It’s been a couple quiet months since the last SLSA approval but we finally gained another. At Oshkosh 2005, an unusual LSA candidate from Russia grabbed the attention of many. Sigma is a high-wing tractor-engined airplane with a unique teardrop-shaped fuselage offering a helicopter-like view for the pilot and passenger. The aircraft from VVV Avia features a basic metal framework with composite wings and fairings. On June 27th, Sigma became #51 to win Special Light-Sport Aircraft approval after a long effort thanks partly to support by LAMA president Tom Gunnarson. FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR) Joe Gauthier and local FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) Senior Inspector Gregg Behonick spent the better part of the day reviewing documentation and inspecting the aircraft, culminating in their granting of an SLSA airworthiness certificate. “The inspection was conducted at importer A&P Aircraft’s facilities on MacArthur Airport on Long Island, NY where proprietor Edward Libassi runs an aircraft service center,” reported Gunnarson.
Archives for June 2007
iPhone Fever…and Light-Sport Aviation?
Unless you’ve been off-planet, you’ve surely seen ads or publicity for Apple’s iPhone, which goes on sale today. The ultra-cool device has many nifty features but one service it offers is podcasts, some of which are about aviation. *** A favorite of many ByDanJohnson.com readers is Roy Beisswenger’s UltraFlight Radio. Podcasts are offered by segment; this means each interview is available separately from the whole two-hour weekly Internet radio broadcast. These podcasts have become available free-of-charge on iTunes and they have long been archived on Roy’s UltraFlight Radio website. Roy reports that more shows are heard from archive than live (understandable for the convenience) but with the iTunes podcast listing, you can pick them up easily at your leisure. *** With today’s much-hyped introduction of the iPhone, you’ll be able to listen to his interviews of LSA leaders where ever you are. Roy’s topics range widely throughout sport aviation often including interviews of LSA producers.
LSA Euro-Factory Tour: Flight Design, Ukraine
The Czech Republic featured in the last few SPLOGs may not be well known to Americans, but Ukraine seems yet another world away. Indeed, our jetliner flew almost two hours further east to Odessa and then we took a three-hour car ride to Kherson, home to the primary production facility for German-owned Flight Design. *** The experience of touring their facility was dramatically different than CZAW or Evektor as Flight Designs works almost exclusively with carbon fiber. Now in its second decade of production CT is America’s best-selling LSA and its factory has grown accordingly. More than 500 Ukrainian employees — engineers, designers, managers, technicians, and factory employees — toil in a sprawling facility not far from the Black Sea. Senior management is German but the entire facility is run by local talent. Interestingly, staff meetings are held in English.
LSA Euro-Factory Tour: Evektor, Czech Republic
On the same field in the southeastern Czech Republic as used by Czech Aircraft Works is Evektor, builder of the #3-selling SportStar. Coincidence? Not at all. This region, including nearby Slovak Republic and Poland, forms an aviation-intensive region that has attracted many companies. CZAW occupies buildings used in the Soviet era by Let Aircraft, a major producer of transport aircraft. In newer quarters on the opposite side of the airport is Evektor. *** Beside producing the first SLSA in America, Evektor is an engineering and design powerhouse. Of their several hundred employees, the company has nearly 200 engineers doing work for the aircraft and auto industries (which helped their success at being first to meet ASTM standards). Evektor builds an all-metal airplane using many components subcontracted to businesses in the area then assembling them into the beautifully finished LSA we see here in the U.S. According to Evektor America, more SportStars are in use in U.S.
The (ASTM) Gang’s All Over Here!
Who can blame you if you don’t get all excited about ASTM standard writing? But without this largely volunteer work by industry leaders, we simply would not have any LSA for pilots to enjoy. And…we don’t have FAA telling us what to do. You ought to love that part! (At the same time, I know not everyone is thrilled about $100,000 LSA — but news is coming regarding airplanes at more modest prices.) *** The ASTM committee met in Prague as a rather large group thanks partly to the European location. About one in four LSA sold in America come from the Czech Republic, so it made sense to meet here. The F37 committee will again return to Europe in 2009, just before the popular Aero show in Germany. *** It isn’t all hard work, though. On one pleasant June evening, we all went to the local Aeroclub airport and enjoyed a pig roast and golden beverages.
ASTM Draws Competitors Together in Prague
Since 2002 when the F37 Light-Sport Aircraft Committee was formed to write standards used to certify these new aircraft, competitors have sat shoulder to shoulder in meetings. Though pursuing the same customer base, these businesses cooperated in a model closely watched by the general aviation industry, the FAA, and many foreign regulators. They’ve done admirably well. International standards association ASTM holds F37 up as a shining example of the process working well, and fast, in a volunteer environment. *** At the first European gathering of F37, one remarkable group convened. All three producers of ballistically-deployed emergency parachutes met face-to-face for the first time. More importantly, they came to agreement on changes to the standard for emergency safety ‘chutes for LSA Such coming together of true industry experts is precisely what FAA hoped for from the beginning. Three companies met in Prague, Czech Republic — a location intended to invite greater European involvement as so many LSA come from the region and this country: BRS Parachutes, Galaxy High Technology, and Stratos 07.
Observing LAMA’s Audit of Czech Aircraft Works
At Sun ‘n Fun 2007 and Aero 2007, LAMA announced its voluntary ASTM compliance audit program. For consumers this will be known through the LAMA decal applied to all Special Light-Sport Aircraft after a manufacturer successfully completes an audit. Admittedly a dry subject, LAMA audits give consumers additional assurance that a manufacturer actually meets the standard used to win SLSA airworthiness. *** Aviation Services proprietor Tom Gunnarson has conducted four audits already but as LAMA Chairman, I wanted to observe an audit. So, I traveled with Tom to Czech Aircraft Works just before the Prague ASTM meeting in early June. I can attest that this is a thorough (“exhausting” is another word), days-long effort that goes line by line through ASTM standards. It doesn’t guarantee a “good” aircraft but can assure buyers that the airplane is what the manufacturer says it is. LSA pilots should be pleased this occurs and should start looking for the LAMA decal on the airplane of their choice.