Light-Sport Aircraft burst on the aviation scene in April 2005. By the end of that year, less than 50 had been registered with FAA. But in 2006, 2007, and so far in 2008, growth has been brisk…if somewhat erratic. *** It may seem a bit early to be blogging about an “historical perspective” on LSA, but looking at the trend line illustrates something I find fascinating. Sales of recreational-class flying machines closely track the major shows at which they’re exhibited: Sebring, Sun ‘n Fun, and Oshkosh. AOPA’s Expo also has an influence but it is less demonstrable than the other three. *** Also, you can easily see the effect of the 2008 U.S. economic slow-down that has afflicted general aviation as well as light sport aviation. (Even bizjets may begin to show this effect, according to experts, as their backlogs mean present-day strong deliveries were from orders placed in the economic high times of 2005.) *** Consumers of LSA buy them for fun flying as well as regional trips, so when the economy gets shaky, many pull back until they have a clearer view of what’s ahead.
Archives for August 2008
260 Air Academy Kids Fly a Remos LSA
At EAA’s Gathering of Eagles fund raiser at AirVenure 2008, movie stars Harrison Ford, John Travolta, and Cliff Robertson plus golf legend Arnold Palmer took the stage. With their encouragement, EAA raised a ton of dough that night. Young Eagles is a great program, having flown more than 1.4 million kids. But it isn’t the organization’s only youth-in-aviation initiative *** Some 260 kids aged 12 to 18 attended summer sessions in Oshkosh this year. Programs varied, said EAA, but every student got to fly a Remos G-3 for 20 to 30 minutes. “The Remos is fun to fly and easy to control,” said Bob Campbell, Director of the Air Academy. “Students held the controls until it was time to land and were able to log the time. It’s our hope that it will be the beginning of a Sport Pilot [certificate] for each one.” *** Remos Aircraft benefits from having a dealership based right on Wittman Field, the airport that plays host to AirVenture each summer.
Bilsam Sky Cruiser Wins SLSA (#84)
They still sneak by…under the radar. Welcome to Sky Cruiser, which won approval before Oshkosh. As the LSA industry heads toward its #100 SLSA approval — perhaps by the April 2009 fourth-year anniversary date since the first approval — welcome to #84 (previously reported #85). *** Built by Bilsam Aviation in Poland, the Sky Cruiser is represented in the U.S. by Joe Carswell’s Light Wing Sport Aircraft. His company also sells Allegro and X-Air plus Titan kit-built aircraft, all of which occupy the lower price range of Light-Sport Aircraft. Based in Morganton NC, Light Wing provides flight training at Clyde Valley Airport. *** To top out their line of modestly priced LSA, the Carolina company imports the Sky Cruiser. Plenty of technology details or specs can be found on the Bilsam website but the highlights are: Cruise 108 knots with a 100-hp Rotax 912 swinging a 3-blade carbon prop; stall 40 knots; climb 1,050 fpm; gross weight 1,298 pounds; empty weight 704-770 pounds, depending on equipment selected, which can include an optional factory installed parachute; 26-gallon fuel capacity yielding a 600 mile range; and a broad 48-inch wide cabin.
Flight Design Unveils Second New LSA in 2008
OSHKOSH UPDATE — At a ceremony on EAA AirVenture’s show-center location, AeroShell Square, Flight Design unveiled another new LSA, their second of 2008, the first being the CTLS which debuted at Sebring in January. Amid opening day excitement, numerous media representatives captured photos and video. A large crowd surrounded the MC when Flight Design CEO Matthias Betsch and U.S. importer Tom Peghiny took the stage. After a few words of introduction and on cue from Betsch, Flight Design representatives removed a parachute canopy used to hide the MC from view. *** The MC — for Metal Concept — is similar in appearance to the CTLS but is constructed mainly of aluminum skin over a welded steel structure that provides great durability and occupant protection. Flight Design expects the MC will have strong appeal to flight schools. Cockpit entry is even easier thanks to a lower threshold and a door that reaches well forward.
Martin Jetpack as a Part 103 Ultralight
The Martin Jetpack flew at Oshkosh in a carefully controlled environment (photo). Two people held special “training wheel” grips on each side and Jetpack never lifted more than a couple feet off the ground. If you weren’t in the front row of the airshow demonstration you might have missed the flight (although not the noise). *** But Jetpack did fly and can qualify as a Part 103 ultralight, according to New Zealand developer Glenn Martin. Besides being the most compact Ultralight Vehicle at 5 x 5 x 5 feet, it’s probably the most expensive at $100,000. Martin said he has been working on the Jetpack for 30 years also developing a 200-hp two-stroke piston engine that pumps air through ducted fans to adjustable steering vanes to control flight. Jetpack specs *** A Jetpack pilot controls pitch and roll with the left joystick. A right stick is both a twist grip throttle and pivoting yaw control.
Flight School Economics – IndUS Primary Trainer
I’ve lost track of the model count for Cessna’s 172, but the lesson of specifying an airplane to a task is not lost on IndUS Aviation. During Oshkosh, marketing man, Scott Severen announced the Thorpedo PT…not PT as in “Cruiser,” but Primary Trainer. Nor is it the Thorpedo LP, the company’s earlier model designation for LoPresti-inspired speed mods and visual enhancements. That variation was about gaining speed, where the PT suggests a basic flight trainer. *** Increasingly, mainstay LSA producers like IndUS are refining their product for instruction. Severen explained the cost effectiveness of the new PT model, “Savings are derived from are the four cylinder 85-hp Jabiru engine, which only burns 3.5 gallons per hour. With a lower cost TBO of 2000 hours coupled with the easily maintained all-metal airframe you have profitable trainer on the flight line.” *** My experience with the 80-hp Jabiru on the SkySkooter shows it to be capable in all but high elevations and then still markedly better than, say, a Cessna 150.
New Australian Entry Brings SLSA Total to 85
Airgyro Aviation sounds like a rotary wing outfit. Indeed the Spanish Fork, Utah company represents and trains in the fully enclosed Sportcopter 2. In fact, Airgyro is the only place you can get “both fixed wing and auto gyro training,” said president Nate Oldham. The company recent added another “2,” the Outback 2 built by Australian Lightwing. One day after Oshkosh ’08, Nate called to report Airgyro obtained SLSA approval #85. *** Based on a two seat version of the Experimental Outback 4, the conventional looking low wing is manufactured with a steel cage structure smoothly covered with composite shells. Gull-wing doors give entry to a 46.5-inch-wide cabin. Powered by the 100-hp Rotax 912S, Outback 2 cruises at 105 knots and carries 30 gallons of fuel. Click for more features or specs. *** In addition to Sportcopter and Outback, Airgyro was appointed the exclusive sales outlet for Higher Class Aviation‘s Sport Hornet.
Remos Aircraft Announces New GX Model
Among many new aircraft shown at Oshkosh, one long-anticipated model was the updated Remos GX. The German company has moved steadily up the market share ranking of Special Light-Sport Aircraft using the earlier G-3 model designed in the 1990s. Following a major engineering effort, GX was shown to American buyers at the Wisconsin event. I was fortunate to fly the new model and found it has light and pleasant handling with several new features. *** Most notably, the wing has changed from the fabric covered version to a composite exterior that will likely be appreciated by customers including flight schools. The outer span is now tapered and the wing section is thinner, helping GX run close to the maximum speed allowed under LSA rules. GX, which is 100% built in Germany, retained the wing folding that attracts many buyers. Directional stability was enhanced by a longer “strake” or dorsal fin leading to the vertical stabilizer.