Matt Liknaitzky, the U.S. importer for the French-designed DTA weight-shift aircraft is the newest winner of an Airworthiness Certificate for this world-spanning trike. A DTA Voyageur was used in a spectacular 1999 flight from the tip of South America through the USA across the Atlantic and back down through Europe to South Africa. This immense 26,703-mile cross country trip was accomplished by Mike Blyth and Olivier Aubert and was beautifully documented on a DVD video called “South to South.” The very tough Rotax 912-powered DTA trike is distinguished by its structural mast that makes a forward support tube unnecessary, thereby improving visibility. *** Matt is also the importer of a line of electronic flight instruments under the brand name Stratomaster. I’ve flown with them and loved their clean, clear display. His business, Sport Flying Shop, also carries a wide variety of other flying gear, and is based at the Torrence, California airport.
Archives for July 2006
Lightweight Four-Stroke HKS Now Available for LSA
After Rotax announced ASTM compliance for their lightweight 582 two-stroke engine, many American pilots celebrated. This lighter, simpler powerplant (compared to the 9-series engines) gave ultralight builders seeking SLSA certification more flexibility while significantly lowering cost for buyers. Now HKS enters the arena issuing a Statement of Compliance for the horizontally opposed, twin-cylinder, four-stroke, 60-hp 700E engine. HKS is lighter than four-cylinder engines and can save buyers several thousand dollars. American importer HPower has assisted at least 29 companies as they became HKS-powered, including such leading names as RANS, Quicksilver, Murphy, Earthstar, CGS, Titan, ASAP, and Flightstar. The Japanese company, HKS Aviation Co., Ltd., made their declaration on July 16, one month after the Rotax 582. Behind HKS Aviation is real depth in a 400-employee company active in high-performance auto components. I’ve flown a number of airplanes with this engine and have become converted to its smooth power.
CubCrafters Sport Cub Becomes SLSA #37
CubCrafters, builder of the Part 23 Top Cub, won their SLSA airworthiness today, becoming SLSA #37 to make their Statement of Compliance under ASTM consensus standards. The Washington state company brings the third J-3 Cub-like product to the market following Texas-based Legend Cub and the Zlin Savage from Italy. CubCrafters’ version follows their conventionally certified Top Cub and the company prides itself on building the Sport Cub CC11-100 on the same assembly line, which some buyers will value. AirFleet Capital, EAA’s official aircraft financing partner, is willing to finance a Sport Cub over a 20-year period (longer than other brands) because it is built on a Part 23 production line. Sport Cub is powered by the 100-hp O-200 Continental engine (as is the Legend Cub, though that company is also working with the Jabiru 3300) which allows the CubCrafters’ model to cruise at 105 mph (91 knots).