CARAVELLA AEROSPACE RETURNS TO AIRVENTURE 2010 WITH A PROTOTYPE ROADABLE AIRCRAFT

Caravella Aerospace returns to AirVenture this year with a prototype of the “CaraVellair,” first introduced in mock-up form at AirVenture 2008 and then detailed in the 2009 AirVenture forum, “Affordable Roadable Aircraft Design.”

Since the design and engineering continue to meet or exceed expectations, Caravella Aerospace has started taking orders (without deposits) and are continuing to seek motivated people to accelerate development.

Initially offered as a single-seat kit, the “CaraVellair” will fly as an experimental aircraft and drive as a DMV registered motorcycle. Optional upgrades will enable it to meet top-level Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) requirements. The prototype on display features the unique combination of design concepts

that facilitate dual operation.

Optimized compromises necessary for a roadable aircraft include :
• Single liquid-cooled automotive-gasoline engine
• Integral conversion design — nothing left at the airport
• One-person manual conversion
• Tri-fold wing configuration — reduces side area & vehicle height
• Retractable twin-boom tail
• Reverse tricycle wheel configuration

The prototype is being tested as design and construction continue. The vehicle is currently drivable and will fly when the prototypeʼs wings, tail and propeller drive system are completed. It employs a unique patent-pending three-axis control yoke design with broad application potential for the industry.

The readily available well-developed engine powering the three-wheel “CaraVellair” uses automotive gasoline to lower the cost of flying and the vehicle fits in your garage. It will be on special display in the new Homebuilders Hanger on Wednesday, July 26 from 10:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Caravella Aerospace was founded in 2007 by Joseph R. Caravella, Jr., an aerospace engineer, aviation enthusiast and industry leader in combustion devices development. He spent 10 years at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, California after earning his MS and BS degrees in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Purdue University.

“We are thrilled to return to Oshkosh to showcase our progress on the “CaraVellair.” Our goal is to take orders and encourage collaboration,” Caravella said. The “CaraVellair” prototype will be on display in booth #97. For more information, visit www.caravella.aero.

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Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.