCW(1) with its new French markings "11-IJ" still in the yellow/white/blue colour scheme.

Thanks to the many Blog readers who helped resolve this Tale of Two Comets.


Steve