Wednesday 22 February 2012

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

Wednesday 1 February 2012

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

Saturday 28 January 2012

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

Friday 27 January 2012

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





Friday 20 January 2012

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

Monday 12 December 2011

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


Wednesday 30 November 2011

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


Tuesday 15 November 2011

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

Thursday 3 November 2011

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

Wednesday 19 October 2011

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

Wednesday 21 September 2011

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

Tuesday 13 September 2011

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

Monday 12 September 2011

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 

Thursday 8 September 2011

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

Monday 4 July 2011

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






Wednesday 15 June 2011

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

Monday 6 June 2011

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





Wednesday 4 May 2011

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

Friday 22 April 2011

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

Sunday 17 April 2011

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

Tuesday 1 February 2011

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

Monday 31 January 2011

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

Saturday 29 January 2011

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

Friday 7 January 2011

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

Sunday 21 November 2010

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.




Saturday 30 October 2010

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

Tuesday 26 October 2010

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

Thursday 21 October 2010

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

Wednesday 20 October 2010

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

Friday 15 October 2010

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

Thursday 7 October 2010

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

Saturday 2 October 2010

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

Friday 24 September 2010

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


Saturday 18 September 2010

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

Thursday 9 September 2010

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

Tuesday 7 September 2010

A Comet for Pascal - Summer 2010

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

Monday 2 August 2010

FK-12 Comet at Baialupo in Italy

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

Friday 30 July 2010

Comet Race complete in Italy - July 2010

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