Could my spot survey of just a few LSA companies at the show be the harbinger of better things to come? American Legend Aircraft prez Darrin Hart told me yesterday his company had sold three S-LSA and two Texas Star Cub kits…only three days into the show. *** Dave Graham of Gobosh reports two sales of the popular low-wing Gobosh 700. *** CubCrafters has tallied at least one sale so far. *** And Paradise Aviation’s Chris Regis had one firm sale and another one ready to ink. *** You go gang!
Archives for April 2010
Great Crowds Help LSA Industry Log Sales
After a few days in a new location for 2010, the LSA Mall hosted by LAMA and supported by Aviators Hot Line / Light Aviation Edition has proven to be a hit. On Friday (day 4), crowds were especially thick. All 18 airplanes in the Mall were often surrounded several deep. *** Winds finally moderated into a beautiful Florida day. Cameras, videos, and phone cameras clicked furiously as visitors pored over the flock of shiny aircraft. *** In particular the PiperSport attracted waves of attention but all exhibitors appeared busy throughout the morning and early afternoon (when people stream into the event). I’ve taken reports from several manufacturers that sales are popping. This is notably different from Sebring where people showed interest, took plenty of demo flights, said they wanted to buy, and then… nothing! *** Sales have been dead slow in early 2010 and my best guess is that potential buyers — who often have the money to afford these airplanes — are hesitant while they wait for the economy and their financial picture to stabilize.
Sun ‘n Fun Day 2: Toto, Are We…?
…back in Kansas? Little Totomeister, I gotta say, the winds blew so strong today I saw a full chicken caesar salad in its covered plastic container sail horizontally by my head like a UFO on a mission. *** I even had to postpone a photo shoot until tomorrow at dawn. Oh joy. *** No complaints though. It was a gorgeous day which started out with a very enjoyable hour-long demo flight in the Rans S-6ELS, a lovely airplane I’ve touted lately for its low price – $63,000. *** My demo pilot, Mark Pringle (“Just like the potato chips,” he said) took me up for some turns, dutch rolls, stalls, and a couple landings in a mildly bumpy airmass, at least for 8:30 this morning. *** First impressions (look for my flight report in an issue soon) — throttle in, rolling down the runway, one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two…hey, we’re airborne already? That lightweight flivver fairly hopped into the air.
Sun ‘n Fun: When The Going Gets Tough…
When the going gets tough, goes the old motivational phrase, the tough get going. *** The LSA industry had a hard year in 2009, as did all of General Aviation…not to mention the economy. *** And although news pops up here and there indicating better times are – eventually – coming, the most resilient companies keep looking for ways to stimulate their markets rather than simply holding on for better sales numbers. *** Cases in point from Day 1 of Sun ‘n Fun: *** 1. Piper Aircraft CEO Kevin J Gould addressed a morning press gathering to paint a thumbs-up picture for Piper and General Aviation as well. He backed up his nuanced optimism with positive stats: Piper expects to sell 8 times as many trainers this year as last; Piper’s total sales are up 75% over 2009; enthusiasm for the PiperSport is strong – the company could produce and deliver as many as 75 PiperSports this year; sales of other models from its GA fleet are showing improvement; and the three new owners of the first PiperSports took delivery of their aircraft in a well-attended ceremony at the company’s flight line display.
Sun ‘n Fun 2010 Kicks Off
The weather looks gorgeous; aircraft are landing at Lakeland Linder Field; booths are sprouting up like spring mushrooms. *** Even as Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany flies into the sunset, it’s the first day of America’s annual spring bash in Lakeland, Florida. *** Tens of thousands of daily visitors will have their chance to chase down the SLSA or kit plane or airshow performer (USAF Thunderbirds!) they’ve been dreaming of all winter – especially us winterbound types who are reacquainting ourselves with that bright, warm yellow thing in the sky. *** Sun ‘n Fun is the place we officially kick off the airshow season. It’s a time to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. To see dozens of LSA side by side, sit in them, take demo flights and get a real feel for what’s hot, and what’s not, for you and your kind of flying.
“Spring Break for Pilots” About to Open Big
I’m taking a short setup break here in the LSA Mall at Sun ‘n Fun to post this SPLOG. It’s the evening before the big show opens and this is a happening place. Vendors everywhere are scurrying to turn pandemonium into a highly organized show by morning. It’s windy but beautiful with temperatures in the low 80s and low humidity. C’mon down! *** The LSA Mall is a new location and by most reports, the location is even better than last year’s dynamite spot, with walkway or road access to two long rows of Light-Sport Aircraft. We’ve got $35,000 and $40,000 SLSA (M-Squared and CGS Hawk LSA) plus top brands like Piper (top photo, and see legend for more brands present), Flight Design, Remos, and leaders like Jabiru offering special bargains. We might squeeze one more airplane but I consider the LSA Mall full to capacity and ready to please.
X-Air Goes Factory Direct
Bend, Oregon’s LSA builder X-Air, makers of the completely American-made X-Air LS – lowest-priced LSA out there at under $60,000 – is finding creative ways to keep the overhead low by selling the airplane directly out of its factory. *** The company is upgrading the airplane in several ways, to be announced at Sun ‘n Fun, and will offer demo flights, flight training, sales and service at the HQ in Bend. *** And if you need another reason to go to Bend, it’s a good town on the eastern side of the spectacular Cascade range. I’ve spent time there over the years and always enjoyed its natural beauty. The composite aircraft kitmaker Lancair is also located in Bend. *** Matt Verdieck, X-Air’s friendly GM who helped me demo the X-Air at Sebring (that flight report will be out soon in Plane & Pilot), says the company plans to set up flight centers around the country as well as keep selling through Sportsplanes.com.
With Three You Get Dutch Roll
Just kidding about the dutch roll. It’s a play on an old movie: With Six You Get Egg Roll, about complications that come with a blended family. *** But the “three” is legit, and refers to the three LSA training centers operated by Shawn Okun in Florida. *** Shawn’s blended family is called FPNA (FPNA = Float Planes aNd Amphibians) and is worthy of mention as an LSA force in its own right. *** FPNA, as the acronym implies, imports, manufactures, sells and teaches in land and water-launched SLSA, (floaty-foot Capetown shown here) and also sells floats, Experimental LSA kits and generally has a good time with used aircraft, weight-shift trikes and powered parachutes. *** If you’re looking to get your land or water wings, don’t overlook this outfit: they have three locations – Clearwater, Sebastian and Palm Harbor in addition to the HQ in Sebring. *** One — Clearwater — is even a FAA part 141-certified flight school with SEVIS credentials (allows foreign nationals to train in the U.S.) Students can go from Light Sport to ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)! Talk about one-stop shopping.
Skycatcher Ramps Up Deliveries — Paradise Airbags
Molly McMillin of the Wichita Eagle reports today that Cessna is speeding up its deliveries of the C-162 throughout 2010, after delays were announced early in the year. The announcement was made at the Aero Expo in Germany today. *** McMillin also writes that Cessna veep John Doman believes the piston-powered aircraft market may be stabilizing and could turn around soon to a growth profile, perhaps as early as mid-2011. *** In a related story, Shenyang Aircraft of China, the state-owned manufacturer of the Skycatcher airframe for Cessna, plans to build a new factory to expand its production volume. *** An airport will also be built at the site — but original plans for a mid-2010 opening have been delayed to 2011. *** Future Skycatchers will still be outfitted and test-flown in Wichita. *** UPDATE on Michael Combs “Flight for the Human Spirit” odyssey: he’s off and flying! The nasty Salina, KS weather that kept him on the ground for 3 days broke today and he promptly launched.
Cessna’s Skycatcher Will Be Built in China
It’s rare for the Wall Street Journal to print a single word about Light-Sport Aircraft, but today’s edition has the Skycatcher at the top of the front page. Confirming earlier speculations, the Wichita airplane company has chosen to build its LSA in China. The difference from other ventures (Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier) is that Cessna will have Shenyang Aircraft build the entire airplane. Continental engines and Garmin avionics will be shipped to China *** Cessna says they can’t afford to build the Skycatcher in the U.S., quoting the CEO of Textron (Cessna’s parent) as saying Skycatcher would cost $71,000 more if built in America. Cessna is also hoping to establish a foothold in a country where private aviation is currently tiny (12,840 civilian pilots) but where the potential is large. *** Some are skeptical. State-owned companies in China are notorious for not protecting intellectual property. And, according to the president of Shenyang, his company will be the “sole source supplier of Skycatcher.” Many companies avoid single sources because it limits their options.