People keep waiting for the “inevitable market shakeout,” where smaller LSA companies begin leaving the business. In our current economic climate, business failures are far more common than usual. So, how many companies have gone away? Answer: hardly any. In fact, some that went dormant are coming back. And, several more companies and airplanes remain in development. Growth in LSA companies and models appears far from finished. *** One of the comeback stories is the Storm Rally. This Italian design seemed to disappear when health problems overwhelmed the principal of the former U.S. producer, Prestige Aircraft. Now, thanks to Rodger Whaley of Air Elite (the company that previously distributed Prestige Aircraft’s production) and Phil McCoy, a Florida aviation marketer, Rally was on display at AOPA Expo 2008. *** Air Elite (contact at 269-273-8441 or email) is morphing into the American manufacturer of Storm Aircraft after the Three Rivers, Michigan company struck a 30-year licensing agreement with the Italian designer.
Archives for November 2008
Like Economy, the Euro Is Down but You Gain!
This week we’ve heard of a couple price rollbacks based on the euro/dollar exchange rate favoring the dollar. Notably among them is the EuroFox by Aeropro sold in this country by Rollison Light Sport Aircraft . Buyers can save a whopping $10,000 on what was already one of the better-priced SLSA. Now at $58,950, the folding wing, snappy-flying EuroFox — available in taildragger or tri-gear configurations — looks to be a surprising value. Importer Rob Rollison says financing is available to make a EuroFox even more affordable. *** Lots more appears on the horizon for RLSA, which has been involved with light sport aviation since before the beginning. Rob has been hinting about new airplanes he may represent. Plus, EuroFox will go through a name change in 2009. New name or not, EuroFox surprises many who look it over closely, myself included. I expected a factory-produced “kit plane” yet the finished SLSA is quite professionally achieved.
Remember the Cumulus Motorglider? It’s Flying!
In the 1990s I tried my hand at developing an airplane. While that business venture didn’t make me a millionaire, it provided a valuable lesson about what it takes to stay in the light-sport airplane business. Later, I realized the project needed someone who understood building techniques better than I did. That man was Dave Ekstrom and he ultimately took over my design, the Cumulus, a motorglider. He calls his business Ultralight Soaring Aviation LLC .
In the world of soaring, a motorglider is an expensive flying machine, making it not so different than high-end LSA that cost $130,000 or more. But Ekstrom comes from the world of homebuilts and he knew he could produce a kit for a lot less if buyers were willing to pull a few rivets (about 300 total hours are needed).
One of the 21 Cumulus builders is Andre Girard of Ottawa, Canada, who kindly provided Dave with the photos you see (five Cumulus kits are now airborne).
Light-Sport Aircraft Mature–Legend’s Celebration
Legend has good reason for celebration (and no, this has nothing to do with Obama’s election). In the lifespan of Light-Sport Aircraft — the first deliveries reach their fourth anniversary next April — Legend was an early success…a story that continues to unfold. The Sulfur Springs, Texas producer has come a long way while handily maintaining their status as, by far, the largest American-based producer of LSA. *** Recently, Legend celebrated the third anniversary of its first Legend Cub customer delivery. In August 2005, the builder handed over the keys to the company’s first newly manufactured Legend Cub to Rich Giannotti of Long Island, New York, launching the startup company. In the three years following, American Legend and their sibling kit company, Texas Sport Aircraft, report deliveries of more than 160 aircraft (not all SLSA). *** Along the way Legend has consistently added new features or options to the classic design.