Comet N452JH goes to Hawaii

Fancy living in Hawaii ?  Well FK-12 Comet N452JH ( c/n  #094 ) has left the shores of mainland USA for the exotic islands of Hawaii out in the Pacific.

Stunning scenery to be viewed from a beautiful biplane.





Steve

Comet #055 - First in The Balkans

Another "new country" for the FK-12 Comet.

Comet D-MARS was built in 2002 and operated from the airfield at Wiener-Neustadt ( LOXN ) Austria. I'd like to thank Dejan P for the news that he has now bought this Comet and this is the first Comet to be based in Macedonia and the first in the wider Balkans region.

 
The Comet is now based at the airfield of Malo Konjari - the photo above shows D-MARS at Malo Konjari. In a few weeks time this Comet will have a local Macedonian "Z3-....." registration.

Congratulations to Dejan - enjoy flying your Comet over the skies of Macedonia.




Steve

D-MDMC - Comet at Strausberg

FK-12 Comet D-MDMC was built in 2011 and was exhibited by FK Lightplanes on their trade exhibition stand at Aero 2011 held in Friedrichshafen as an unregistered complete aircraft.

I recently received an update about this Comet from Bernd D - he bought the aircraft in January 2013 and operates from the airfield at Strausberg ( EDAY ) which is approximately 35km to the East of Berlin. The Comet has now flown approx 70 flight hours.

The photo above shows Comet D-MDMC over Berlin - you can see the former Templehof airfield in the distance - Thanks to Bernd.

Link to the Strausberg ( EDAY ) airfield website


Steve

Comet - Accident in Belgium

Sad news - on Thursday 29th August Comet OO-F67 crashed during landing at the airfield at Hannut - Avernas. The pilot Arthur Moureau was killed.

In 2012 Arthur kindly sent me news about his Comet and also some photos of the new colour scheme he had just applied to OO-F67.

Condolences to his family and friends.



News link to Comet accident in Belgium on 29.8.13



Steve

Comet over the Indian Ocean - Isles Reunion

Several Comets have operated with Papangue ULM over the island of Reunion out in the Indian Ocean. The most recent is FK-12 Comet "974-MR" construction number #099. This was delivered in early 2012 - the video link below shows this aircraft doing aerobatics over Reunion - take a look and imagine you are there !

FK-12 Comet 974-MR photo courtesy Pierre Choukroun

More info on the Papangue ULM website



Steve

New FK-12 Comet delivered to Italy

March 2013 - A brand new FK-12 Comet has just been delivered to Pietro in Italy.  This Comet S2 is the first to feature a fuel injected Rotax 912iS engine and is painted in an attractive orange/white/black colour scheme with the side code "21".  The aircraft will be based in the Venice region of Italy.

 
I understand that this aircraft will be exhibited at the Aero 2013 trade show at Friedrichshafen in April 2013.

Thanks to Pietro for this news, congratulations on your new Comet and enjoy your aviation.

UPDATE  - this new 912iS powered Comet was exhibited at Aero 2013 at the end of April now wearing its new Italian registration I-B551.  

Steve

FK Lighplanes - Hansen Air Group - Renegade Light Sport

The following news update has recently been posted by the Hansen Air Group relating to the joint project to install the new Lycoming AEIO-233 engine into the FK-12 Comet over in the USA.


""We regret to inform you that FK Light Planes and Hansen Air Group have decided to terminate our business relationship with Renegade light Sport. They were contracted to design an engine mount and install Lycoming O-233 engines in the FK 12 Comet. The FK factory has determined that a factory designed engine mount and installation will better suit the needs of the customers. FK has several decades of aircraft design and manufacturing experience including more than tens years with the Comet alone. We believe that they will quickly produce a superior design. Standby for further updates.""

Readers of this FK-12 Comet Blog will recall that two new build FK-12 Comets ( c/n 102 and 103 ) arrived with Hansen in the USA in Jan 2012. 

Let's hope the new Lycoming engine gets airborne in an FK-12 Comet soon.


Steve

Lycoming Comet - Tests

Renegade Light Sports have recently posted a video on youtube showing the Lycoming IO-233-LSA engine during ground trials in December 2012 - congratulations to all involved - hopefully "first flight" soon.

Steve

Beautiful Comet Photo

Today I received a beautiful photo from Claudio in Italy - it's so good I wanted to share it with you all at Xmas.

Last chance checks before take off - the ploughed field behind emphasises an attractive rural airstrip in rolling countryside.  Claudio operates from a small airfield not too far from Milan. The photo shows Comet #53 registered as I-A363.

LINK to another great air-air photo of comet I-A363 here


Grazie Caludio.


Merry Christmas to all the FK-12 Comet fans arond the World.


Steve

From Reunion to France - Comet #49

This week I received an interesting email from Sébastien in France - he has just taken delivery of Comet #49 and this is now part of his fleet at SkyOuest base at the airfield at Ploermal-Loyat a few miles to the west of Rennes.

FK-12 Comet #49 F-JMBS back in France 2012

This Comet was originally built in 2002 and delivered to Papangue ULM based on the Reunion Isles ( Dept 974 ) far away in the Indian ocean.  The Comet was painted in a yellow and blue colour scheme and registered locally as "974-GJ" operating scenic flights over the volcanoes and tropical beaches of Renuion.

 FK-12 Comet #49 974-GJ in sunny Reunion 

In 2012 the Comet returned to France and as been renovated and repainted by the French FK dealer Innov'Air  

To contact SkyOuest use the link below


SkyOuest Website 





Steve

New FK-12 Comet registered in the USA

Two new Comets were imported into the USA earlier this year. The first of these c/n 102 has now been registered by Renegade Light Sport N647RL - Both aircraft are being fitted with the new Lycoming IO-233-LSA engine by Renegade at their Montana facility, this engine is designed for LSA aerobatic flight.

The photos above show the Lycoming engine installation on the FK-12 Comet  - once FAA paperwork is complete the aircraft will progress to flight trails.

More info on the web link below


Renegade Light Sports


Steve

FK-12 Comet - Flight review

Plane & Pilot magazine in the USA have posted an online flight review of the FK-12 Comet - take a look as they experience a Comet operated by Hansen Air Group over Florida, USA

read more on the link below


http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/aircraft/pilot-reports/comet/the-look-homeward-angel.html



Steve

A Comet arrives in Alsace

Today I had an email from Martin W a proud new Comet owner.  Martin recently bought a second hand FK-12 Comet. Before delivery the aircraft was overhauled and also repainted by FK Lightplanes at Speyer. Martin had his first solo flight in his new Comet on 4th May 2012 - congratulations!

This FK-12 will now be based at Vieux-Ferrette airfield ( LF6822 ) in the Haur-Rhin region of Alsace in eastern France ( near the Swiss border ). The Comet is now registered as F-JTOO.

External Link to Vieux-Ferrette airfield flight pattern


Enjoy your flying.

Steve

Aero 2012 Friedrichshafen - FK-12 Comet exhibit

Europes largest general aviation trade show "Aero 2012" took place last week at Friedrichshafen, Germany.

FK Lightplanes exhibited their range of varied aircraft, the FK-9, FK-14 and the FK-12 Comet biplane.

The Comet exhibited at Aero 2012 is a brand new build Comet S2 model registered D-MFKJ painted in an attractive yellow/white/black colour scheme with construction number 098.

FK Lightplanes recently delivered the 100th Comet.



Steve

Hansen Air Group exhibits Comet with Lycoming

Hansen Air Group have exhibited a FK-12 Comet fitted with the brand new Lycoming AEIO-233 engine at this years Sun N Fun aero trade show at Lakeland, Florida, USA.

The Lycoming AEIO-233 offers inverted flight allowing the Comet to be fully aerobatic in the LSA catergory.

Two Comets in the USA have recently had this new engine fitted by Renegade Light Sport  - flight trials will start shortly. 


Steve

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

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