Contributor - Business Aviation

Rob Finfrock

"Crowdsourcing," or making a direct appeal to fans and enthusiasts for contributions to a project, has become a popular method for attracting ideas, capital and attention to a range of causes. MakerPlane (Innovation Pavilion, Booth 23) hopes to take the practice into the skies, and chose EAA AirVenture 2013 as the ideal spotlight for its campaign to raise funds for a prototype of an easy-to-build experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA).


Work on the high-wing design began in late 2011, and MakerPlane is now building a non-flying prototype for evaluation of assembly techniques and use in destructive testing. On July 23, the Canadian company posted a 60-day campaign on crowd-funding website Indiegogo.com to raise the $75,000 needed to build a flying aircraft.


"The goal of our Indiegogo campaign is the creation of an open-sourced aircraft that's been specifically designed to allow it to be built using personal manufacturing technologies," said company founder John Nichol in a video presentation accompanying the campaign. "Once we've completed the design and plans, they'll be made available on the MakerPlane online repository as free and open-source for anyone to download and use."


Aeronautical engineer Jeffrey Meyer is leading the design team on the prototype E-LSA, with additional contributions from enthusiasts around the world. MakerPlane aims to display both prototypes at AirVenture next year.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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