Continue reading]]> Scotty Wilson, test pilot of the Bugatti 100P replica and leader and mentor of the group, was killed last Saturday during the 3rd test flight of the aircraft shortly after take-off.

“Scotty’s aviation career spans six decades and nearly 11,000 hours in everything from Cubs to F-16s.  After a thirty-year Air Force career, Scotty transitioned to the private sector where he led multi-unit companies in the aviation sector. He has significant start-up, turn-around, and business-development experience.  He is an avid general aviation enthusiast with Airline Transport Pilot; Instructor; and Mechanic ratings. He has an MBA from the City University of Seattle and lives near Tulsa with his wife Leslia.”

The Bugatti 100P replica flew for the first time on 19 August 2015 but was damaged when it left the runway. After repairs, the aircraft was successfully flown again last October.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Scotty Wilson’s family and friends.

Photos via http://bugatti100p.aero

Continue reading]]>

The Bugatti 100P built by The Bugatti 100P Project flew for the first time today. The flight was only a short hop meant to confirm the aircraft’s characteristics and handling and was made by Scotty Wilson, who reported the aircraft handled well on all axis. It flew at an altitude of 100 ft and reached 110 knots.

Unfortunately, the aircraft floated quite a bit when he tried to put it down. When it finally settled back on the runway, a failure of the right brake brought it off the runway. The soil, made soft and muddy by recent rain, made the aircraft nose over, and damage was inflicted on the spinner and propellers. The Hayabusa motorcycle engines used on the Bugatti 100P were presumably not shock-damaged, as the aircraft is equipped with a clutch that would have taken most of the shock and preserved the engines.

The Bugatti 100P was an unusual aircraft design by Ettore Bugatti in 1938 to enter the 1939 Deutsch de la Meurthe Cup Race. It was not ready in time to enter the race and was abandoned prior to the German invasion of France in 1940.