Tag: AvBrief

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Wasn’t Expecting So Much Sun ‘n Fun

a van's RV-10 painted red and white with Magnix on the cowl and flags around it

Well, it wasn’t on my dance card, to begin with, but circumstances dictated that I head down to Florida for the first time in a couple of years to attend the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo this year.

My primary mission was to help out with my fellow volunteers with the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators at the triple-wide booth we had planned in Hangar A for the show.

five people in polo shirts stand in front of a banner that says SAFE, Educate, Elevate, Aviate.
SAFE volunteers proudly show off the new display booth at Sun n Fun 2026. [Credit: Donna Wilt]

But since I was already on site, I met up with fellow AvBrief contributor Larry Anglisano to put together a few bits for the home team at avbrief.com. We started off with this video showing off the Bristell B23 with the Rotax 916iS powerplant, interviewing my pal David Copeland of Bristell on the company’s plans for the model, now that MOSAIC is reality.

a silver and dark grey low wing Bristell B23 parked on the grass
https://avbrief.com/bristell-b23-goes-mosaic-electric-in-the-works/This version of the Bristell B23 hosts a Rotax 916iS powerplant. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

Next, I covered the several press conferences on Tuesday, with news from Daher including their Me & My Kodiak app and the proud display of the new TBM 980 and Kodiak 900 out front. Larry and I enjoyed a coffee (I only spilled a little on my feet) on their spacious deck).

a tall man in profile with a microphone introduces a young woman with a ponytail in front of a screen
Nicolas Chabbert introduces the Me & My Kodiak app at Sun n Fun 2026. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
a man in a straw hat and a woman in a white polo on an RV porch with cups of coffee
AvBrief’s Larry Anglisano and Julie Boatman share a great espresso on the porch at Daher at SNF 26. [Credit: Larry Anglisano]

Then, I scooted over to MagniX to check out their big reveal of a rather little powerplant, one that will be going into no less than the pretty Van’s RV-10 parked outside the tent.

a van's RV-10 painted red and white with Magnix on the cowl and flags around it
The magniX motor will go next into this Van’s RV-10 for testing. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
a small electric motor round and polished white
The magniX motor is destined for several test applications. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

I also had a chance to support client Hartzell Propeller during the company’s seminar as part of the Sun ‘n Fun Innovation Preview on Monday afternoon under the breezy pavilion (which won’t be so breezy next year, once it is enclosed). Great stuff coming from the Top Prop line, and new prop applications in the works…

a man behind a pale wooden lecturn next to a large screen with New Products and airplanes on it
JJ Frigge of Hartzell Propeller introduces the company’s new products at the Sun n Fun 2026 Innovation Preview. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

Overall props to the excellent media headquarters staff, who kept me watered and fed and charged up during my whirlwind visit… and to the entire Sun ‘n Fun team for a great show… things are looking up at least in this part of central Florida.

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GAMA: Big Wins for BizJets, A Strong Year in 2025

A panoramic view of the stage at the GWU auditorium lit in deep royal blue and orange flanked by two podiums with men speaking from behind them

The total take hit $31 billion for airplanes and $4.7 billion for rotorcraft, topping $35 billion overall for the first time, and an increase of 14.6%.

With the official kickoff of the general aviation year, I made my first contribution to AvBrief.com, with my report and a beginning analysis of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association 2025 Report press conference and gathering in Washington, D.C., on February 18.

To read the story, please visit the site, and if you like what you see, support the cause by leaving a comment and signing up for the free newsletter. (You can do that on this site as well!)

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Julie Boatman Joins AvBrief as a Contributor

We started our support of AvBrief.com the very day that it launched in August 2025.

Now, we’re pleased to have the freedom to join officially as the primary coordinator of the digital publication’s general and business aviation OEM coverage. I get to do one of the things I love most—fly new aircraft and report on the teams that bring them to life—and do so collaborating with a couple of the best journalists in aviation, Russ Niles and Larry Anglisano. The group of contributors they have attracted to the fold is only surpassed by the number of subscribers that they have been adding every day.

It’s real aviation intelligence. Nothing artificial.

Check out the video link below for my interview with Russ about the new role and the first assignments I’ll have for AvBrief.

Julie Boatman Joins AvBrief

JulietBravoFox Media will continue to serve our incredible media relations and marketing consulting clients as we enter our third year since relaunching the agency in February 2024.

It’s an exciting time to bring new ideas and technology to pilots, and I’m thrilled to get to work with the very best in the business. Please join me by signing up for AvBrief’s free newsletter here.