Sad news today that the father of hang gliding, Francis M. Rogallo, who I had the distinct pleasure to meet at Kitty Hawk a few years ago when I flew a competition on the dunes, has passed away at 97. *** That’s a nice old age for all to aspire to, but his passing will be marked by every “diver driver” who ever took foot-launched flight. *** “Rog” was universally beloved within the community, and stayed in touch with industry leaders and pilots who lauded him for his gentle good nature and indisputable place as the person who’s aerodynamic engineering creativity directly led to hang gliding, ultralights and todays light sport aircraft. *** Rog invented what came to be known as the Rogallo Wing as a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) project engineer in 1948. He got patents for the flexible v-shaped fabric/frame Parawing in 1951. *** NASA became highly interested in a capsule-deployable version in 1958 for bringing astronauts back home, but dropped the complexities of deploying the steerable design in favor of the round parachutes we know, which were deemed adequate for the mission.
Archives for December 2009
New Cessna Web-based Sport Pilot Course
P&P Newsroom FLASH UPDATE (okay, it’s just me): Dan Johnson reports on his website that the first production Skycatcher tabbed for delivery has arrived at Wichita. Dan reports that the delivery floodgates should open wide next year (2010). But having the first C-162 finally out there and flying is good news for Cessna – and the LSA industry in general. *** Back to our regular BlogCast… *** Cessna Aircraft partnered up with video flight training guru John King of King Schools for it’s new Cessna Sport/Private Pilot Course. It’s a web-based system, available through Cessna Pilot Centers. *** A driver for the program is the imminent release to market of the C-162 Skycatcher SLSA later this year, part of the company’s stated goal of making flying more accessible and re-energizing its flight program. *** Cool thing about its webbiness is the flexibility it gives students and instructors. All aspects of the student’s training are tracked, and can be customized to reflect the student’s local conditions.
I Christen Thee Venterra!
Had a chat with Randy Schlitter of Rans Aircraft about his SLSA, the S-19, today. It’s new name is the Venterra, which, says Randy, means open over the earth. Kinda poetic and a fitting moniker for such a fun, responsive, open-view low winger like the S-19. *** Look for my article on Randy’s incredible 25 years as an aircraft manufacturer (more than 4,500 kits and ready-to-fly planes sold!) in the next issue of Pilot Journal magazine. Randy’s also been designing and building recumbent and other innovative bicycles for more than 35 years and his products are known and respected worldwide. I own two myself, they’re beautifully engineered and built and a lot more fun to ride than the traditional back-aching, hard seat prostate pounders the French tricked us into riding all those decades ago. *** Randy’s a fascinating, Gyro Gearloose kinda guy, that rare combination of brilliant innovator/designer and savvy businessman.
Flight Design… “Has a Map for That”
If you study FAA’s registration database as I do, you’ll quickly discover that Flight Design and its various CT models have a strong presence in the USA (the world for that matter, with 1,500 flying, according to the company). Since CT was first certified in April 2005 — the second LSA to win Special LSA certification, after Evektor’s SportStar — the German brand has steadily planted CTs across America. You can see a CT at more airfields than any other brand by more than double; the next closest is the American Legend Cub. *** The accompanying graphic was created by Flight Design USA to show the locations of more than 300 CT aircraft in the United States. The distribution is surprisingly even with obvious concentrations in big aviation states such as Florida, California, and Texas/Oklahoma with another area of strength in New England, home base of the U.S.
Launchin’ Hangar Flyin’ — C’mon for a Flight!
Greetings fellow LSA fans! *** Welcome to Hangar Flyin’ *** I’m Jim Lawrence, *** Light Sport Editor at Large *** We’re starting this blog so you’ll have a webby place for your questions, burning issues, rants (keep ’em clean) and for when you just feel like dropping by to stay in touch. We’re up, and we’re listening. *** Let us know how you feel about the LSA coverage in the magazine and here. Hope to see you in the skies this year. *** High and safe, *** Jim *** =================================================== *** To start things off right, here’s a couple shots of the bird I trained in: *** ——— the lovely Flight Design CTLS. *** It’s a wonderful example of the new wave of LSA machines: strong, responsive, comfortable, with great range, sturdy gear and real cross country legs with its 120 knot speed and 1000 mi range. *** Into the hangar before the next storm *** Sleek, pretty and sweet to fly… *** My flight instructor John Lampson.
More for You Visitors… Same Price: Free!
The Internet has transformed life in countless ways. Running an e-commerce website involves providing useful services, most commonly at no cost to visitors. In keeping with this new paradigm, several of the most popular features on ByDanJohnson.com are free — PlaneFinder 2.0; LSA Videos; SLSA List; FIRM List; LSA Market Info, Industry database; many articles; and, of course, “SPLOG.” *** Call it our Christmas present to you… SPLOG now welcomes Plane & Pilot magazine LSA Editor James Lawrence and his “Hangar Flyin” blog. Jim and I write often about LSA topics and you will now be able to read all of our posts in this one location …all archived back to the beginning of LSA. You can expect to read 200 posts a year or one every other day, keeping you aware of the latest and greatest in Light-Sport Aircraft *** Jim is an extraordinarily talented fellow. If you’ve looked at beautiful photos gracing aviation magazine covers or the pilot reports inside, you’ve probably seen Jim’s work.
China Certifies First LSA
An important development in the globalization of sport flight was just announced by Flight Design, the German maker of the CT line of LSA that leads in sales here in the U.S. *** The parent company announced its CT line had received Type Design Approval TDA-LSA-0001A from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), as well as a Chinese Production Certificate. *** That number is important: the CT will forever be the very first foreign LSA allowed to be sold in China. Although the Skycatcher is in fact manufactured for Cessna in China, it is not yet certified to be sold and flown in China, though that day can’t be too far down the road. *** The potential benefit to sport aviation is huge. *** Not only is China reportedly building general aviation airports all over the huge nation – a significant change from earlier domestic policy to help its exploding middle class enjoy the fruits of its labors – but its willingness to allow foreign manufacturers to sell their wares signals the first wave of what could prove to be a huge market worldwide.
Two Jabirus Fly to the Land of the Long White Cloud
The newspaper Bay Of Plenty Times just posted a story bylined by Julia Proverbs that the popular Australian SLSA Jabiru has migrated to its down-under neighbor New Zealand. A flight school run by Euroflight International of Tauranga, (north island) just bought and flew two Jabiru LSA models to replace the school’s aging Cessna 150s. *** Pilots Tim Holland and Ross Crawford made the formation flight of around 1500 nm over the Tasman Sea in a new J230 and a slightly used J120 . *** Gutsy Call Dept: Holland reportedly doesn’t swim! Talk about confidence in your aircraft. (SAT phones, rafts and other survival gear were on board, so we know he’s not completely crazy). *** “Earlier this year , we decided to upgrade our fleet,” said Holland’s wife, *** Euroflight co-owner Anita Holland. “We were looking for something which would make flight training safe, affordable and fun…(and decided on a) composite aircraft …due to strength, durability and no risk of the dreaded corrosion.
Remos “Insolvency”
Remos, German makers of the popular Remos GX composite SLSA, has been the subject of a lot of wagging tongues the last few days. Rumors abound as to what it all means, with innuendo-slinging around the company’s alleged lack of timely disclosure surrounding its financial difficulties. *** The man who seems to have his finger on the pulse of the story and its nuances is LAMA President and Light Sport go-to dude Dan Johnson, who I talked with at length about the subject this morning. *** Dan’s ByDanJohnson.com jam-packed aviation info website has the scoop in his Splog (Sport pilot’s blog) so rather than do a thinly veiled rehash of what he told me, you can go here and get it straight from the old Pegasus’s mouth himself, and also read the company’s official release today right here. *** Short tell: word got out that Remos had a cash flow problem, was subsequently required under German finance law to file for insolvency status (not the same nor as dire a portent of financial ailment as a U.S.
“Win-Win” Used LSA Sales Program
SportairUSA, North American distributor for Sting and Sirius LSA models, just launched an interesting sales/service program for “pre-owned” LSA that should prove attractive for buyers and sellers alike. *** Here’s the pitch: *** SportairUSA will sell every pre-owned LSA that’s certified for the program with a six month, 50 hour warranty. *** Bonus: five hours of ground training and five hours of transition flight orientation will be included in the sale, including a biannual flight review. *** Bennies for the buyer: *** The flight training, and confidence that the bird has been “thoroughly inspected and maintained by experienced technicians.” That includes any repairs needed for certification in the program, using OEM parts. *** Bennies for the seller: *** Excellent market exposure to potential buyers, SportairUSA’s reputation and resources behind the sale, and free hangaring, maintainence and any needed repairs along the way – only with the seller’s approval, and at no cost until the airplane is sold.