Scott Severen of Indus Aviation took me through a bunch of upgrades to its T211 Thorpedo — the first U.S. SLSA to earn ASTM certification. *** Among the numerous enhancements include: *** curved glare shield *** numerous instrument panel changes including a stall warning light and horn *** digital compass *** GA-style circuit breakers *** cabin heater that “actually works!” says Scott. *** removed side panels to give more effective cockpit room *** A locking canopy has been added, as well as lumbar-contoured seats which have three inches more supine inclination, a contoured stick with a palm rest and adjustable headrests. I sat in the Thorpedo and found it very comfortable. *** The IFR-equipped (for training) Thorpedo is meant as a flight school airplane. *** Dang nice paint job too!
Archives for February 2010
Sebring Day Two: Tecnam Throws Down The Gauntlet
61-year-old Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam has a whole fleet of LSA and general category aircraft at the show, serving notice they’re here to stay. *** At a reception tonight, U.S. Distributor Heart of Virginia and the Tecnam executive team, lead by CEO Phil Solomon, made a bold prediction: they intend the company to be the top-selling LSA maker by 2014. *** Everybody was drooling over the P2008 LSA so I asked Phil to educate me on the gorgeous high winger. *** “It blends a metal wing and Tecnam’s traditional expertise in building metal aircraft with a composite fuselage. The idea was to make the best possible plane they could along with the strength and lightness of carbon fiber. It’s also clear that people are getting larger around the world, so there’s definitely a premium on a wider aircraft. People wanted more luggage space too, and more luxury.” *** “That’s really what Tecnam is trying to address with the P2008: a top-of-the-range, ultimate LSA.
Enter the PiperSport!
Piper Aircraft’s Prez/CEO Kevin J. Gould made it official today at Sebring: the company has entered into a new, worldwide-exclusive distributor licensing agreement with Czech Sport Aircraft that will bring the SportCruiser to market – by April! – under the new name PiperSport. *** As I reported yesterday, Piper did not buy into the company as had been rumored. *** Piper representatives told me there will be some changes to the aircraft, such as refining control harmonies, to optimize its conformability to Piper’s long heritage of entry-level airplanes. *** But by and large, this is still the SportCruiser, which is a fine, Euro-proven design that is not only an excellent training airplane but most definitely a lot of fun to fly, and a dream to land. *** CEO Gould and other Piper personnel addressed a gathering of public and media to make the important announcement. *** Gould began his remarks by evoking the original Piper Cub, what he described as “one of the original ‘LSA’ aircraft of its time.” *** “Piper is entering what is undeniably one of the most exciting market segments in general aviation,” he continued.
Sebring Day Two: Flight Design Update
I was lucky enough to get Matthias Betsch, Flight Design’s CEO, all to myself for a few minutes and here’s what he had to say: *** General update: “A hard year but better than we expected. In the last two to three months, we’ve had quite a pickup. Here in the States dealers sold their stock so they have to buy more airplanes…they have to buy more so I think that is good!” *** The year ahead: “I don’t think we’ll get back to 2007-2008 this year, but I do think it will be a 30% recovery. The rest we will do in 2011.” *** On the new Flight Design MC: “It’s a different character. The LS is more sporty, speedy, responsive. The airplane feels much heavier than it is. That’s what we wanted: an airplane for flight schools which is very forgiving, easy to land, to fly. It’s also ideal for older pilots who are used to very stable airplanes.” *** MC vs.
Sebring Revs to High Speed; Catch the Videos
Sebring is off and flying… well, like a homesick angel! It appears the sixth running of the show is as strong as it’s ever been. Tim Casey — head guru of Garmin‘s division for aviation portables plus avionics and radios used in nearly every LSA on the market — told me this evening, “I think traffic is nearly double last year [a record year for Sebring]. We completely ran out of literature on the second day!” The giant producer reported solid sales of equipment including their lovely new touchscreen Aera and their complete info glass screen package, dubbed the G3X. *** My pal, Jim Lawrence has been pumping out the blogs as you’ve seen right here (does this guy ever sleep?!) and more will come. In addition, my video partner, UltralightNews, has been working both of us hard to build up a flock of cool video clips. See the highlights here with a coming quick-take tour of the entire show grounds (see below)… followed in the weeks ahead by our continuing review of every Light-Sport Aircraft on the market.
Sebring Day Two: Breezer Notches Sale
Breezer dealer Mike Zidziunas had a double-good day. *** First, a potential buyer he’d been working with whipped out a blank check and said, “How much do I fill it in for?” *** Congratulations Mike! *** He also announced the German company has named him sole U.S. Distributor for the Breezer II, which he’ll take over from Sportsplanes.com. He’ll do business as Breezer Aircraft U.S.A. *** Owner Dirk Ketelsen and marketing rep Wolfgang Nitschmann joined the celebration and lauded Mike’s deep background in LSA engine repair and maintenance, flight training, and assembly/final test flying of imported aircraft.
Sebring Day Three: Sportster Nears Market
Anyone familiar with the Jess Anglin Spacewalker homebuilt from the 1980s will see its genetic pedigree in the new low-wing Sporster that’s been a kit airplane for some time and is undergoing ASTM development, to be offered before long as an SLSA. *** For now (I need some sleep) here some eye candy to whet your appetite.
Sebring Day Four: Garmin “Supersizes” G3X
Garmin’s Tim Casey debuted two spiffy new software packages for owners of the G3X glass cockpit. *** The first package brings expanded monitoring of flight functions and engine performance to the unit/s (you can gang in up to three screens on your panel). *** Tres cool: the G3X is completely user-customizable, perfect for LSA and experimental owners. *** Some of the monitoring functions: *** RPM *** Manifold pressure *** oil temperature and pressure *** Coolant temperature and pressure *** Fuel pressure *** Up to six CHT inputs *** Up to six EGT inputs *** Carburetor temperature *** Dual voltage inputs *** Fuel flow (single or differential) *** Trim position (three-axis) *** Flap position *** Fuel quantity inputs *** Engine sensor kits will work with Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, and Jabiru engines. *** The other upgrade brings mode interface, allowing remote control of the G3X to TruTrak autopilots.
First Clips: PiperSport Flies at Sebring!
Here’s a quick clip shot during a photo session, shared in the back of a Cessna 210 with Jim Koepnick, EAA’s master photographer, who graciously invited me to share the flight. Thanks to EAA’s editor Mary Jones too!
(That’s Jim’s hair whipping around at the bottom of the frame near the end of the clip – tight quarters!)
Sebring Day Four: O Say, Can You Fly!
Is this a heart-warming story or what? It brings out my deepest love of country – where else but in America could we even be talking about this? *** Details: Tampa Bay Online ran a story this morning about a gentleman named Gregory Lawrence (no relation). Greg, 61, was at Sebring and I’m really sorry I didn’t meet him because although he’s been deaf from childhood, get this: he intends to be the first deaf flight instructor! *** The story linked above gives you more details, just wanted to tag this because it inspired me. What a tribute to the spirit and love of aviation, and the freedom America bestows on all of us to dream a dream so magnificent! *** I’ll be in contacting Greg for a followup story on this: the challenges are daunting, no doubt, but the potential rewards? Indescribably, wonderfully human. Bless you sir and Godspeed!