Here’s a new show kicking off this weekend (Mar. 7) for all you LSA enthusiasts of the Texan persuasion. The Heart of Texas LSA Expo debuts on Saturday at the airfield in Bryan. Here’s the link to the airport. *** This should be welcome news for those in the southwest and central region who find Sebring, Oshkosh or Sun ‘n Fun bridges too far, travelwise. *** Many LSA exhibitors will be there, including the friendly folks from American Legend with their Cub line, industry leader Flight Design and its all-composite CTLS, Indus Aviation with the low-wing Sky Skooter and other Thorp kitplane-derived SLSAs, Cub Crafters with its own line of Piper Cubalike LSAs, and Northwing, makers of light sport and ultralight trikes.
Archives for December 2009
Heart of Texas Fly-In
Chris Regis of Paradise Acft. did me a favor in absentia by filing a quick report from the field about the Heart of Texas LSA Expo fly-in he and other manufacturers recently attended. *** “The folks organizing really took great care of all vendors;it was a small event since it’s their first year but all the top manufacturers were there:Paradise, CT, Jabiru, Sting, Rans, Lambada, Sport Star, etc… *** During the first day, the wind was very strong and no one did demos but Sunday everyone was busy. *** The location is very good, between Dallas and Houston and I am glad that Karl and the rest of the folks decided to do this event. Jim, Texas is a huge market so we will definitely be there next year.
NTSB: “Don’t Fly” Zodiac 601XL!
In a Safety Recommendation released Apr. 14, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) “has investigated a series of in-flight structural breakups of Zodiac CH-601XL airplanes designed by Zenair, Inc…in the United States in the last 3 years. The Safety Board is also aware of several in-flight structural breakups of CH-601XLs that have occurred abroad. It appears that aerodynamic flutter is the likely source of four of the U.S. accidents and of at least two foreign accidents. The Safety Board believes urgent action is needed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent additional in-flight breakups. Two of the accident airplanes were classified as Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA).” *** In six of the breakups, NTSB noted 10 people were killed. *** Aerodynamic flutter occurs when aerodynamic and structural forces interact and lead to unsafe structural vibration in the airplane. Left undamped, the vibrations can quickly lead to structural failure. *** NTSB’s urgent recommendation to the FAA is to prohibit further flight of the CH-601XL until it can determine the airplane is no longer susceptible to aerodynamic flutter.
Sunny Side Up!
Somebody forgot to tell Paradise Ind. Aeronautica about the major global economic meltdown. Chris Regis of Paradise, (see my spots about their acft. below), tells me the company just opened its new 70,000-square-foot-plant in Brazil, which will produce 120 airplanes per year. *** Customers can even keep track of their airplane’s construction progress on the internet thanks to a remote camera system on the assembly line! How cool is that? *** Paradise makes the P1 and P1 SP (with all-hand controls for disabled pilots). Their aircraft (look for my report on both models in an upcoming issue of Plane & Pilot) are built in Brazil and assembled, outfitted and test flown in Sebring, FL. *** Price is in the $109,000-$120,000 range, depending on avionics and options. *** Pix as soon as I get ’em from Chris.
Epic Will Build SLSA
Epic Aircraft, known for high-tech personal jet and turboprop designs, announced an LSA project in the works. Called Focus, the carbon-fiber two-seat airframe, a pet project of company head Rick Schrameck since 2000, will also be available in three other configurations, including a 400-knot turboprop version! Market price is estimated at $115,000 to $120,000. *** The LSA’s all-up weight of 1320 lbs. will include 615 lbs. useful load, 40kt. stall speed (full flaps), 115 kt. cruise at 75% power and a 1050 mile range (34 gallons w/30 min. reserve.)
Transition Program Hits the Road…er, Sky
The ex-MIT whiz kids who formed their own company (Terrafugia) have just finished the fourth and final round of flight and ground testing on the Proof of Concept Transition® (POC) at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York. *** A total of 28 flights were made, designed to evaluate handling, climb, performance, take-off and landing. *** “The Proof of Concept validated three basic goals,” says a company release. “We could design/build a roadable aircraft, drive it and fly it.” *** The tests will lead to several engineering and design modifications which will be incorporated in the Beta Prototype, targeted for 2010. If all goes according to plan, the company intends to make its first customer delivery in 2011.
ZAP! Goes the Revolution
I have seen the future and it is electric. Lots more to say about this than I have time, space or energy here, after my first day at Oshkosh, but this much is clear: electric flight is a reality, just as the Wright Brother’s Flyer made heavier-than-air flight a reality. *** I spent an hour talking with the Yuneec E-430 people. *** FACTOIDS: *** * Made in China *** * The company just built a new 250,000 sq. ft. factory. That’s right: 1/4 MILLION square feet! *** * Company has initial plans to produce 6 different electric flying craft: ultralights, trikes, powered parachutes, hang gliders…and the sleek, beautiful, 45-foot wingspan E-430 (above) that went from light bulb idea to flying prototype in 4 months! *** * Getting FAA to amend LSA reg to admit electric power will take some doing. But you can’t stop a flood tide. *** Also saw Flight Design’s Tom Peghiny wow the crowds in the waning light at the Ultralight flying area with his E-Spyder, also powered by a Yuneec prototype electric propulsion system.
LSA Show Up East!
Last weekend, under popcorn-cloud, clear blue skies, the Greater Boston EAA Chapter 106 put on a doozy of a local LSA air show that drew several hundred folks. *** By my count 11 LSA models represented the industry, including the FPNA Valor (left), Flight Design CTLS (cockpit, right, with a guest and FD rep John Lampson looking on), and the Terrafugia proof-of-concept Transition “roadable” aircraft, in it’s final public appearance as work has begun on the Beta version. BTW…it drove in. 😉 *** The show was held at the lovely Lawrence Muni airport (good name) in Andover, MA, just north of Boston. *** The chapter created an enthusiastic, well-attended event that will stand as a good model for how to make it happen on the local level: pilots talking to pilots, not a big splashy corporate thang. Some demo flights, a local biplane ride vendor, and terrific food (bkfst or lunch, all you could eat for $5 or $7 – now we’re talking!) *** In addition to those shown and mentioned here and below, LSA that flew in included the *** Vans RV12, Sport Cruiser, Aerotrek A240 and Highlander Sport.
Long Distance Runners, Two by Two
Two “Lookie what we can do!” stories – one accomplished, one getting under way this week. *** Avweb reports two chommies (Afrikaans for friends) expect to fly their modified D6 Sling light sport airplane around the world! These adventurous lads modified their South Africa-produced, metal LSA (not ASTM certified in the US) to carry up to 118 gallons in each wing for long legs. Long, as in more than 2,000 nautical miles over water. Holy Lucky Lindy, Batman! And people think I’m nuts flying a hang glider. *** Mike Blyth and James Pitman are the pilots. They hope to launch from Johannesburg this Thursday and make a stop at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. I’ll try to snag a shot of them. Bon voyage, guys! *** To follow the adventure Click here. *** NEXT UP in the Let’s Rock LSA Dept. comes from my next-issue column, Light Sport Chronicles.
Airbusman’s Holiday
So what do you do for a break from your regular airline gig? Fly around the world, of course! *** These two airline pilots plan to circumnavigate old Terra in 2010 to mark the 100th anniversary of the first Swiss pilot license holders. *** In April, 2010, Yannick Bovier and Francisco Agullo will launch in two, not one but two, Flight Design CTLSs from Switzerland, fly west down the coast of Africa and hop the Atlantic to Brazil. They’ve even named their planes: Dreamcatcher and Celine’ (for a daughter, not the singer.) *** The motivations are the “usual suspects” stuff of aerial adventure: to commemorate aviation milestones (Swiss) and inspire young people. *** What the hey, for me the inspiration is imagining making such a journey myself! And flying in formation for 25,200 miles? Now there’s a concept. *** The intrepid pioneers plan to visit 18 countries, span five continents and cross two oceans.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 6
- Next Page »