Editor’s Note: Here again let’s take a quick look at some of the LSAs we’ve seen so far at Sun ‘n Fun and welcome Mark Timney to our contributors for this show.
The first-day crowd at Sun ‘n Fun 2024’s Paradise City was a little smaller than usual according to long-time attendees, but what the event’s light sport area might have lacked in numbers it made up for in aircraft evolution.
Of particular note: A sleek, new low wing from Italy’s CFM Aviation that could set the bar for tomorrow’s MLSAs; Magni Gyro’s long awaited M26 Victor; and, a speedy new ultralight flexwing from FlyLight called the ‘Nine. ‘
The hustle and bustle of opening day prevents a detailed report on these aircraft at this time… only an entry-level tease of what Sun ‘n Fun is offering up this year.
Ian Moss, a student trike pilot from eastern Massachusetts, owns the first Flylight Nine flexwing in the US. He’s at Sun ‘n Fun with Blue Collar Aviation demoing what appears to be an especially capable Part 103 ultralight.
The Nine trike, which Great Britain’s Flylight sells through Blue Collar Aviation (BCA) in the US, is distinguished by its 56 mph hands-off cruise speed. And, this ultralight can easily reach higher speeds with its nine meter wing.
The trike’s Cosmos engine and 5 gallons of fuel also keep it in the air for more than 2.5 hours, plus reserve. (Yes, it’s really an ultralight!)
Surprisingly, the tiny wing reportedly doesn’t trade swiftness for instability or a scary stall according to BCA’s Tabor Coates.
“Every pilot who’s flown one has been amazed not only at the speed, but also of the light handling and comfortable 26 mph stall,” Tabor said.
The trike, which is ready to fly except for engine break-in, comes fully equipped and a chute for just under $25,000.
Coming soon: Blue Collar Aviation is pioneering a new way to economically train flex wing pilots to fly this and other Part 103 trikes. (Full disclosure: The author has taken fixed wing instruction from Tabor Coates.)
Magni’s M26 Victor is now available in the US following a decade of development. The company says its solved the major aerodynamic issues that have plagued enclosed cockpit tandem gyros.
Magni spent more than a decade developing its new enclosed cockpit tandem, the M26 Victor, according to company representative Mark Sprigg, an Alabama dealer representing Magni.
“Enclosed tandems have always had issues with adverse yaw because of the flow of wind around the canopy during turns. We’ve beat that problem with the Victor,” Sprigg said.
Magni M26 cockpit
Magni’s engineers and designers also believe they’ve transplanted other great features from their open cockpit M16 into this gyro. Its 110 mph cruise speed and 650 lbs. payload may even catch the eye of gyro pilots at a time when side-by-side machines are all the rage. The M26 sells for about $145,000.
Italy’s CFM Aviation hopes its Dardo will Ll fill a niche between LSAs and GA aircraft. It has advanced features–retracts and a constant speed prop, for example–but costs less than some of today’s Sport planes.
MOSAIC’s potential promise of more advanced aircraft for sport pilots is well foreshadowed by CFM’s Dardo.
Company co-owner Ider Brescia says the plane will fill an empty niche. “We believe this is the most affordable and capable option for pilots looking for a faster single engine aircraft, or for flight schools that need an advanced trainer,” said Brescia.
Dardo cockpit
This sleek, two-seat, Italian low wing features retractable gear, a constant speed prop, a Rotax 912, 914 or 915, 138 kts. cruise, and a luxurious cockpit that’s more than 51 inches wide.
Its most amazing feature? At $250,000 the Dardo costs less than many of today’s LSAs lacking its specs.
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