If you were planning on joining the Husky Round-Up and didn’t…you missed alot of FUN!

On Saturday June 19th we gathered at one of my favorite flying destinations at Gilliam-McConnell Field (5NC3) with the Pik-N-Pig restaurant.

This place is the idyllic fly-in restaurant because the wonderful BBQ fare with corn muffins with jalapeno butter  is served on the large patio overlooking the paved and grass landing strip. Our folks flew in from various points in North Carolina and Virginia. We enjoyed the lunch and fellowship making new friends and talking Husky flying, grass strips and future gatherings to plan.

We were treated to Bill Hodges flying in his beautiful Husky N332F on amphibious floats. All particularly enjoyed hearing his stories of his trips to Florida at low altitudes over the water just off the coast and the numerous waters “landing” opportunities in Florida. He also told of his flight to the Bahamas. John Harris of Louisburg shared his favorite grass strip destinations in West Virginia and Mark Ruston and his lovely wife Dawn of Raleigh shared about their recent explorations in Virginia.

Chris McClure in his beautiful red Husky N15CM with tundra tires and Andrew Dauber in Bill Hodges second Husky joined us just a bit late but in time for the flying competition. Jim Briggs of Hampton Roads with his friend John came in his 172 to check out the Husky line up and Jim got a flight in the Husky and was thoroughly impressed!

When it came time for the short take off and landing competition, Justin Willess in his Read the rest of this entry »

The Diamond DA40 XLS has been lauded by the aviation magazine writers for years now as many things including: “Safest Aircraft”, “Most Economical”, “Speedster that Sips Fuel” (150kts on 10gph), “A Sleek European Designed Cruiser”, “Best First Airplane”, and the list goes on.

So how do you top the such an award winning plane as the DA40 XLS? That is the question that the folks at Premier Aircraft Sales asked and then answered. They have spent years now marketing and selling these sleek efficient birds and in the process have come up with every possible add-on and option that customers have asked for that is not already included on the XLS. With a lot of development work and perseverance the folks at Premier have created the Ultimate DA40 XLS by offering different levels of these option combinations and referring to it as the PREMIER EDITION.

“Our goal is to make one of the best airplanes you can buy even more attractive,” says Fred Ahles, president of Premier.  “In today’s marketplace, customers are demanding value, but also differentiation and exclusivity,” he explains.  “They may want more customized options in the areas of system functionality, performance, comfort and luxurious good looks than the OEM offers. The Premier Edition offers buyers the opportunity to customize an aircraft that is as uniquely individual as they are,” he notes.

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Premier Edition Features and Options

There are two versions of the Premier Edition offered.  The Premier Edition Package I includes:

• The Premier PowerPlus™ standby alternator system, which provides additional electrical system redundancy
• The Lopresti Boom Beam™ for enhanced nighttime visibility
• The Hartzell composite propeller, a durable, light weight, low vibration alternative, offering distinctive optics and improved cruise performance
• Luxurious custom contoured all-leather, form-fitting memory foam upholstery with new color choices, piping accents and stitching patterns
• Distinctive Premier Edition exterior striping
• Premier Comfort luxury carpet with new color choices
• Diamond logos embossed in the headrests and an exclusive owner plaque on the instrument panel

The Premier Edition Package II includes all the features of Package I plus Premier’s exclusive CabinCool™ vapor cycle air conditioning system, delivering automotive-style cabin comfort with 55º F at the vent.

“There is a long aviation tradition of enhancements being offered by aftermarket suppliers for specific markets and applications,” said Peter Maurer, president of Diamond Aircraft. “The DA40 XLS is a best seller and features a long list of factory installed features and options.  We welcome Premier’s initiative in offering even more opportunity for our customers to create a truly exclusive and personal airplane.”

For more information about the Premier Edition call John Armstrong at 406-FLY-1NOW. And don’t miss the DA40 XLS Premier Edition Demo Tour!