Comet #4 - re-built and going strong

Comet #4 was built from a factory supplied kit and had its first flight in June 1998 painted in a distinctive blue/yellow "USAAC" type colour scheme with the registration D-MOJE.  

 

 D-MOJE seen in 2009

Over the years the aircraft has had a number of owners, including one who flew over 1,000 flight hours himself in D-MOJE. The aircraft has recently been re-built and now features a double canopy, strengthened undercarriage and a towing hook with a new white/blue colour scheme. D-MOJE is currently based in the Bavaria region of Germany and has flown over 1,950 flight hours in over 3,000 flights. Thanks to Hans P for this update.  

D-MOJE seen in 2021

Comet Duo

Many thanks to Henk Wadman for the following excellent shots of two Comets operating as a display pair together with smoke systems - D-MSLK ( s/n 021 ) and OO-F77 ( s/n 041 )  

Steve

Comet - New "Civilisation" colour scheme

I recently received some new photos from pilot Dejan P in Macedonia showing the new colour scheme on his FK-12 Comet.

The scheme has a civilisation theme - The port side shows the ancient Mayan people, the starboard side shows an ancient Egyptian theme. Both sides feature an astronomical comet flying across the sky an event that would have been viewed with wonder by these ancient civilisations. The airbrush painting was done by artist Kire Cvetkoski.

And here it is with the local Macedonian registration Z3-UA-005 applied

This Comet is c/n 055 and was previously D-MARS.

Many thanks to Dejan for sharing this Comet news.

Comet sun and fun in Carcassonne

Pilot Pascal sent me a weblink to a video of him flying his FK-12 Comet #083 over sunny southern France. Great scenery and lovely old towns - have a look via

Thanks Pascal, looks a lot of fun for you and your passengers.

New Comet #112

I was recently sent a photo of a brand new FK-12 Comet S2 - I understand this new Comet flies in Belgium with the French registration "16-TL".

The colour scheme was designed by Mirco Pecorari of AircraftStudioDesign.

This Comet is factory serial number 112, the highest production S/N that I am aware of at the moment.


Steve

Yet another Comet comes to France

Comet #107 has arrived in France. Built new in 2013 this Comet originally went to Italy as I-B551, this was the first Comet to be fitted with the Rotax 912iS engine.

This Comet has now been re-registered with French Dept registration "08-OC".

I'd like to thank Francois for telling me about his purchase of Comet #107.


Steve

Eight Comets visit the UK

A mini armada of eight FK-12 Comets flew to the UK last weekend flying into the airfield at Fowlmere near Cambridge. The Pilots and passengers flew to the UK to attend the Flying Legends warbird airshow held at nearby Duxford. Among the eight was the "Monster Comet" D-MXZZ

The Comets that flew to Fowlmere, UK were,

D-MCVW, D-MEJH, D-MOKU, D-MOND, D-MTAP, D-MVCW(2), D-MXZZ and OO-F77.

FK-12 Comet S2 D-MXZZ at Fowlmere UK 11.7.15

The Monster Comet is powered by a UL Power 350is engine uprated to produce approx 140HP. The engine is fully aerobatic with fuel injection. This machine first flew in October 2014 and is based at Giessen, Lutzellinden ( EDFL ). A second Monster Comet is currently in production.

Some info on the UL Power 350is engine here

See Youtube video below of the Monster Comet in action

Steve

Another Comet comes to France

With thanks to Denis I can provide an update on Comet #027. This FK-12 was originally registered in Germany as D-MTLW. I've never seen a photo of D-MTLW so if you have one please do get in touch.

This Comet has now been bought by Denis and will be based at Biarritz ( LFBZ ) in the south of France with the French Dept registration 67-AAT with radio callsign F-JZPE.

Happy Flying

Comet #069 - Moves North plus UPDATE

Late 2013 - Comet #069 was built in 2006 and spent it's time flying over the sunny skies of Murcia in Spain registered as D-MLGI and painted in an attractive orange/white/grey colour scheme.

This Comet has now been bought by Xavier and Chris and has flown north to Belgium taking up the French registration 59-DJK. At the moment it is based at Cerfontaine (EBCF) in Belgium but will soon move to an airfield near Lille in northern France.


UPDATE October 2014 - I'd like to thank Stefan for sending in a great photo of Comet 59-DJK taken last week at the airfield Lille - Marcq-en-Baroeul  ( LFQO ) in France, see photo below,

Steve

Brand New Comet - In France

Innov-Air the French dealers for FK Lightplanes have recently received a brand new FK-12 Comet at their home airfield at Muret, near Toulouse, France.

The red and white Comet is registered as "31-WM" and wears "108" as a side code.

With thanks to Innov-Air and Trevor and Kevin.



Steve

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 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

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

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

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