We looked at this airplane at AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 (video). At that time the Orem, Utah team presented their wood and composite airplane as a kit. In a year a lot changed and now SkyCraft is pushing ahead with plans for a Special LSA that will be delivered fully built for the modest price of $54,850. CEO Tyler Ives says the company is ready to declare compliance to ASTM standards and after they get a chance to prove that to FAA, the SD-1 Minisport might become the very first single seat Special Light-Sport Aircraft, a distinction that once earned will last forever. The only other candidate presently known is the Tecnam Snap aerobatic LSA. Given that Tecnam has achieved more LSA models than any other company, you should never count them out so the race is on to be the first-ever single seat SLSA.
Archives for August 2013
Zenith Opens Its Hangar to Big Crowds
We interrupt our series on Oshkosh Elements to highlight the upcoming Zenith Open Hangar Day. The event taking place on Saturday, September 21, 2013 is the company’s 22nd annual such event and it draws a large crowd as you can see in last year’s photo. Normally, one company opening its doors to customers and visitors is not big news but Zenith has done particularly well with their open house. For many recent years, Zenith has steadily been delivering kits at the rate of about 200 units per year, a volume most airframe makers would love to match and one that puts Zenith near the top of the list (if not the alphabet). It means the company has developed a large following and, when invited, they turn out. Given the focus on the Midwest LSA Expo at the beginning of September, one could say the Midwest will be active region for LSA and light kit enthusiasts.
Oshkosh 2013 Elements: Groundloop-Proof Tailwheel
Elements are basic components of nature. As in our first part, I see Oshkosh Elements as fascinating ideas other than airframes or engines. One such worthy idea is Beringer’s new anti-groundloop tailwheel. Before we talk about their innovation, though, let’s take a quick glance at tailwheel design popularity. Cub-like models and other taildraggers account for more than 20% of the LSA fleet today. Tricycle gear may dominate but lots of pilots believe a tailwheel aircraft is the “proper” gear for an airplane with more machismo, more bush-capability, more aerodynamic efficiency (less drag) … you name it, many pilots just love taildraggers. Tricycle gear pilots, however, not so much. The reason? Trigear landings tend to self correct regarding keeping the airplane straight on the runway. Tailwheel aircraft threaten the dreaded ground loop. Since this sounds — and can be — scary, lots of Cessna or Piper-trained pilots avoid flying taildraggers.
Several other reporters covered Beringer‘s press conference and reported on the company’s tailwheel offering but none fully explained it, in my opinion.
Oshkosh 2013 Elements, Part 1: King Paul Mather
Elements are basic components of nature. I intend Oshkosh Elements to be great ideas that are not airframes or engines. I found a few activities or ideas worthy of inclusion in this multipart series. To begin, many folks understand various forms of competitions happen at these big shows. Many aircraft are judged for their building or restoring achievements. Others participate in races or airshow routines. And, of course, all vendors compete for the dollars of visitors. In another informal competition, aircraft vendors try to deliver lots of demonstration flights. I’ve heard tales about this for years. At AirVenture 2013, Progressive Aerodyne‘s Kerry Ritcher, designer and pilot extraordinaire of the SeaRey, told me about flying so many demo flights in 2012 that his team brought him sandwiches to wolf down in the airplane while they loaded another person in the passenger seat. He didn’t even have time to get out for a stretch.
Making a Plane in a Completely Different Way
Whew! AirVenture Oshkosh is history once again and I have plenty to report, plus we shot many new videos that will begin appearing. I still have more to post from earlier shows so no shortage of content on ByDanJohnson.com … except … you may have noticed a quiet period in the last few days. My trusty Mac’ that labors for me 12 hours a day, seven days every week went to computer heaven toward the end of Oshkosh. I guess it was just exhausted and in truth, I needed a new model. So I’ve been out of action for a few days getting a zippy new laptop up and running. Meanwhile, a special thanks to fellow journalist, general good guy, and close friend, Jim Lawrence for his two photo essays on what he saw at OSH. ••• Secondly, I appreciate so many visitors for making July the best month we ever had, by far.
Freakish Oshkosh Weather Continues!
Yes, Airventure fans, it’s been fair, mild, low humidity, refreshing, beautiful weather…all descriptors none of us is used to using in the same sentence with the words Oshkosh and summer. *** It’s been a delight not to drop with exhaustion at the end of a long day slogging around the miles of paths and thousands of exhibits, planes and aviation sundry. *** Here’s some more cool stuff from my travels across the great cement/grass/asphalt immensity known simply as “Oshkosh.”
The Big O Photo Jam
In the wee and foot-throbbing hours after wandering the highways and byways of the vast Oshkosh Airventure showgrounds all day, here’s a taste of some of the cool things encountered so far from my abbreviated visit – my 32nd year in attendance since 1981…and every year brings new wonders and old friends: threads of gold and silver. *** *** ***