Paradise USA just marked the 10th Anniversary of its P1 design with some positive and encouraging signs for the industry: *** The Paradise P1, which I did a story on this year, is now certified in the U.S., Brazil (it’s home company has a new 75,000 sq. ft. factory there), Australia and South Africa. My story in the mag focused on Dylan Redd, who flies a specially-modified P1 with hand controls for paraplegic pilots. *** The Sebring-based U.S. arm of the company markets the P1, an excellent SLSA that’s based on a four-seat design, so for one thing it’s got a lot of room behind the seats for baggage, something that’s not that common for the industry. *** Paradise has designed and marketed eight different aircraft since 1985. *** Here’s a big congrats to Chris and crew and best wishes for another 10 years of successful LSA design and marketing.
Archives for January 2010
Flight Design Out West
I was out in L.A. last week and had the distinct pleasure to hop a flight out of Santa Monica Airport, an old haunt of mine, with Flight Design USA‘s California sales rep, Karine Noel. *** Karine was a perfect hostess. She’s just set up shop to demo the company’s top-o’-market line of LSA. *** But she’s more than just another pretty face. *** Her GA chops include a stint flying for JetDirect Aviation and CFI/CFII, IFR and Commercial Multi ratings. *** That pedigree should prove a real asset when showing and translating the virtues and nuances of Light Sport flight to GA pilots, who often underestimate the sophisticated handling and performance of LSA. *** We launched in Karine’s CTLS demonstrator on a clear, cool morning, flew out over famed Malibu colony, then climbed to 5,000 ft over the wonderful Santa Monica Mts. to boat around at 120 knots for awhile.
Yankee Price Buster!
Rans Aircraft seems determined to reverse the trend in ever-higher SLSA prices with a new package for its long-popular (2000 flying worldwide), constantly refined bird: the S-6ELS Coyote II. *** The 26 year old Kansas company, highly successful purveyors of more than 4,500 kit and ready-to-fly aircraft (and a thriving bicycle builder as well) offers the turnkey Coyote II for $63,000. *** That’s half or less what many Euro-built SLSA are priced at. *** But the side-by-side two-seater is no mile-mannered local-patch ultralight: cruise with the 80hp Rotax 912 (100 hp power package also available) is 105 mph, with a 950 fpm climb and 41 mph stall. Landing Rollout is a scant 260 ft. *** The Coyote comes with a steam gauge (round analog dial) panel and you can have it in tricycle or taildragger gear flavors. *** Step up a few large, and you can buy the deluxe version for $69,995.
Catching Up With The Legend
American Legend, makers of the popular fun flivver Legend Cub SLSA and Texas Sport kit version, aren’t letting any bad-economy moss grow under their Cub-yellow tennies. *** First, the top-selling American LSA maker received ASTM certification and has completed versions available as we speak for its Amphibious Float Cub. *** The web-footed little bear is based on a lightweight version of the Cub. Baumann Floats makes the water gear. *** A couple of FloatCub’s advantages over other Cubs and seaplanes are the both-side doors for ease of docking, and an electric starter – no more shaky dockside hand-propping ops! *** Cost complete is $159,000. *** Next, Legend’s “Cash For Junkers” rebate program is still going strong. The company kicks back $4,500 after purchase of a new Cub or kit. To get the rebate, just trade-in your old moth-eaten bird, flying or not.