Some may find it hard to believe that ten years have passed since FAA made its grand announcement introducing the Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft regulation. Others may see it differently. Some thought the rule was a long while coming. A number of people gave of their time to an ARAC (Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee) that deliberated for more than ten years prior to the 2004 announcement. What started out as a means to expand ultralight aircraft and to “fix” certain problems that had arisen ended up doing something completely different … although some in the agency maintain they did fix the “fat,” or two seat “ultralight problem.” Many insiders didn’t feel the problem got solved so much as got buried under other initiatives, but that’s a story for another article. What did emanate from the ARAC work and FAA’s lengthy internal deliberations was a game-changing method of approving aircraft and I, for one, salute the agency for its brave achievement.
Archives for June 2014
Electric Trike Soars (Literally) into Record Book
On Saturday, June 21 with a good crowd watching, an electric-powered trike took off and climbed into the FAI record book, or will after the organization’s normal process is followed. Let me state right up front that this story was recently released on AOPA’s ePilot written by our journalist friend Jim Moore. Despite appearing in the big member organization’s eNewsletter, the story was too cool for me to pass up for ByDanJohnson.com plus, as usual, I have an additional perspective to offer. The images are all courtesy of record-holder-to-be, Gary Davis. If you click the link above you can read Jim’s whole article; I encourage you to do so.
As Jim wrote Gary flipped the switch and flew, “a custom combination of a North Wing Stratus trike wing matched to an electric-powered trike frame designed by Randall Fishman.” We have a number of articles and videos about Randall’s pioneering work.
AirCam Fly-in at Beautiful Heaven’s Landing
Company fly-ins are surprisingly rare despite offering a useful tool to propel new sales, to stimulate interest and camaraderie among existing owners, and to invigorate enjoyment of flying machines. This message became more obvious as a number of people joined a group of AirCam owners at Heaven’s Landing, an airpark in northeast Georgia that is surrounded by hundreds of acres of densely forested nature managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Mountains rise to 3,000 feet above sea level and form an undulating landscape of tree-covered slopes. Such an area is perfect for an aircraft like AirCam that so excels in low-level flying. Indeed, I cannot think of another aircraft I would willingly fly over terrain where landing areas are so sparse. For those who do not know, AirCam is essentially a grown-up ultralight with twin pusher engines that can easily climb — even take off! — on only one of its two powerful engines.
Flying Serbia’s Light-Sport Aircraft Entry
Update April 13, 2018 — At Sun ‘n Fun 2018, I was shown documents and photos to suggest the problem was the opposite of what appears in the following paragraph. Without legal discovery, for which I am not qualified, it is challenging to sort out the truth, however, based on the four years of history that has followed this story, I’m inclined to believe Aeroeast is a legitimate producer. In any event, as the aircraft has since changed in many ways, I consider the matter closed and wish Aeroeast good success in the future. —DJ
Update August 10, 2014 — At AirVenture 2014, I was informed that Aero-East-Europe’s Sila 450 is significantly based on a Max Tedesco design. When I heard this comment, I recall I had looked at the Serbian aircraft featured in the following article and thought it looked vaguely familiar. Many aircraft designs share a resemblance so I didn’t think much of it and I was no where near any of Tedesco’s airplanes to have a comparison.
HKS Four-Stroke Engine is Back on the Market
A majority of pilots express a preference for four-stroke engines due to their lower noise signature, reduced fuel consumption, ease of fueling and other reasons. For larger aircraft, engines from Rotax, Continental, and Jabiru may be preferred choices but for lighter aircraft most of these engines are more than needed (though the 80-hp Rotax 912 UL and 81-hp Jabiru 2200 can work for some intermediate-sized light aircraft). All the preceding engines are more costly as well. One popular, economical choice was the HKS from Japan but that well-regarded engine appeared destined to disappear from the American market, a shame as it is one of only a few engines to have successfully complied with the ASTM standards needed for use on LSA. No such FAA acceptance is needed for Part 103 ultralight vehicles or Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft. Fortunately, to paraphrase Mark Twain, “Reports of [the HKS] death were greatly exaggerated.”
Earlier in 2014, HKS discontinued production of HKS-700E and HKS-700T.
50,000 Engines and Counting in 25 Years
I am writing from Europe, from two neighboring towns in what’s called Upper Austria: Wels and Gunskirchen. The former is where the Rotax flying field is located and the latter is where the sprawling Rotax factory is headquartered. The occasion is the 25th anniversary celebration for the 912 engine series and, by good fortune or exquisite planning, the simultaneous occasion for production of the 50,000th engine in the 9-series.
The large Austrian company that employs 1,100 people in a modern factory produces engines for a variety of applications in large volumes. Among these are engines for BMW motorcycles and others plus a range of engines used in their own products including snow mobiles, watercraft, and on- and off-road vehicles. They also make engines for unmanned air vehicles or drones and, as you are well aware, aircraft engines for Light-Sport, light kits, and ultralight aircraft. Of the latter, they’ve built more than 170,000 engines.
Renegade Moves Closer to an “American Falcon”
For 18 months, we haven’t seen much of a sleek low-wing airplane called the Falcon LS. Even its name was challenged by French bizjet maker, Dassault Falcon, because … well, you know, someone might be confused. However, Renegade Light Sport Aircraft operator Doc’ Bailey is not an idle man waiting for the weeds to grow between his toes. He’s been busy creating his SPAR race circuit and — even though he had to relocate again after moving from Missouri to Florida (he’s now happily quartered at the sport aviation-friendly Deland airport) — Doc’ has been quietly plugging away on his Falcon line. He’s also kept his spare time to a minimum representing the D-motor video and the B.O.T. Super Cruiser, while simultaneously creating his Lil’ Rascal version of the Pitts S1 biplane. OK, so he’s busy but what about Falcon?
VX Aerospace is an advanced composites company near the Appalachian Mountains in Morganton, North Carolina.