FK12 Comet biplane

New Comets - Two new Comets for USA coming soon

2012-02-01T16:56:00.000Z

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.

Steve

FK-12 Comet - Video Review by Hansen Air Group

2012-01-28T11:57:00.000Z

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

2012-01-27T10:08:00.001Z

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

2012-01-20T19:23:00.000Z

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

2011-12-12T08:40:00.001Z

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

2011-12-01T14:21:00.000Z

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

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 - 100 - 100 - 100 - 100 - 100 Congratulations FK
101
102 - USA - shipped Jan 2012
103 - USA - shipped Jan 2012

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

2011-11-30T15:27:00.001Z

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

2011-11-15T17:17:00.008Z

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

2011-11-03T19:24:00.000Z

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

2011-10-19T19:44:00.003+01:00

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 !

2011-09-21T12:07:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-13T21:23:00.009+01:00

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

2011-09-12T16:32:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-08T09:31:00.001+01:00

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 !

2011-09-08T09:27:00.000+01:00

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

2011-07-04T14:52:00.000+01:00

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

2011-06-15T21:02:00.000+01:00

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

2011-06-06T08:50:00.004+01:00

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

2011-05-04T08:25:00.001+01:00

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

2011-04-22T08:30:00.001+01:00

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

2011-04-17T19:14:00.001+01:00

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

2011-02-01T10:58:00.000Z

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

2011-01-31T09:13:00.000Z

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

2011-01-29T13:10:00.002Z

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

2011-01-07T18:54:00.000Z

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

2010-11-21T11:54:00.001Z

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

2010-10-30T10:37:00.003+01:00

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

2010-10-26T21:52:00.001+01:00

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

2010-10-21T13:38:00.000+01:00

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

2010-10-20T15:09:00.001+01:00

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

2010-10-15T10:16:00.003+01:00

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

2010-10-07T09:56:00.005+01:00

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

2010-10-02T11:58:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-24T15:47:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-18T12:19:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-09T09:17:00.000+01:00

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

A Comet for Pascal - Summer 2010

2010-09-07T17:57:00.000+01:00

I was very pleased to receive an email from Pascal C of France this week - Pascal has recently taken delivery of a FK-12 Comet.

The aircraft is c/n 083 built in 2009 and was previously in Germany as D-MVCW.

Pascal took delivery of his Comet on 7th August 2010 - the aircraft is now registered in France with Department Registration "11-IJ" and is based in the south of France in the Toulouse area.

Pascal flies with the French Air Force as a Mirage 2000 pilot and now in his spare time ( Le Weekend....) he can now enjoy his new Comet.

Pascal, thank you for sharing this news with us.

Steve

FK-12 Comet at Baialupo in Italy

2010-08-02T09:15:00.000+01:00

Another Comet arrives in Italy - I would like to thank Claudio for the news about his new FK-12 Comet registration I-A363.

The aircraft is based at the airfield of Baialupo just to the north of Cassano d'Adda not far from Milan, Italy.

For more information about the airfield at Baialupo please visit their website below

http://www.baialupo.com/web/

Steve

Comet Race complete in Italy - July 2010

2010-07-30T09:05:00.002+01:00

The painting of FK-12 Comet # 085 is now complete. This aircraft is the first to be painted in the "Comet Race" colour scheme designed by Aircraft Studio Design and Aviema of Italy.

The finished aircraft looks fantastic.

A second FK-12 Comet will be painted in an orange/blue "Comet Race" colour scheme later in 2010

LINK to Aviema - B&F FK agent in Italy below

http://www.aviema.it/home.html

LINK to Aircraft Studio Design below

http://www.aircraftstudiodesign.com/new/eng/index.php

Steve

"Comet Angel" D-MEJH visits the UK

2010-07-12T18:13:00.002+01:00

Every summer the superb Flying Legends warbird display at Duxford, UK attracts visiting aircraft and pilots from Europe. Many of these land at the nearby airfield of Fowlmere.

This year among the visitors to Fowlmere was FK-12 Comet D-MEJH c/n 70. I'd like to thank Ken Ede for supplying the photo below - note that this Comet now has female artwork and a name "Comet Angel" just behind the cockpit.

UPDATE - August 2010 - Hans-Peter the owner of Comet D-MEJH has sent this close up photo showing the "Comet Angel" artwork on his FK-12 - many thanks

Steve

Accident - Comet F-JZKB

2010-07-05T15:33:00.001+01:00

On 2nd July 2010 French FK-12 Comet F-JZKB c/n 74 was destroyed in a fatal accident just after take off from the airfield at Errouville in the Department of Meurthe-et-Moselle ( Dept 54 ) in north eastern France.

The two occupants were sadly killed.

My condolences to the family and friends of the occupants.

More information via the WWW link below

http://www.republicain-lorrain.fr/fr/GRDC_URWeb_Detail.aspx?iCategorieRedactionnelle=79&iURWeb=3425577

Steve

USA - FK-12 Comet coming soon

2010-06-28T13:40:00.001+01:00

Hansen Air Group of Kennesaw, Georgia have a new FK-12 Comet on order for delivery later in 2010.

The aircraft will operate as a demonstrator aimed at the Special Light Sport Aircraft ( SLSA ) market sector. Ultimately they plan to operate this aircraft fitted with the new Lycoming LSA engine.

For more information contact Air Hansen Group via

http://www.hansenairgroup.com/index.html

This will be the second FK-12 Comet in the USA - the first being N5102J c/n 064 which was delivered in 2006.

Steve

Comet in Italy

2010-06-24T10:26:00.003+01:00

News from Italy.

FK-12 Comet c/n 085 has now arrived in Italy. This aircraft is painted white and yellow. The full final artwork has still to be applied - the photo below shows c/n 085 at Ozzano, Italy.

This Comet will eventually receive the "Comet Race" colour scheme shown below - this artwork has been designed by Aircraft Studio Design of Italy.

NOTE - the design for this Comet colour scheme and artwork belongs to Aircraft Studio Design and Aviema ( the FK-12 Comet agent in Italy ). Please contact them directly for more information - thank you.

LINK to Aviema - B&F FK agent in Italy below

http://www.aviema.it/home.html

LINK to Aircraft Studio Design below

http://www.aircraftstudiodesign.com/new/eng/index.php

Thanks to Luigi and Giovanni for this news.

Steve

New French Comet seen at Coulommiers - Voisins

2010-06-15T09:19:00.003+01:00

Seen recently at Coulommiers - Voisins airfield near Paris, France was a FK-12 Comet with the French registration 77-APO, this is a new registration for my FK-12 historical data.

Je serais très intéressé d'entendre d'un des pilotes français et les propriétaires de la FK-12 Comète - s'il vous plaît envoyez-moi un e-mail - Je vous remercie.

The aircraft was blue and yellow - this aircraft may be previously have been French 17-RB.

If you have more information about Comet 77-APO or a jpeg photo then please do let me know - thank you.

Thanks to Paul Carr.

Steve

Comet D-MOVE "moves" to France

2010-06-15T09:12:00.001+01:00

FK-12 Comet D-MOVE has recently been sold to a new owner in France. This Comet is c/n 43 and was built in 2001. The aircraft was painted all yellow with a black "12" logo when operating as D-MOVE.

See Photo of D-MOVE in 2009

If you can help me with details of the new French Dept registration for this aircraft or a jpeg photo of it in France then please contact me - thank you.

Email Steve

Thanks to Ken Ede.

Steve

FK-12 Comet c/n 2 D-MVML

2010-05-24T12:28:00.004+01:00

I would like to thank pilot and owner Johannes Seidl for the following information about the history of his Comet D-MVML c/n 2 ( who can tell me please the fate of Comet c/n 1 D-MPLI ?? )

D-MVML started life as a B&F factory supplied kit - the kit was built in 1998 and was fully assembled by 1999. The first flight of this aircraft took place in May 2000 at Dankern.

Johannes bought the Comet secondhand in 2006 from a flight training school - at the time of purchase this aircraft had some minor damage to the wing tips and the bottom of the rudder. He decided to install a new Jabiru 3330 engine into the airframe and also replaced the undercarriage with a wider span undercarriage supplied by the aircraft manufacturing firm Extra. Test flying started in May 2007.

Johannes had the aircraft completely overhauled by B&F Protech at Krosno in Poland between November 2008 and April 2009 - the photo below shows the aircraft after the overhaul with the Jabiru engine and wider undercarriage span.

So far this aircraft has now flown approximatley 250 flight hours with almost 100 flight hours on the Jabiru engine. The aircraft operates from an airfield near Cologne.

Johannes says " The Jabiru is a fantastic engine with the characteristics and sound of a "big" biplane. The torque is very high and the rpm is much lower than a Rotax. Cruising with 2600 Rpm is very relaxed flying (About 98 kt/ 18L per minute fuelconsumption). "

A new more aerodynamic cockpit windscreen will be fitted later in 2010.

D-MVML features in the Youtube video link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpIa25IyIoI&feature=related

Thanks Johannes for sharing the life story of your FK-12 Comet.

Steve

Swiss FK-12 Comet Project c/n 82

2010-05-11T11:43:00.003+01:00

I'd like to thank Urs Spuler of Switzerland for providing news about FK-12 Comet c/n 82.

Urs took delivery of this FK-12 Comet factory supplied kit aircraft in summer 2007 - the photo below shows the fuselage frame of Comet c/n 82 on the roof of his car at the FK Protech production facility at Krosno, Poland ready to start the journey home to Switzerland.

Urs is building his Comet in the garage of his home and he is hoping to have it ready to fly by 2012.

This will be the first Comet in Switzerland.

More details about this Comet kit aircraft project can be found via the links below

Photo Report Page 1

Photo Report Page 2

Photo Report Page 3

Good luck with the project Urs and I look forward to seeing more photos in the future.

Steve

FK-12 Comet - c/n 8

2010-05-06T15:18:00.000+01:00

I understand that FK-12 Comet c/n 8 has recently been sold on to a new owner near Paris, France.

This Comet was previously based near La Rochelle, France in Dept 17 as "17-RB" painted in a yellow and blue colour scheme and carried the name "Angels' Spirit".

Photo Link to "17-RB" as "Angel's Spirit"

If you can help with the new French Dept registration / ID for this aircraft please let me know - Thank you.

Steve

Request for your help- can you help ?

2010-04-23T13:29:00.003+01:00

Can you help to complete the missing details in the FK-12 Comet production list shown on this Blog ?

I would be very pleased to learn more about the following FK-12 Comets

Construction Number / Werknummer

3

11

13

28

68

71

78

80

81

I am sure that some of the above aircraft will be related to the following aircraft registration - these are FK-12 Comet aircraft that have flown over recent years but for which I do not know the construction number / werknummer - can you help provide the c/n of the following Comets please ?

French 25-UA

French 28-BI
French 29-UT

French 34-ZJ
French 73-KD
French 74-RI
French 77-ALK

German D-MQAX
German D-MICI

All help welcomed - Thank you

Steve in UK

FK-12 Comet for sale

2010-04-14T10:03:00.001+01:00

November 2009 - Holger Wiedenmann is offering his FK-12 Comet for sale - the aircraft c/n 061 currently registered in Germany as D-MSWH.

UPDATE 14.4.10 - this aircraft has now been SOLD

Jean-Pierre flies his FK-12 Comet to Morocco

2010-04-08T13:44:00.006+01:00

Morocco - The view from the cockpit

Jean-Pierre has sent me a great news story - he has just returned from an Air Rallye tour flying from France to Morocco via Spain. For the expedition he flew in his yellow FK-12 Comet c/s F-JFKR flying 45 flight hours over a two week period.

FK-12 Comet F-JFKR in Morocco 2010

Jean-Pierre says "My route was Vendee - Biarritz LFBZ then in Spain : Lumbier (ULM site near Pamplona), Casarrubios del Monte LEMT near Madrid, Medina Sidonia in Andalusia (Customs facilities) and then in Morocco : Tanger, Casablanca Tit Mellil and Essaouira, beginning of the Rally.

No problem with dust (I brought a new air filter just in case) nor hot weather : March is a good timing. We had to be carefull about some runway conditions (gravel...) as we landed in the middle of nowhere, on some strips in the country not available outside the Rally. And also with some wind conditions : 25 knots crosswind at Tantan in the south (I landed on the taxiway... into the wind) for example, and also at Tanger and Casarrubios on the way back. As you know, the FK12 is not the best aeroplane for strong crosswind...

I had no problem at all with F-JFKR. I had just performed a 50 hours inspection before departure and now I have the 100 hours inspection to do ! F-JFKR has 2 wing tanks which add 30 liters more of mogas and I flew at 4.300 rpm at 150 kms/h and less than 13 liters per hour. ""

More details via the link below ( French language )

http://www.grandsudevasion.com/

Congratulations to Jean-Pierre for this great flight

Steve

FK-12 Comet with EPAPOWER engine

2010-04-02T13:18:00.004+01:00

Giovanni in Italy tells me that he is very excited about his new build FK-12 Comet which he hopes to receive in May 2010.

The aircraft is current under final assembly and will be fitted with an uprated Rotax engine modified by EPAPOWER of Italy - the engine will feature 1,500 cc with electronic injection giving approx 120 HP for take off and 100 HP in flight.

The aircraft will be based at a small airfield near Saronno in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Visit the EPAPOWER website via the link below

http://www.epapower.com/website/index.php/sportaviodivision

With thanks to Giovanni for this FK-12 news story.

Steve

FK-12 Comet Special Edition - magazine report

2010-03-25T08:41:00.003Z

The German magazine " Flugel Das Magazin " has published a short report on the new FK-12 Comet Special Edition - a copy of the magazine report in German can be seen on the FK Lightplanes website via the link below.

http://www.fk-leichtflugzeuge.de/Downloads/Fluegel_1_2010_CometSL.pdf

Steve

FK - New agent dealer in Spain - Espana

2010-03-09T19:23:00.004Z

FK have appointed a new agent in Spain for the FK-12 Comet, FK-9 and FK-14 called Air Marugan - FK Spain

The link below will take you to their new website for Spain - Espana

http://www.fkspain.com/

Steve

FK-12 "Ski Comet" !

2010-03-08T08:41:00.007Z

I'd like to thank Thomas Hopferwieser for sending me the photo below. The photo shows FK-12 Comet D-MKKJ ( c/n 77 ) operating with attached skis through the snow at Kufstein / Langkampfen ( LOIK ) in the Tyrol region of Austria.

This is the first photo I've seen showing the Comet flying with skis fitted - thank you.

There are more photos of the FK-12 Comet being fitted with skis on the WWW link below

http://www.grey-owl-web.de/pageID_2801616.html

Compare this aircraft with the FK-12 Comet on water floats

http://fk12comet.blogspot.com/2009/03/comet-returns-to-germany.html

The skis are made by Grey Owl in Germany - for more details see

http://www.graue-eule.de/

http://www.grey-owl-web.de/

WWW for Kufstein / Langkampfen ( LOIK ) airfield

http://www.fliegerclub-kufstein.at/fliegerclub/

Steve

Comet Special Edition - First Flight !

2010-03-03T17:41:00.006Z

Good News - The prototype FK-12 Comet Special Edition aircraft made it first flight on 12th February 2010 at Speyer airfield in Germany as F-JRLQ - the test pilot was Hans Peter Horle.

Please see the link below for more details of this first flight from FK Lightplanes

http://www.fk-leichtflugzeuge.de/Downloads/CometSL_project_update_Feb2010.pdf

Steve

Big Beautiful Doll - Comet D-MYVO

2010-01-11T19:23:00.003Z

FK-12 Comet D-MYVO c/n 17 is based in Italy and flies from the airfield at Fano - LIDF ( between Rimini and Ancona, on the Adriatic coast ). The photo above shows this Comet with the name and artwork "Big Beautiful Doll" - lovely.

With thanks to Luigi Grasselli of Aviema for supplying the above information and photos.

Steve

FK-12 Comet Special Edition - Roll out at Speyer

2009-12-19T18:38:00.007Z

The first example of the new FK-12 Comet Special Edition was rolled out at the B&F Technik factory in Speyer, Germany on Friday 18th December 2009.

The aircraft features many new features including

New Rudder, New Elevator, new engine mount, new cowling, new aileron system, carbon fibre rear wing spar, instrument panel-layout with Dynon avinics, constant speed prop from Neuform, new main gear spring and main wheel fairings, wingtips, and in the single seater version a completly new one piece canopy, ventillation inlets for the cockpit, and a luxury leather interior plus a great new external colour scheme.

The photos below were supplied by B&F

The first FK-12 Comet Special Edition "1" with French registration F-JFAL

This photo shows the new single piece canopy and the wingtips on the FK-12 Comet Speical Edition

The Special Edition Comet features a wider undercarriage and main wheel fairings plus a constant speed propellor from Neuform.

The first Special Edition Comet will go to France with the registration F-JFAL.

Thanks to B&F for providing these photos

More details via

http://www.comet-special-limited.com/index.html

Steve

FK-12 Comet Special Edition - A New Comet

2009-12-11T09:50:00.006Z

B&F working with G2B Consulting are currently building a batch of 10 Special Edition Comets.

The FK-12 Comet Special Edition will feature,

A Rear Wingspar made of Carbon Fibre for increased strength

Revised Tailplane Shape

New Aileron Design

New Streamlined Canopy

A Widened Main Undercarriage

High Quality Cockpit Interior

Optional Smoke System

Special Edition Paint Colour Scheme

This photo shows the new Carbon Fibre rear wingspar on the FK-12 Comet Special Edition

The first FK-12 Comet Special Edition is due to be rolled out at Speyer, Germany on 18th December 2009.

For more details please contact

info@fk-leichtflugzeuge.de

or visit

http://www.fk-leichtflugzeuge.de/Downloads/Comet_limited_project_description.pdf

or visit

http://www.comet-special-limited.com/index.html

Steve

New FK-12 Comet almost ready for Italy

2009-12-11T09:15:00.006Z

This photo shows one of two new build FK-12 Comets currently under construction for Italian customers - the photo shows the fuselage of Comet c/n 085 at the B&F assembly factory at Krosno, Poland ( FK ProTech ) before the engine has been fitted.

The two Italian Comets will be imported by Italian B&F delaer "Aviema" of Rovato in early 2010.

Steve

D-MOKU flying in a summer sky

2009-11-11T19:41:00.005Z

I'd like to thank pilot Philipp Jahn from Austria for sending me this lovely photo of FK-12 Comet D-MOKU high in the summer sky over Vienna, Austria taken in summer 2009.

FK-12 Comet - New Agent in Italy

2009-11-09T20:50:00.005Z

Aviema are the new B&F FK-12 Comet dealer in Italy.

Located at Rovato near Brescia, Aviema have two new build FK-12 Comets arriving in Italy very soon.

Please contact owner Mr Luigi Grasselli for more information via their WWW website

External LINK to Aviema

974-KX - Comet in the Ile de la Réunion

2009-10-14T18:53:00.004+01:00

I wish to thank Olivier Sam-Caw Freve for sending me a photo of the lovely Comet below

This Comet has the French Dept registration 974-KX and operates from the tropical Reunion Islands in the Indian Ocean - I love the bright orange colour scheme. Olivier confirms this aircraft is construction number # 76 and that the radio callsign is F-JMEA.

Bullingen Fly In - Comet gathering

2009-09-05T08:31:00.002+01:00

The "Fly - In" at Bullingen airfield in Belgium was held over the weekend of the 1st & 2nd of August 2009.

It attracted at least 14 different FK-12 Comet aircraft - a fantastic gathering of Comets and all in beautiful summer sunshine too.

D-MSLK and OO-F77

I'd like to thank Freddy Ceulemans and Leo Kraus for this report and photos from 1st August - many thanks.

The FK-12 Comets at Bullingen ( EBBN ) were

OO-F77 ( Belgian )
F-JWXP ( French )

plus a large number from Germany

D-MEJH
D-MFKD
D-MLWM
D-MOJE
D-MOVE
D-MPHK
D-MSLK
D-MSSS
D-MVCW
D-MVML
D-MWEW
D-MYLG

The following photos from Bullingen have been kindly supplied by Freddy Ceulemans.

F-JWXP - a "new" Comet - I think this is c/n 9 the former D-MRKL

D-MYLG c/n 10

D-MSLK c/n 21 wears a "Swiss Bucker" type colour scheme

D-MVML - c/n 2 an early historic Comet

D-MOVE arriving at Bullingen

D-MOJE c/n 4 another veteran Comet painted in a pre WW2 USAAC type colour scheme

Video of Comets at Bullingen - includes some Comet "formation" flying too

German FK-12 Comet D-MOJE

2009-09-01T19:46:00.005+01:00

Thanks to Chris Vaughan for supplying this recent image of FK-12 Comet D-MOJE suspended from the hanger roof at Thalmassing-Waizenhofen airfield ( EDPW ) in the Bayern region of southern Germany taken in July 2009.

This aircraft is c/n ( werknummer ) 4 and was built in 1998 - it is painted in blue and yellow colour scheme with a red and white rudder to look like a 1930s USAAC type trainer aircraft.

Belgian FK-12 Comet OO-F67

2009-09-01T19:37:00.005+01:00

Thanks to Freddy Ceulemans for supplying this lovely photo of Belgian Comet OO-F67 taken at Avernas in August 2009. This Comet is c/n ( werknummer ) 20 and was built in 1999 as D-MPHM. It became OO-F67 in October 2007.

Comet returns to Germany

2009-08-26T10:30:00.000+01:00

FK-12 Comet construction number 061 has returned to Germany. This aircraft was delivered new to Poland in 2004 painted in an attractive red/white colour scheme as SP-YOA.

The picture above comes from the official B&F website - it shows this aircraft fitted with floats, this is the only "Float Comet" I've ever seen a photo of.

This aircraft has know been bought by an owner in Bavaria, Germany and he hopes to convert onto the FK-12 Comet ( without floats ) later in 2009.

UPDATE - November 2009

Thanks to Holder Wiedenmann for supplying the photo below of his Comet D-MSWH in June 2009 - this aircraft was previously registered as SP-YOA.

"Fly - In" at Büllingen ( EBBN ) in Belgium 1st and 2nd August 2009

2009-07-26T19:56:00.001+01:00

FK-12 owner and pilot Leo Kraus ( D-MSLK ) invites fellow FK-12 pilots to visit the "Fly - In" at Bullingen airfield on the 1st & 2nd of August 2009

The airfield is in the West of Belgium in the province of Liege not far from the German border.

More details about the "Fly -In" can be found at the following website

http://www.feuervogel.be/index.html

If you do fly your Comet to this "Fly- In" please send me a short report with photos of the FK-12 Comets - Many Thanks

Tannheim - Tannkosh 2009

2009-07-21T09:48:00.016+01:00

The big Fly In at Tannheim Germany took place in July 2009 - this years Tannkosh event attracted several FK-12 Comets including D-MUZZ which is a new addition to the FK-12 Fleet List.

Visiting were,

D-EZWO - the unique "E" reg Wankel Comet
D-MGFK
D-MOXL
D-MPHK
D-MSSS
D-MUZZ
D-MVCW
D-MWWE

D-EZWO - Wankel Rotary engine

D-MOXL at Tankosh

D-MPHK

D-MUZZ - believed to be c/n 056

D-MVCW under storm clouds at Tankosh 2009

As you can see from the photos the weather was not good - cold wet and windy over the weekend.

LINK to official TANNKOSH 2009 website

Many thanks to Freddy Ceulemans, Nigel Hitchman, Ray Fitton and Chris Vaughan for sending in these details and the above photos.

FK-12 Comet with Jabiru 3300 engine

2009-07-06T15:37:00.004+01:00

FK-12 Comet with Jabiru 3300 engine

Aerokurier Magazine of June 2006 ( ! ) reported the following relating to Comet D-MOBS.

""Andreras Lehmacher has equipped his FK 12 Comet with the six-cylinder Jabiru 3300 (120hp/88kW). The air sports aircraft office of the Deutscher Aero Club has awarded a Provisional Airworthiness Certification to the re-build, and the flight trials have been running for several weeks. It was clear after the first hours in the air that the Australian engine was a good fit for the agile biplane. It now climbs at 1,500ft/min at 120km/h, and at 2,400 rpm it advances at 155km/h."" with thanks to Aerokurier magazine.

UPDATE 1.9.09 - Andreras Lehmacer has contacted me and confirmed the above news item and also that two other Comets have now modified with Jabiru 3300 engines, these are D-MUZZ and D-MVML - Thanks to Andreras.

FK-12 Comet Production Resumes

2009-07-03T09:39:00.008+01:00

June 2009 - Good news from FK Lightplanes !

They have announced the restarting of FK-12 Comet kit production from Summer 2009, with limited production of factory built aircraft from Autumn 2009.

The factory has also just delivered a brand new FK-12 Comet to Finland registration OH-U601 - this is c/n 084

See this LINK for more details on the FK website

FK-12 Comet D-EZWO - video

2009-04-30T11:57:00.005+01:00

This Comet is c/n 37 and was built from a kit - it first flew in December 2006 at Mainz-Finthen in Germany.

This aircraft is powered by a Wankel rotary fuel injected fully aerobatic engine rather than the usual Rotax 912. In addition the aircraft has a Silence Aircraft 2 bladed automatic variable pitch propeller.

D-EZWO has been designed to operate with a MTOW of 520 Kg allowing full two seat operations with a full fuel load - because of this the aircraft could not be registered in the German microlight registration sequence of "D-M......" ( MTOW 450 Kg ) - the aircraft is as far as I know the one and only "D-E....." registerd FK-12 Comet.

I'd like to thank Hans-Jurgen Hundhausen for his help with information about the unique special FK-12 Comet D-EZWO.

New FK-12 Comet at Aero 2009 - D-MVCW

2009-04-10T17:19:00.007+01:00

Good to see that FK Lightplanes displayed new build FK-12 Comet D-MVCW at Friedrichshafen Aero 2009 last week.

See photo of D-MVCW on display at the trade show - click here

This is a new build aircraft with construction number 083 - the newest Comet I know of. With thanks to FK-Lightplanes for this information.

Italian FK-12 Comet

2009-04-09T10:52:00.005+01:00

I'd like to thank Fausto Tongiorgi for providing information and the photo below of his FK-12 Comet - this is the only Comet I know about with an Italian ( I-....... ) registration.

The aircraft is c/n 66 has been built from a kit and took Fausto about 18 months to build. His Comet first flew in 2006 and is based at Pontedera near Pisa in the Tuscany region.

Fausto many thanks for your help - Grazie

Do you have "news" about your FK-12 Comet - please let me know and I will post it here in the FK-12 Blog - Thanks

FK-12 Comet new T Shirt design

2009-02-20T20:10:00.005Z

New FK-12 Comet T Shirt

Hi Comet fans - I have produced a new T Shirt design featuring the FK 12 Comet - please take a look via the link below to view and order if you wish.

FK 12 Comet - T Shirt design - Click Here

FK-12 Comet OO-G20 - Happy new owners

2009-01-16T11:12:00.008Z

OO-G20 awaiting the application of its new registration markings

FK-12 Comet c/n 59 was recently bought by new owners in Belgium.

This Comet was originally factory built by B&F and first flew in 2003 and became registered with the French Dept registration "59-CHP".

"59-CHP" operated from the airfield at Baisy-Thy ( EBBY ) in Belgium ( many French registered ultralight aircraft are based in Belgium ).

The new owners are Johan and Geert and the aircraft is now registered in Belgium as OO-G20 and has flown approx 215 hours to date. They intend to base the aircraft at Wevelgem ( EBKT ) from April 2009.

I asked them to tell me a little more about their new aircraft

""We are two pilots that fly most of the time together with our different aircrafts. We bought it for this reason : I told already that I also have the Eurofox and the Eurostar and I dreamt about the millennium aircraft but I think this will never be available as an ultralight. Plane , so I wanted something that was beautiful to see and that gave a really satisfaction in flying art . Combined with the big demanding of piloting skill to be able to fly the FK 12, I really fell in love with this plane.

Sitting backwards, right in the middle, it gives you the feeling that you are flying an old warbird built in the millennium !

It is a well manoeuvrable plane with high stability qualities and has the possibility to be flown with a closed or open canopy : great !

And last but not least : the plane has good looks ; I do not know any double wing ultralight that looks even beautiful and aggressive.""

Many Thanks to Johan and Geert for sharing this FK-12 news with us.

July 2009 - With thanks to Freddy Ceulemans I can now add a more recent photo showing OO-G20 with its registration letters applied.

FK-12 Comet - Accident Report crash 14.8.2008

2008-12-27T19:09:00.003Z

Unfortunately I have to report another FK-12 accident report - this has been published in December 2008 by the German BFU authorities and related to FK-12 Comet c/n 042 - I believe this to be D-MQAX although I have no confirmation of this registration.

German BFU Accident Report - crash 14th August 2008 near Seligenstadt

Please Take Care - Fly Safely

Happy Christmas to all fans of the FK-12 Comet

2008-12-23T12:01:00.003Z

I hope you have a wonderful Xmas and best wishes to you all in 2009

If you have "news" about your Fk-12 Comet then please let me know and I will post it here

Kind Regards

Steve in UK

B&F press release - September 2008

2008-12-02T21:35:00.004Z

B&F press release announcing that production of the FK-12 Comet has been stopped in 9.08 and hopes to re-start in mid 2009 - more details in English and German on the link below

http://www.fk-leichtflugzeuge.de/Downloads/Info_Fk12_Comet_Fertigung2008.pdf

If you know any more about this please let us know - if you have taken delivery of an FK-12 Comet or an FK-12 Comet kit in 2008 please let me know - Thank You.

Accident Report - FK-12 Comet D-MOUT crashed 3.5.2008 - 3rd May 2008

2008-12-01T21:10:00.004Z

A summary report into the fatal crash of FK-12 Comet D-MOUT has been published by the BFU authority in Germany - the report is written in the German language.

http://www.bfu-web.de/cln_005/nn_223970/DE/Publikationen/Untersuchungsberichte/2008/Bericht__08__3X029__UL-FK12-Leuthau,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf/Bericht_08_3X029_UL-FK12-Leuthau.pdf

FK-12 Comet - Can you help ?

2008-10-05T16:26:00.000+01:00

I am trying to identify the construction number of a French FK-12 Comet - I have been in contact with the owner and he has identified this aircraft as having had three previous French registrations.

The aircraft was built in 1997/98 and is believed to have been the first FK-12 Comet sold in France - the registrations are

1) 28-BI - the aircraft was painted silver

2) 73-KD - the aircraft was painted silver with lots of advertising text - See Link B for photo

3) 77-ALK - the aircraft was re-painted light blue and yellow

4) 25-UA - the aircraft is still light blue and yellow

Here it is airborne over the Besançon region - thanks to C Alabouvette

My guess is that this aircraft is c/n 3 or maybe c/n 11 or c/n 13 - can you help resolve this query please ?

Tankosh 2008

2008-07-22T19:00:00.005+01:00

Fly In at Tankosh Germany 19th - 20th July 2008

I'd like to thank Freddy from Belgium for his report from this years "Tankosh" fly in - Unfortunately the number of visiting aircraft was reduced due to poor weather over much of Europe.

He saw 5 FK-12 Comets at Tankosh - D-MGFK, D-MIRK, D-MKKJ, D-MORE and D-MPHK.

Aircraft D-MKKJ is a new addition to the FK-12 Comet production listing ( see below ) and appears to be c/n 77 - thanks to Freddy for this photo

FK-12 Comet French "17-FK" - help please

2008-07-09T10:29:00.006+01:00

Hi

A "new" Comet was seen at Hannut in Belgium in 6.08 - this wears French registration "17-FK" - the Comet is yellow and wears "ULM Oleronais" titles - I have not heard of this FK-12 before.

Who can tell me the construction number ( c/n ) of this aircraft please ?

With thanks to Ken Ede for this report.

UPDATE #1 28.7.08 - ANSWER - I've been told that this aircraft is c/n 57 - Thanks to Christian in France

UPDATE #2 6.10.08 - Thanks to Freddy Ceulemans in Belgium for the news that this FK-12 Comet has now been registered on the Belgian aircraft register as OO-G12

New - FK-12 Comet Forum

2008-07-06T10:33:00.000+01:00

Hi,

I have had several requests from FK-12 pilots and owners to set up a FK-12 Comet Forum, to share and exchange information about this aircraft.

The current topic is about changing the regulator - please join in to learn more.

If you are interested in joining then please visit for more details

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FK12Comet/

Thanks

FK-12 Comet c/n 8 - new owner

2008-06-25T21:17:00.006+01:00

I'd like to thank Oliver Riche in France for telling me that he bought Comet c/n 8 in early 2008 - this aircraft was previously D-MRDM and is now registered in France, Dept 17 as 17-RB with a radio callsign of F-JXRK - He has named his aircraft "Angel's Spirit"

Thanks Oliver for providing this news update about FK-12 Comet c/n 8 - the picture above shows a happy Oliver flying over his Comet

FK-12 Comet OK-LUA-42 - Accident Report published

2008-06-24T14:15:00.002+01:00

The official report into the fatal accident of FK-12 Comet OK-LUA-42 has now been published. This aircraft crashed at Bydgoszcz Poland in August 2006.

The Polish language report suggests that the aircraft was overloaded by approx 58 Kg - the full report can be found via the link below

FK-12 Comet OK-LUA-42 Accident Report - Click through

Fatal accident - FK-12 Comet

2008-05-27T20:04:00.003+01:00

I am sad to report a recent fatal accident involving a FK-12 Comet D-MOUT. The pilot and passenger were killed near Leuthau, Bavaria, Germany on 3rd May 2008.

More details can be found on the link below

http://www.tz-online.de/de/aktuelles/bayern/artikel_38210.html

My condolences to all concerned.

D-EZWO - a special FK-12 Comet

2008-05-25T14:16:00.005+01:00

I'd like to thank Hans-Jurgen Hundhausen for providing some more information about the unique FK-12 Comet D-EZWO.

This Comet is c/n 37 and was built from a kit - it first flew in December 2006 at Mainz-Finthen in Germany.

This aircraft is powered by a Wankel rotary fuel injected fully aerobatic engine rather than the usual Rotax 912. In addition the aircraft has a Silence Aircraft 2 bladed automatic variable pitch propeller.

D-EZWO has been designed to operate with a MTOW of 520 Kg allowing full two seat operations with a full fuel load - because of this the aircraft could not be registered in the German microlight registration sequence of "D-M......" ( MTOW 450 Kg ) - the aircraft is as far as I know the one and only "D-E....." registerd FK-12 Comet.

The aircraft has flown approx 35 hours by May 2008.

So if you see this unique aircraft take a closer look as it an extra-ordinary FK-12 Comet !

FK-12 Comet - Thanks

2007-08-12T14:06:00.021+01:00

I'd like to thank the following pilots, aircraft dealers and aviation historians & enthusiasts for supplying information and photos about the FK-12 Comet

Peter-Raimo Günther - Austria
Oliver Kugler - Austria
Klaus Pichler - Austria,
Luc Wittemans - Belgium Freddy Ceulemans - Belgium
Christian - France,
Oliver Riche - France
Jean-Marie Le Doux - France
Emmanuel Boulanger - France
Olivier Sam-Caw Freve - Reunion Island
Jean Hily - Reunion Island
Jorg Turner - Germany
Hans-Peter Horle - Germany
Hans-Jurgen Hundhausen - Germany
Johannes Seidl - Germany
Leo Kraus - Germany
Hubert Gebler - Germany

Urs Spuler - Switzerland
Ken Ede - UK
Ray Fitton - UK
Tony Morris - UK
Paul Carr - UK

Regards

Steven May
UK

FK-12 Comet Production

2007-08-11T14:04:00.002+01:00

Welcome - This is a very simple Blog and will contain details of FK-12 Comet production. The FK-12 Comet is a very attractive ultralight sports biplane built by B&F at Speyer, Germany with component parts coming from Krosno, Poland.

The FK-12 Comet can be configured as either a two seater or a single seater with a choice of open air or enclosed canopies.

By the end of 2007 approx 80 examples had been built and examples can by found in many in many countries.

The information shown below has been gathered through my own research dealing with local civil aviation authorities, aviation publications and trawling the WWW for new info and contacts.

For each FK-12 Comet produced I am trying to tie up the construction number ( MSN or Werknummer ) with a specific aircraft registration - I have identified a number of FK-12 Comet registrations for which I do not yet have a confirmed construction number - if you can help resolve or correct any of the information shown here then please do get in touch.

Regards

Steven May
UK