Airborne 04.17.19: HX-2 Flying Wing, Evektor SportStar RTC, 'Transwing'

Also: Me & My TBM V3, Dog In Cockpit, F-14 Monument, Special Skydive

After several years of development, the prototype of the Horten HX-2 made its public debut at AERO-Friedrichshafen last week. The single engine HX-2 was built at Horten headquarters at the Kindel airfield. The prototype, based on the original design by Reimar Horten, incorporates a blended-wing both technology comprised of carbon/glass-fiber materials. It is powered by a Rotax 912 engine turning a pusher propeller. It carries a little more than 60 gallons of fuel in two tanks. Evektor´s SportStar RTC has received EASA approval for night operation. The SportStar RTC is popular among European air clubs and professional pilot training organizations. The Night VFR version of the SportStar RTC is equipped with the certified Rotax 912S (100 hp), 3-blade ground adjustable propeller, a Glass Cockpit with Dual 10.6” Screens, back-up ASI and ALT and night lighting package. PteroDynamics has developed a patented aircraft design it calls "Transwing" which folds and unfolds its wings during flight. The result is a transition between a multicopter and a regular fixed wing airplane. The result is that the PteroDesign aircraft are smaller and able to fly much further, faster, and longer, carrying heavier payloads using less energy than other VTOL aircraft, which is critical for everything from drone delivery to air taxis with extensive government/military applications as well. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!