IndUS Aviation of Dallas, Texas received FAA approval for their Thorpedo model as a Special-Light Sport Aircraft. IndUS is the first U.S.-based manufacturer to earn a S-LSA certificate; the company takes airframe components fabricated in India and assembles them at their Texas facility. IndUS can now sell fully built LSA that can be used for paid flight training or rentals. (My review of this aircraft is available here.) For more info go to the IndUS website. Two other companies have also received approvals recently. SportAir USA was issued a certificate for their StingSport just before Hansen Air Group got their approval for the Tecnam Sierra.
Archives for June 2005
Light-Sport Aircraft at AOPA Headquarters
After concluding three strong events on the EAA Sport Pilot Tour, a dozen LSA traveled from Franklin, PA (north of Pittsburgh) to the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association headquarters in Frederick, MD. AOPA senior management took a chance to examine and fly in several of these aircraft, then adding coverage to their website. The meeting had been arranged in cooperation with LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association. AOPA staff flew in the morning and evening and met in the afternoon with industry leaders to further AOPA’s understanding of LSA. A recent survey showed 30% of the organization’s 405,000 members see LSA as helping aviation to grow.
Sport Pilot Tour Is Underway
EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour got started at the Golden West Fly-in north of Sacramento, California over the first weekend in June. The Sport Pilot Tour intends to bring Light-Sport Aircraft from a variety of manufacturers together for pilots and newcomers to see, touch, and fly. Instead of you traveling across the country to a big airshow, the Tour will come to your location (as the schedule allows) to make it easier for you to check out the newest aircraft. Some 10-15 brands are expected at each location. You can follow the Sport Pilot Tour by checking EAA’s website for the updated calendar.