New aircraft and off-road vehicle created in Shreveport!

Flying Magazine says a startup company with the goal of meeting off-road accessibility with the freedom of flight just got the go-ahead from the FAA.

SkyRunner, a flying all-terrain vehicle

On June 16, 2016, Flying Magazine stated:

   “SkyRunner announced this week that its flying all-terrain vehicle has earned S-LSA approval, paving the way for the company to ramp up production at its Shreveport, Louisiana, manufacturing plant.
    “Marketed with the go-anywhere adventurer in mind, the SkyRunner is a four-wheel ATV that uses ram-air parafoil wing technology, or powered-parachute flight, and a three-blade propeller to take to the sky on takeoffs that require about the length of a football field.
    “SkyRunner, which has just two flight controls — left and right steering and a throttle pedal — says its vehicle can reach airspeeds of 45 mph and cruise at the maximum regulated altitude of 10,000 feet.
    “The company says it’s now fulfilling back orders and taking deposits for the two-seater flying ATV, which costs $119,000.”

See the SkyRunner in action in a video produced 9/16/16 by Fox News: 

http://video.foxnews.com/v/5126726392001/new-aircraft-approved-by-faa-is-also-an-off-road-vehicle/?#sp=show-clips

September 1 Proclaimed Micajah Clark Dyer Day

Article in The North Georgia News, Sept 7, 2016, Page 1C:

   "Commissioner Paris said, 'I am very pleased to proclaim September 1, 2016 as Micajah Clark Dyer Day in Union County. September 1, 1874 is the date Mr. Dyer received a patent for his flying machine.'

   "Mr. Dyer invented and flew the machine on his farm in Choestoe Community many years before the Wright brothers’ flight at Kitty Hawk, NC.  Union County and the surrounding counties did not have newspapers at that time, but the story of Mr. Dyer’s invention was reported in dozens of newspapers across the U.S., perhaps also in foreign countries since efforts were being made all over the world at the time to build a machine that could fly. Several neighbors witnessed Mr. Dyer’s flights, and knowledge of his invention was spread by word of mouth throughout the county and beyond.

Exhibit at Chamber of Commerce

   "For the entire month of Septem- ber, the Blairsville Chamber of Commerce has an exhibit in their lobby showcasing Mr. Dyer’s invention. 


   "Chamber member Micajah Clark Dyer Foundation welcomes everyone to come by and see the exhibit and pick up a brochure that has a brief story about Mr. Dyer. It includes the credit he has received to date, plans for future efforts to acquaint the public about this wonderful piece of Union County history, and efforts that will continue into the future to keep the legacy of our pioneer aviator alive. 

   "You can also learn about the story at www.micajahclarkdyer.org."

More 1875 Flying Machine News Reports

Typical front page of an 1875 newspaper

It is always exciting to find newspapers from the 1800s that published articles about Micajah Clark Dyer's flying machine. In our post below dated August 3, 2012, we told about the five 1875 articles newly found by Jim Powell, which brought to 18 the number of different newspapers we had found up to that time.  
       Now we can add five more to the number.  Here are the additional ones just found: 

The Eureka Herald and Greenwood County Republican
Eureka, Kansas
Thursday, July 22, 1875 - page 3
A Ship with Wings and Paddle Wheels
"Mr. Micajah Dyer of Union County, Blairsville, Ga., recently obtained a patent for an apparatus for navigating the air..."

The Junction City Weekly Union
Junction City, Kansas
Saturday, July 17, 1875 - page 4
A Ship with Wings and Paddle Wheels

The Advertiser-Courier
Hermana, Missouri
Saturday, July 17, 1875 - page 3
A Ship with Wings and Paddle Wheels

The Recorder-Tribune
Holton, Kansas
Thursday, July 22, 1875 - page 3
A Ship with Wings and Paddle Wheels

The Sedalia Democrat
Sedalia, Missouri
Saturday, July 17, 1875 - page 1
(story reported on front page without a title)

     There were no newspapers in Union County or its adjoining counties in 1874 when Clark Dyer was granted a patent for his flying machine, but it obviously was big news across the United States. It is very likely that there were more newspapers than the 23 we have located that reported the story.  In fact, we speculate that the story was reported in Europe and Australia, as well, because attempts were being made all over the world at that time to design a machine that would fly.