The customer is king…even before becoming a customer. StingSport seller SportairUSA has launched an online survey to find out what you think. Will you waste your time? Not if you have an opinion and want someone to listen carefully. You could also pick up $100 in cash for your time and have a chance at a $1,000 bonus prize. *** To offer your thoughts, click here and follow the survey instructions. I did it in 10 minutes. They ask 23 questions, some with multiple responses and a few require you to type some answer. Results could provide valuable info. Last year, Flight Design surveyed customers and offered a prize. It’s great to see these leading companies working hard to get real opinions. But don’t delay. The survey runs only through the end of November. SportairUSA and their research partner promise your answers will remain anonymous and they won’t try to sell you anything as a result of your participation.
Archives for October 2007
San Diego Firestorm Threatening Ultralights & LSA
Reporting from right in the middle of the firestorm, Higher Class Aviation owner Robert Gaither called to say, “We’re OK!” His Ramona Airport operation building the Sport Hornet benefits from being on station with fire fighting aircaft. More-than-willing pilots of those aircraft have been grounded by high winds. Meanwhile, ground-based firemen know they need to preserve those aircraft so they’re sheltering the airport. “The only way this fire will be stopped is by the ocean or by fire fighting aircraft,” said Robert. *** He heard from numerous friends that Nichol’s Field, near Otay and the Mexican border is severely threatened. One pilot fears they may lose the entire airport and its fleet of some 50 ultralights. “It’s like a war zone out here,” Robert reported by cell phone. But he also observed the flying community is banding together. “My customers have called me to ask if we are alright and to offer their support.
LSA in Flight Schools; Allegro Reports Success
Fantasy Air USA and LSA America in central North Carolina sell three SLSA: Interplane SkyBoy, Fantasy Air Allegro 2007, and Flying Machines Mystique. They’ll soon also have the Part 103 ZJ Viera. *** In addition to distributing LSA nationally, Fantasy Air USA runs a profitable flight training operation. Proprietors Doug and Betty Hempstead report 33 students have completed training with an average of 28 hours to obtain their Sport Pilot certificate. Using the Allegro at $70/hour + $30 for a flight instructor, they’ve kept the cost below $3,000 — compared to $8,000 or more to get a Private license. Doug reports average burn of just 2.5 gph during instruction (training is flown slower than cruise speeds). Many students drive 1-4 hours to obtain training, though a map on the office wall shows a growing network of Allegros used in flight training.
Getting Ready for Sebring’s LSA Expo #4
Over January 17-20, 2008 every significant company in Light-Sport Aircraft will be in Sebring, Florida. The Sebring Expo preludes with an ASTM
meeting. During the event LAMA hosts its annual member meeting and dinner plus its board will meet. EAA will organize a slate of info forums. Importantly, vendors can deliver demo flights all day every day. *** Event Chairman Bob Wood reported, “Cirrus Design is the most recent addition to the stellar group of companies now sponsoring the event. They join Cessna, Garmin, The Southern Ford Dealers, and others.” *** Sebring #4 appears bound for new records. Paid exhibit space available increased again in 2008. “We are up nearly 30% in spaces over 2007, and now nearly every one of those is booked,” said Wood. Most of the 47 companies and the 59 models that have achieved SLSA status can be found at Sebring making it the largest collection of LSA anywhere.
Jabiru’s J-250 3-Door SLSA Leads September 2007
In September, as the Cessna Skycatcher’s wave of orders soaked up funds that might have gone to other SLSA, Jabiru logged the most FAA registrations — 6 more J-250s, bringing the company to 44 units delivered and placing the model 9th overall among fixed wing airplanes. In second place, CT, CH-601XL, and Skyboy each added three registered units. Though the month was slower than usual for fixed wings, weight-shift added another strong month with 19 registrations (though some are wondering if these trikes are all SLSA or include ELSA conversions; we’re researching this). Combined, trikes and powered parachutes added 25 aircraft to the FAA registry while fixed wings added 27 for a total of 52 new SLSA. *** Jabiru USA has moved steadily up the market share chart. As the only aircraft company I know supplying both airframe and engine, Jabiru USA advanced steadily into the Top Ten of SLSA providers in the USA.
AOPA’s Hartford Expo Has Generous Count of LSA
Most pilots know AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, has been fighting the user fee battle…and they’ve been doing well resisting the might of the U.S. government. But they must also have a connection with Mother Nature as warm, beautiful weather shined on opening day at Connecticut’s Brainard airport. *** On display: StingSport, Skylark, the new Breezer II, Allegro 2000, SportCruiser, Sigma, Thorpedo, Sport Cub, Bravo, Sierra, CTsw, Jabiru J-250, Gobosh G-700S, and Remos G-3. Contrary to earlier info, American Champion brought The Champ, Cessna displayed their Skycatcher mockup, and Cirrus flew their SRS. In all, I counted 17 LSA at Hartford. That amounts to a healthy 19% of all airplanes on display.
Soaring Concepts Powered Parachute Earns SLSA #59
Sometimes it seems like all the attention is focused on fixed wing Special Light-Sport Aircraft. This makes some sense as they represent the majority, about 80% of all types. Still, you can’t ignore weight shift trike producers and those working to achieve airworthiness for powered parachutes. After a slow start, we now have 6 trike models approved as SLSA (and I’m waiting for verification on 2 more) plus we have 5 powered parachute models. Sales of non-fixed wing aircraft account for more than 21% of all SLSA registered with FAA with powered parachutes representing a quarter of this one-fifth share. *** Soaring Concepts president Galen Geigley reported his fresh airworthiness certificate was granted October 3rd, becoming model number 59 to earn approval. The company was founded in 2000 and in 2006, their Sky Trek won Reserve Grand Champion from AirVenture judges. Priding themselves on a well equipped aircraft, the 2007 Sky Trek SLSA is available with “leather illusion seats that gives you the premium look of leather with UV protection.”
A Fantasy Comes True
In only the third approval under the new Sport Pilot rule, B Bar D Aviation and Fantasy Air USA announced news that their Allegro 2000 has received its certification as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft. Allegro 2000 has been warmly received and Fantasy Air USA can now begin deliveries of ready-to-fly aircraft to customers that have placed orders. See my review in Ultralight Flying!’s 5/05 issue — the article will post here soon. SPLOG will report two more certifications in the near future.
The Champ: LSA that Isn’t…a Light-Sport Aircraft
Unsure about the certification used for LSA? Don’t know about premium-priced LSA from distant countries? Struggling to accept Rotax power? If you ask yourself these questions as some GA pilots are doing at AOPA’s Hartford Expo, then you might want to consider The Champ for under $90,000 or $100K nicely equipped. Here’s a familiar aircraft certified under a traditional system, Continental O-200 powered, made in USA. For some, this is enough to suggest purchase. One shortcoming is that The Champ has limited useful load — given an empty weight of 920 pounds (an allowed figure for this Part 23 certified aircraft eligible though not for a LSA) — leaving 292 pounds of payload assuming a full 18 gallons of fuel. *** My first 35 hours were in a Champion Citabria and I hold a sweet spot for the design. I look forward to doing a flight review.