Dan Johnson, Author at ByDanJohnson.com

Affordable Aviation — How Can You Afford Your Own Aircraft? Here’s One Way.

By Dan Johnson || October 3, 2021 5 Comments (Edit)

Let's keep a focus on aircraft affordability. Look, we love recreational aircraft. In how they deliver enjoyment, they are closer to boats, RVs, and motorcycles than they are to a Cirrus SR22 or a Bonanza. Some owners justify the latter saying they use their airplane for company travel. When an airplane’s price tag approaches $1 million, business use is surely necessary. Very few of us can even drean of dropping a cool million on an airplane. Rather, I often hear from readers that a $125,000 Light-Sport Aircraft is "way too expensive!" In this article, I'll tell you something of Wes Parker's story and explain how he came to own the aircraft pictured nearby at a modest expense.

But First…

Please note the graphic to the right. This concerns a matter I hope you recognize as extremely important. At present, flight instruction in Special, Experimental, Limited, and Primary Category aircraft requires a LODA. Failure to have one while conducting paid instruction can get you in trouble, and such illegal activity includes you paying for transition training after you bought a new aircraft.

FAA’s July 2021 enforcement action opened a Pandora’s Box and has dramatically affected flight instruction in recreational aircraft of many types. Conventional flight schools using CFIs operating Standard Category / Part 23 airplanes are not affected. I hope you'll check out the video below — it's just 7 minutes. More importantly, I hope you want to contact your political representative and urge their action to support a fix to FAA’s big stumble. To assist you, links to contact your rep' appear in this article (scroll to bottom of page). AOPA said FAA's ill-fated action forced 40,000 pilots out of compliance overnight. Think about that! If you missed this very upsetting news, check this earlier article, which has two videos to help understand the situation.

Be Like Wes Parker?

Hailing from Greensboro, North Caroline, Wes Parker seems to have found a groove many pilots would like to discover. The Celebrity you see in this article was his fourth Experimental aircraft acquisition. How he did this is the core of a story about how people can afford recreational or sport aircraft.

Based on many airshow conversations, I believe many of you share some qualities with Wes. He’s a longtime A&P mechanic who works for HondaJet in avionics using his electrical engineering background. Let’s just say he’s handy and knowledgeable. Many kit builders I've met also bring skills and experience to a project. Basically, Wes did what some people do: buying, fixing up, enjoying for a time, then selling. For non-aviators, this procedure commonly involves cars, houses, or motorcycles but it can also include airplanes. Before you sell, you get to enjoy, and Wes does. He’s flown his acquisitions plenty but the idea is the same — buy an airplane needing some attention, apply your skills (and some cash), enjoy the airplane, eventually selling it to a new buyer. Wes is good enough at this that he has often come out ahead, leveraging his previous acquisition into a new airplane at minimal new cost.

In Wes’s case, his electrical engineering skills and hands-on experience encourages him to seek out interesting aircraft which have work remaining or repairs needed for its electrical system. You may possess particular skills you could apply similarly. Timing and preparation is important, too. Wes said, "You gotta be ready to buy." Research your target, seeking ones where you can apply your skills but also have the money and be ready to make an offer. Wes started with a Zodiac 601XLB (see image toward bottom). An older owner had done a nice job with much of the airframe but the electrical system needed lots of work. “I added some money and used my skills. My wife contributed the striking design of the wrap. We enjoyed flying it but a buyer came along and I cashed out.” Then came a Lancair 360. The story is similar: an informed buy, finishing or fixing, enjoying, reselling and coming out ahead of investment and expenses.

This method didn’t always work perfectly. An investment in a Van's RV-3, for its engine in particular, proved to be a "learning experience." Wes hoped he could energize a Beech Skipper that needed a more potent engine but a required STC turned out not to be available, so that project was less profitable. When Wes decided not to play the Airman’s Medical game, he returned to flying Sport Pilot-eligible aircraft. Into his life came Celebrity.

Celebrate Celebrity

The handsome Celebrity biplane you see nearby was another case of an older owner doing good work within in his skills but having a substantial share unfinished. In this case, you guessed correctly, the Fisher Flying Products Celebrity needed electrical work. Wes found the aircraft after posting a wanted notice on Barnstormers.com.

Originally built by Phil Swenson, this Celebrity project was completed by current owner, Wes Parker who has parlayed his way into different aircraft at modest expense.

Because he seeks what might be called “distressed kit projects,” Wes gets good deals. A prior owner is glad to recover some funds and get a project they’ll never finish off their conscience, As with all good free market transactions, both sides get what they want or no deal happens. Wes made out again but the older builder could not enter the front cockpit to check out Wes so he proceeded solo with cautious crow hops and worked his way up to solo flight. "I had little taildragger time and no biplane time, but since no one was available to check me out, I took it slow and ended up soloing the plane shortly after buying it,” Wes recalls. Wes acquired the Celebrity early this year and already has 100 hours on it. He flew the biplane from home base in Greensboro, North Carolina to Oshkosh and back (13 hours each way). While up in Wisconsin attending the show, he participated as the only biplane in the AirVenture Cup air races. “Since I was the only entry, I won,” Wes smiled, “and I could’ve won Unlimited Class, too, as no biplanes entered.” Wes and I spoke for 45 minutes and he told story after story of his fun in recreational aviation. I can’t relate them all here but I came away impressed at how far one fellow can go following his method. A few extra photos below tell more of his airplane history. By buying carefully, adding his own labors, and selling to someone glad to have a fully-finished Experimental, Wes has been able to keep his cost of acquisition surprisingly low. Based on figures we discussed, I'd guess Wes is in about the value of a deluxe new SUV and I’d call that achievement both inventive and economic. Get more facts about Celebrity direct from the factory.

https://youtu.be/0J7vcuqppIg

Wes Parker's Experimentals

In 2021 alone, Wes Parker has spent 100 enjoyable hours in this cockpit.

An earlier acquisition was a mostly-done Zodiac 601XLB for which Wes Parker's wife designed this distinctive wrap graphic.

Among his various Experimental was this Lancair 360, which Wes enjoyed for its speedy performance. Choosing not to worry about an aviation medical lead Wes back to Sport Pilot and the Celebrity.

Let’s keep a focus on aircraft affordability. Look, we love recreational aircraft. In how they deliver enjoyment, they are closer to boats, RVs, and motorcycles than they are to a Cirrus SR22 or a Bonanza. Some owners justify the latter saying they use their airplane for company travel. When an airplane’s price tag approaches $1 million, business use is surely necessary. Very few of us can even drean of dropping a cool million on an airplane. Rather, I often hear from readers that a $125,000 Light-Sport Aircraft is “way too expensive!” In this article, I’ll tell you something of Wes Parker‘s story and explain how he came to own the aircraft pictured nearby at a modest expense. But First… Please note the graphic to the right. This concerns a matter I hope you recognize as extremely important. At present, flight instruction in Special, Experimental, Limited, and Primary Category aircraft requires a LODA.

Trouble Ahead? 5 Problems Appear While Aircraft Sales Remain Strong. What’s Happening?

By Dan Johnson || September 23, 2021 8 Comments (Edit)

Numerous reports involve rising inflation in the last year. What's driving this? Despite public spending at levels never seen before, inflation had seemed tame and the economy appears remarkably strong even after the last year and a half of dislocations and restrictions? However, trillions cannot enter an economy without impact. The lion’s share of those immense sums found their way into financial assets, including stocks. What has this to do with Light-Sport Aircraft? Over many years of ups and downs, I’ve noticed a high correlation between stock market buoyancy and airplane sales. Both are soaring right now. Unfortunately, some dark clouds are gathering.

Insurance Rates — Do you pay an insurance bill? If you answered yes, then you know about a significant increase in your premium. Maybe you can't find insurance for your special aircraft. Maybe you can't even get an insurance agent to give you a quote. Is the cause for this price gloom because LSA or Sport Pilot kit aircraft are falling out of the sky? No, that's not it.

Loss claim ratio is one reason rates go up but the reasons today are more complex. View the video below for more on this subject.

Like so many industries, insurance has many complex factors and the video at the bottom of the page will fill in even more blanks. Yet the main cause of rising prices is a departure of four insurance companies that once took the risk. Consider that when things were good — say in 2018 when rates were still quite reasonable — Aviation Insurance Resources (or AIR) said they had a dozen companies that would quote. Losing four of 12 is serious and, as you might expect, when the supply lowers and demand is increasing, prices tend to rise. Aluminum Prices — Some years ago when Flight Design and their CT-series were selling more than 100 units a year in the USA alone, a problem arose. Boeing had completed their Dreamliner 787, ground-breaking because it used loads of carbon fiber to keep weight down and strength up — the same benefits that appealed to Flight Design and other LSA designers that used it.

Aluminum is being sequestered in China as supplies become tight after a military coup in Guinea.

Yet after Boeing starting buying whole mill runs of raw carbon fiber material, prices rose dramatically. Even worse, since Boeing kept emptying the shelves, so to say, supplies tightened. Higher costs and reduced availability was a major problem for smaller producers like Flight Design. In 2021, aluminum prices have risen to the highest level in 10 years due partly to a military coup in mineral-rich Guinea which is snarling the lightweight-metal supply chain. Guinea is (or was) the world's largest supplier of bauxite before the military recently suspended the country's constitution. Bauxite is crucial for the manufacturing of aluminum. Shipping Costs — FedEx on Monday said shipping rates would go up an average of 5.9% next year across most of its services, the first time in eight years that it or rival United Parcel Service has strayed above annual increases of 4.9%. That will affect your shipment of goods ordered online for delivery to your house. Regrettably, it does not end with FedEx and UPS.

Numerous importers of LSA and other products have told me how their container shipping expenses have shot skyward faster than a Blue Origin space flight with a billionaire on board. I've heard many quote between double and triple the rates per container compared to a couple years ago. Welcome to the world of inflation-stimulated price increases combined with tariffs, sanctions, and taxes… all of which are on the rise globally. Lead Times — After three days of the Midwest LSA Expo, I don't think I would be exaggerating to say that perhaps 20 aircraft sold during the event. Considering this event draws a relatively small group of attendees, that many aircraft sales is amazing, I believe. Many of the same vendors reporting sales at Midwest say they never do that well at Oshkosh, which is orders of magnitude larger. Previously, airplane representatives at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 reported solid business and a growing backlog of orders. That's good for them but means longer waits for pilots who went forward with a purchase but now must cool their jets as they await delivery. Many of these producers have learned that it doesn't pay to expand their enterprise to build more airplanes when demand is high because it is hard to get smaller quickly when demand slows. Some of the best producers instead prefer a steady pace where they can control quality better. It's hard to fault that approach but it does mean longer waits as we are now experiencing. Regulatory Uncertainty — The good news is… the wait for the new MOSAIC regulation will eventually end, probably by December 31, 2023.

The bad news is… until then, uncertainty is the watchword. When people don’t know what is ahead — either on the producer level or at the consumer level — individuals tend to hesitate. Aircraft sales people have full order books right now and hopefully that will sustain them through any dry spell. I’ll end this dreary review by quoting a favorite author of mine, Harry Browne, who wrote, “Anything can happen. Nothing has to happen.”

Can We Beat This Thing?

Are these five choke points the end of it? Regrettably, no. The sheer unsustainability of government expenditures far beyond revenue, especially with much of it funded through debt, predicts rising interest rates and that forecast always proves threatening to the stock market.

Although larger now, this image of BRM Aero's personnel shows a common staff size for a light aircraft producer.

If my theory about high correlation between stock values and airplane sales is correct, any stumble in equities could bring difficult times. On the plus side — because a plus side always emerges — this industry of relatively small businesses has already shown itself to be remarkably resilient, through the 2008 financial recession as well as the Covid panic. Businesses able to survive those two body blows can probably continue straight and level despite additional turbulence. The last line of defense in any unknown future is actually you, you and your continued interest in recreational aviation. I believe “where there’s a will there’s a way” and with a growing number of used aircraft and other affordable choices that could be flown out of a farmer’s field, no problems can snuff out a pilot's enjoyment of flight.

https://youtu.be/L_hmkg097Ts

Numerous reports involve rising inflation in the last year. What’s driving this? Despite public spending at levels never seen before, inflation had seemed tame and the economy appears remarkably strong even after the last year and a half of dislocations and restrictions? However, trillions cannot enter an economy without impact. The lion’s share of those immense sums found their way into financial assets, including stocks. What has this to do with Light-Sport Aircraft? Over many years of ups and downs, I’ve noticed a high correlation between stock market buoyancy and airplane sales. Both are soaring right now. Unfortunately, some dark clouds are gathering. Insurance Rates — Do you pay an insurance bill? If you answered yes, then you know about a significant increase in your premium. Maybe you can’t find insurance for your special aircraft. Maybe you can’t even get an insurance agent to give you a quote. Is the cause for this price gloom because LSA or Sport Pilot kit aircraft are falling out of the sky?

Newest (SLSA-to-be) Hiperlight at 2005 Prices, Plus an Important Request from AOPA!

By Dan Johnson || September 20, 2021 2 Comments (Edit)

I consistently promote that this website focuses on "affordable" aircraft. I used quotes because affordable literally means something different to every single individual. None of us has the same budget and our financial picture can change tomorrow. At AirVenture 2021, I interviewed Ron Jones of Thunderbird Aviation about a two-seat Hiperlight he displayed in the Fun Fly Zone. The design by the Sorrell brothers has been around for decades but not until now has it been available as a ready-to-fly SLSA. In truth, it's still not available but Ron said, "It's coming" and it could arrive in time for the 2022 recreational flying season.

Thunderbird Aviation Line of Models

Back in the '80s, the Sorrells set out to create Hiperlight as high-performance aircraft using relative low horsepower.

The "lifting body" shape of the Hiperlight fuselage can be envisioned in this view as your eye follows the curvature of the cockpit to a tapered finish.

Thunderbird Aviation was established officially in 2002 when Ron reports being "lucky enough to stumble across a tiny ad in one of the aviation trade journals. They were advertising the sale of the tooling and rights for the Hiperlight." He went for it. A decade later, in 2013, Ron continued, "Rights and tooling became available for the Hiperbipe, which was originally designed in 1975 as a fully-aerobatic, cabin-class biplane. It filled out our product line." The Part 103 vehicle entry, SNS-8, works well on only 28 horsepower to carry 500 pounds gross weight. "It meets the requirements of Part 103 to be a legal ultralight vehicle," said the company. An SNS-9 two-place Hiperlight was designed to accommodate a 65 horsepower engine, which "provides excellent short field performance, while at the same time making it a viable cross county machine."

For the Special LSA version of SNS-8, Thunderbird will provide the Jabiru 2200, an 81-horsepower, air-cooled, four-cylinder engine that operates at revolutions familiar to GA pilots.

Finally, "the SNS-7 Hiperbipe is the fire-breathing big brother of the SNS-9," said Thunderbird, adding that SNS-7 was designed to compete in the sport aerobatic class, while at the same time being a comfortable weekend or cross country aircraft. Observe that the relative position of Hiperlight’s two wings is different than most biplanes. Most designers have placed the upper wing forward of the lower wing. Contrarily, "SNS" stands for Sorrell Negative Stagger. As you can see in these images, negative stagger certainly aids forward visibility while requiring less structure to attach landing gear, among other benefits. Other than the number of seats, all SNS models bear a remarkable resemblance incorporating as they do a "lifting body" fuselage. The nearby aft view highlights this visually. The two-seat SNS-9 is presently available in basic kit form, which requires the builder to do 51% of the assembly. This has been the case during all of Ron's two decades of representing this design. "Soon we will be offering them fully assembled and ready to fly," he added on the company website. A basic kit starts at $35,900 but it gets much more interesting.

Prepare to Be Amazed

In the interview, as you can hear for yourself, Ron is suggesting that Hiperlight as a Special LSA for (that is, fully-factory-built) could sell for a target of about $65,000. To fully appreciate that number, let me take you back in time.

Enhanced forward visibility plus simpler structure to carry gear loads are benefits found when using negative stagger for the wings as seen in this view.

In 2004 as the rule was announced, speculation was high that special Light-Sport Aircraft could or should sell for $50-60,000. Today, I hear people lament all the time that such a price cannot be found. In truth, that's incorrect today. You can find aircraft that sell for that number or less but what you find at that price may not be what you want. I'm thinking of several weight-shift trikes or powered parachutes that sell for roughly those numbers ready-to-fly. However, fixed wing choices are also available and a growing market of used LSA are much more affordable. However, we cannot ignore what has happened to the purchasing power of your dollars in the past 17 years. Let me do the caluculations for you. Assuming you accept the government's CPI as an accurate gauge of inflation, what $60,000 bought you in 2004 will take $81,000 today. Essentially, for you to go buy things you want, you'll spend 35% more dollars to buy the same items. You know this from your own daily purchases.

Simply put, a LSA selling for $81,000 in 2021 is priced the same (in purchasing power) as $60,000 was in 2004 when the SP/LSA rule was announced at Oshkosh that year. Therefore, Hiperlight, if it truly comes to market at $65,000, is actually cheaper than we expected in 2004… quite a bit less, actually. I find that amazing even as I acknowledge that $65,000 may not be "affordable" for everyone.

SNS-9 Hiperlight Thunderbird Aviation (Michigan) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Wing Span — 23 feet 4 inches
Length — 18 feet
Height — 5 feet 4 inches
Wing Area — 148 square feet
Engine (planned for SLSA) — Jabiru 2200, 81 horsepower, four cylinders
Fuel Capacity — 12 gallons (15 gallons planned for SLSA model)
Empty Weight — 380 pounds (some change may occur with SLSA model)
Gross Weight — 875 pounds (some change may occur with SLSA model)
Maximum Speed — 113 miles per hour
Maximum Cruise — 85 miles per hour
Range — 260 miles
Stall Speed — 39 miles per hour
Take of Distance — 300 feet
Landing Distance — 300 feet
Rate of Climb — 600 feet per minute (higher performance expected with Jabiru 2200)
Glide Ratio — 12:1
Rate of Sink — 325 feet per minute
Load Factor — +3.8/–1.9
Assembly Time — 300-400 hours

https://youtu.be/9KdGmLHB4vw

LSA Flight Instruction AOPA Asks Your Help

Please allow me to draw your attention to a request from AOPA president Mark Baker asking for your help in fighting FAA's misstep over flight training. As this can tremendously impact training in Light-Sport Aircraft and experimental kits, this matter is critical. Please read and act if you believe FAA must change their position. …and THANK YOU!

Note: Links appearing in the letter below are reproduced for you after the letter.

Please use these links to…

Contact your Congressional Representatives

Learn More from AOPA about FAA's Action

I consistently promote that this website focuses on “affordable” aircraft. I used quotes because affordable literally means something different to every single individual. None of us has the same budget and our financial picture can change tomorrow. At AirVenture 2021, I interviewed Ron Jones of Thunderbird Aviation about a two-seat Hiperlight he displayed in the Fun Fly Zone. The design by the Sorrell brothers has been around for decades but not until now has it been available as a ready-to-fly SLSA. In truth, it’s still not available but Ron said, “It’s coming” and it could arrive in time for the 2022 recreational flying season. Thunderbird Aviation Line of Models Back in the ’80s, the Sorrells set out to create Hiperlight as high-performance aircraft using relative low horsepower. Thunderbird Aviation was established officially in 2002 when Ron reports being “lucky enough to stumble across a tiny ad in one of the aviation trade journals.

Midwest 2021 Day 3: Examining a Gleaming G1 STOL …plus FAA Update Video Now Online

By Dan Johnson || September 12, 2021 6 Comments (Edit)

On the final day of the Midwest LSA Expo 2021, winds came up as predicted and energy levels began to come down to Earth, but it was a fitting conclusion to what appeared to be a very successful show. I talked to people from all over, several from California two thousand miles to the west. Most attendees were probably midwestern pilots but a a surprising number of visitors came a long way, hailing from both coasts. The reputation for this event, now finishing its thirteenth year, has grown beyond what many once anticipated. I'd still call it a regional event but one with a long reach. Pilots came to examine aircraft, to see how they fit in them, to learn more about ones of particular interest, to learn more about developments in the industry (see FAA update video below), and to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow recreational pilots. Smiles were plentiful. Quite a few pilots made purchase decisions and went away with an order confirmation in hand. I spoke with numerous vendors who reported at least one and in multiple cases more than one order was taken at the show. Many good prospects had ample time to talk to airplane reps and everyone seemed pleased about the experience. The only downside: lead times are up. Some vendors are quoting delivery well into 2022. Between Day 2 and 3, Videoman Dave worked through the night to edit the video you see below. This is the full version of the talk given to an SRO crowd at Mt. Vernon.

Gleaming G1 STOL Four Distinctive Features

On the last day, I recorded more video interviews including one with Mark Mellicker, the U.S. rep for the G1 STOL. Also see more about G1 in my Midwest 2021 preview.

This is the aircraft I saw in Germany at the Aero show several years ago. It was displayed exactly as seen here (though this view was taken before the space was completely set up). Note how the flaps and ailerons fold up over the wing.

We had seen an example at both Sun 'n Fun and Oshkosh 2021, so it was clear this company was on the move to market their short takeoff and landing entry in the kit aircraft space. When I studied G1 at Midwest, I discovered four features that differentiate this entry from those that look similar. Here are G1 specifications. The design is not new; it has more than a 20 year history in Europe where I had first seen it at the Aero Fridrichshafen show. In Germany a G1 displayed with wings folded and on a trailer caught my attention initially because it was fitted with hand controls, allowing a pilot without the use of his or her legs to fly the machine. I find this a worthy development to help others get in the air. That's one feature. Only after the fact did I even pay attention to the wing fold, another distinction. Many light aircraft enthusiasts will note that G1 looks very similar to Zenith's CH-750, a shape that has attracted numerous entries. Decades back, Chris Heintz designed the CH-701 and Zenith Aircraft in Mexico, Missouri later developed the 701 into the wider, more comfortable CH-750 variation. The U.S. company sells both models today, but the 750, with its bulging doors can accommodate larger Americans better.

Various other producers have adapted this general shape and developed their own versions. I've reported on at least six such: CH-750 (the original, along with the 701); ICP's Savannah of Italy, SP30 from Russia, Sila from Serbia, and G1 from France. Even this list is not complete. G1 was reportedly modeled after yet another, the now-discontinued Alisport Puma. Clearly, this is a popular form of aircraft. Read G1 America's FAQs for more information. One unique aspect of G1, however, is its folding wings. Another quality is the curved-corner fuselage, which is made easier for builders thanks to use of precision match-hole construction developed with CNC equipment, plus a substantial amount of work already completed from the factory. Wing and fuselage are largely built before shipping to Canada and USA.

Mark said they estimate someone with average mechanical aptitude will need only 300 hours to assemble the kit. A customer who has built any kit previously could possibly assemble G1 in significantly less time, Mark believes. Use of match-hole construction makes it far more builder-friendly. Wings and fuselage comes significantly assembled with a minimum number of rivets already in place to keep the skins where they belong. Builders earn their 51% contribution by pulling a lot of rivets (among other duties). A hydraulic pulling tool — available for around $100 — would be a smart investment, saving not only your wrist muscles but also more consistently pulling rivets. "Match-hole," for those that don't know, means that CNC equipment has punched rivet holes in the right places so precisely that a user a builder can literally take a bag full of clecos, join the skins more firmly, and start riveting.

Also notice the folded-forward joystick. Both joysticks move together.

G1's fuselage construction further sets it off from others. You may recall that a CH-701 has a rather boxy fuselage. This is probably easy for homebuilders but lacks the smooth appearance G1 shows with its gently curved corners. As the nearby image shows, this is possible again due to CNC, match-hole, and the factory using their jigs to get most parts already in the right place. In addition to riveting, plumbing, electrical and other other construction steps, a primary task for the builder is to join the wings to the fuselage, a step of some precision to get the dihedral right, and to assure the wing-join mechanisms work to facilitate folding the wings. Not only does G1 have a folding wing mechanism, but I found it unique. Again, nearby images will show the base of the wing struts are arranged in such a way to allow the wing to pivot from the middle rather than the trailing edge, as is common in designs like Kitfox, for example.

The first G1 in North America was bought in finished form from France. The polished aluminum models seen in other photos is Mark Mellicker's first-in-the-U.S. G1 STOL.

When I looked at G1's wing fold, I couldn't quite envision how it worked until Mark explained that the flaps and ailerons are also designed to flip up over the wing such that when you fold the wings they actually cover a portion of the fuselage, keeping the width within the 8 feet that is needed to trailer this on most roadways. Linkages stay connected. It's a pretty slick method and one that shows this is not a copy of the CH-750. Find more comparisons here. A fourth interesting aspect of the design is its fold-forward control sticks. They move together and have no pins or levers. You merely push the joystick forward to the floor. When doing so, you'll feel the over-center design that holds it flat to the flow, greatly easing cockpit entry. Once in, just pull it aft and prepare to taxi. In summer 2021, he G1 kit sells for $39,500 and a build-center-assist ready-to-fly model can get airborne for $79,500, depending on equipment an owner wants and the level of finish desired. A video to follow will show all these features in more detail as Mark Mellicker will provide additional information.

The following talk, given on September 10, 2021 at Mt. Vernon, updates the latest we know (or think we know) about FAA's MOSAIC regulation in progress. While all this could change due to the fluid nature of rule writing, this is the best information we have today. Note that this is a lengthy video. https://youtu.be/1o7d3J_DqxQ

Midwest 2021 Day 2: Update about FAA’s MOSAIC Regulation, then Flying the Fusion & Chasing the Fox

By Dan Johnson || September 11, 2021 13 Comments (Edit)

Midwest LSA Expo's forum organizers called it a "record crowd" that turned out to hear my talk about coming changes in FAA's latest regulation. Some 95 pilots entered their email on an FAA Wings credit sign-in sheet and that didn't include everyone present. This topic always generates lots of interest. A number of vendors told me they wanted to attend but couldn't because they didn't feel they could leave their exhibit. It was that busy today. That's a great problem: plenty of people who want to talk to you. Plus I told them I was recording my presentation and they could catch it later… soon, in fact. I've already uploaded the video to Videoman Dave, who remains stuck in Canada, unable to get across the border. I hope you can see it in a few days. Day 2, Friday the 10th, was a strong day, even better than Thursday's good early start. Add in another beautiful day plus the Orange Shirt (volunteer) Crew doing a terrific job of taking care of everyone — Midwest LSA Expo has blossomed into a fine event. Even though foot traffic seemed good today, any visitor could talk to a vendor as long as they want. It makes for well-informed consumer and satisfied exhibitors who can interact with customers and prospective customers and provide demo flights.

So, What's the Word?

I'll make this quick. You can get much more detail on the hour-long video to follow quite soon. Here I'll hit some high points that seemed to generate the most interest from the live audience.

This slide was presented to an industry audience as part of an annual briefing from the Light-Sport Aircraft office. Note the word "Concepts." This rule is not complete and the points on this slide are not guarantees or assurances. Nonetheless it gives a revealing look at what rule writers are considering.

In FAA's slide you can glean quite a bit of their thinking at this time. PLEASE NOTE — Information on this slide comes under the title "Concepts." These words are not part of a formal proposal and should not be considered binding or permanent. Yet reading the words is illuminating: "Improve aircraft performance … with increased useful load, non-reciprocating engines (meaning electric, certainly, but possibly other types), constant-speed props, retractable landing gear." Much of the slide transmits a willingness to extend extra privilege, to let industry do more, including deciding what "docile to fly" means. The red-circled item gives a clue as to the size or weight of future LSA. Exemptions have been given to Icon for their A5 seaplane, Terra Fugia for the Transition, and to Vickers for their Wave amphibian. The latter got an 1,850 pound exemption, so if that weight gets put into the FAR codes ("codifying"), that suggests future LSA could weigh 1,850 pounds and still be flown by a Sport Pilot. I repeat, no guarantees here, but this shines a light on their thinking.

Since to my similar talk a year ago — when I introduced the then-recently-devised term of Light Personal Aircraft …which is now gone! — lots and lots of pilots have written wondering if this or that general aviation airplane could be included as a LSA. Here's my response. First, they won't ever be a "LSA." All Standard (not Special) Airworthiness Category aircraft will retain their original certification. A Cessna 150 won't become a LSA. However, yes, it is possible that a Sport Pilot — or some higher rated pilot using Sport Pilot privileges — could fly a Cessna 150, Aeronca Champ, Piper Cherokee, or even a Cessna 172. The latter with four seats might have to be flown with only one passenger. As before, none of this is official or certain. Accept it as an indication of FAA's current thinking. We won't know for sure until we see the NPRM and I predict we'll see that at Oshkosh 2022.

So, how could a Sport Pilot be allowed to fly a larger aircraft, or possibly one with four seats, or one with retractable gear? All that is up to Flight Standards, the group that makes decisions about pilot privileges and flight operations. Unlike the aircraft certification department that is giving more work to industry (who might then chose methods they prefer), Flight Standards is unlikely to hand over any work to the industry. They may, however, use endorsements. The endorsement method is a proven system within FAA and it has worked exceedingly well for Sport Pilots flying Light-Sport Aircraft. If you are a student earning your Sport Pilot certificate, you might fly in a simple aircraft like a Quicksilver, so you'll emerge with an 87-knot limit. To fly a faster LSA, go get a checkout from an instructor in a faster aircraft. When he or she thinks you've got it, they'll endorse your logbook, sign their name and number, and off you go. That's it. No test or check ride. Indeed, this shows even Flight Standards is letting industry (instructors) make judgement calls. Endorsements also work for flying into complex airspace. Get trained and endorsed and go enter the nearby Class D or C airspace. The same is true if a Sport Pilot wants to fly a retractable gear LSA seaplane. Train. Endorse. Repeat. The method works. Could FAA use this method to graduate Sport Pilots into larger, faster, more capable Light-Sport Aircraft? I don't see why not; it already works. But, as with all the above, we'll see what FAA's final decisions are. When? My bet remains on Oshkosh 2022. Stay tuned!

Flying the Fusion Chasing the Fox

After concentrating on FAA rule making for the morning it was a great pleasure to go flying in the afternoon. Another beautiful day served up by Mt. Vernon. The green fields and forests surrounding MVN Outland Airport looked lush and verdant against a deep blue sky, picturesque stuff that.

I flew Magnus Fusion four years earlier. I liked it then and I like it even better now. This is one of the solidest airplanes I've ever flown. It simply feels tight and robust, quite comforting. Doma Andreka did a fine job flying the airplane showing me a standard demo routine as I requested. Having accumulated 400 hours in less than a year, it is clear he is at one with Fusion. My theory is that since I'm the lucky one getting to go up in these planes I should be asking the same questions you might ask if you were the one aboard. Fair enough? We shot a video with a couple cameras inside recording the conversation. Those Video Pilot Reports are more complex to edit but I hope you'll see the Magnus SLSA the way I did today. Chasing the Fox? — Yeah, that. Making my first landing in Fusion, a big bird, approaching from the left, appeared to land in the middle of the runway. "That's odd," I thought, "but he'll fly off as we approach." I was seated on the right and couldn't see the animal as well. I continued. Doma could see better and said, "No! Go around! That's an animal on the runway." It was a fox, I saw, as it scrambled to the north. Doma had promptly announced it over the radio to advise others in the pattern. Chris Collins and his orange shirted volunteers, always manning the radio, immediately went on "wildlife duty," chasing the critter off the runway. What service! We went around and my subsequent landing went quite well… but more about that in the video to come. One more day of the Midwest LSA Expo tomorrow, Saturday 9/11. Winds are expected to rise but otherwise another continuation of the good weather we've enjoyed here in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Midwest LSA Expo‘s forum organizers called it a “record crowd” that turned out to hear my talk about coming changes in FAA’s latest regulation. Some 95 pilots entered their email on an FAA Wings credit sign-in sheet and that didn’t include everyone present. This topic always generates lots of interest. A number of vendors told me they wanted to attend but couldn’t because they didn’t feel they could leave their exhibit. It was that busy today. That’s a great problem: plenty of people who want to talk to you. Plus I told them I was recording my presentation and they could catch it later… soon, in fact. I’ve already uploaded the video to Videoman Dave, who remains stuck in Canada, unable to get across the border. I hope you can see it in a few days. Day 2, Friday the 10th, was a strong day, even better than Thursday’s good early start.

Midwest 2021 Day 1: Magnus Fusion Boasts Aerobatics for Upset Recovery Training

By Dan Johnson || September 10, 2021 6 Comments (Edit)

One area of light aircraft flight — LSA, kits, or ultralights — that gets less attention is aerobatics. "Oh, we can't encourage that from Sport Pilots," some lament, but those who say that are not considering one aspect of flight training that also gets less attention than it deserves: upset recovery training. Some call it unusual attitude recovery but the purpose is to prepare pilots for potentially threatening positions where the pilot should promptly execute practiced control actions to restore normal flight. When I did conventional flight instruction many years ago, we always included spin recovery training, even for the Private Pilot certificate. In those days, before any student was signed off for a checkride, he or she had likely done full spins to recovery. We thought it made good sense for pilots to at least know how to perform when they find themselves in unusual attitudes.

Built for Aerobatics Fusion 212

The handsome Fusion 212 you see in the nearby pictures was not initially conceived as a Light-Sport Aircraft. It was first built to perform in a Red Bull flight demonstrations series for two years. When that Red Bull pilot retired from performing, the Magnus team wanted to create an aerobatic trainer, and, as they said, "Fusion 212 was born."

Magnus Aircraft in Hungary developed Fusion 212 as a training aircraft because while having a very strong wing, it also exhibits predictable flight qualities. When I flew it I found the controls brisk but not overly sensitive, a good combination. I also clearly recall, when maneuvering in Fusion, that it felt extremely solid. Later I learned that this aircraft uses a single-piece wing (as does the Cirrus SR series). This no doubt aided the tight feel I experienced. At that time the man in charge of Magnus in the USA was not stressing the aerobatic capability. In a 2018 article announcing the Fusion as the newest SLSA in the U.S. market, this appeared: “This low-wing monoplane [has a] symmetrical wing profile that provides it with superb aerobatic capabilities,” said Magnus Aircraft. However, the company advised, “While the aircraft has aerobatic capabilities … as a Normal Category SLSA aircraft, Fusion 212 is presently limited to a maximum of 60 degrees of bank and a maximum pitch up or down of 30 degrees when operating in the United States.”

Magnus Aircraft is represented by Doma Andreka.

Now, younger representative Doma Andreka speaks for the Hungarian company in revealing that they are pushing flight school sales when upset recovery training is offered. Fusion certainly looks the part. Perhaps it was a different (and striking) paint job on the 2021 model I examined at Midwest LSA Expo but I was immediately caught by the flatness of the upper wing surface. On looking at the also-flat underside I recalled that Fusion 212 uses a symmetrical airfoil, not uncommon on high performance aerobatic aircraft. Fusion's span is also tight at just 27.3 feet plus it employs a dual-taper planform. Fusion's cruciform tail is placed higher to be in clear air all the time. In 2021, Magnus in America is employing a different approach and it appears to be working.

As head of Magnus Aircraft's U.S. operation, Doma is an ideal candidate. He has worked in the factory in Hungary for some years, as head of communications and marketing. As the Hungarian company sought to pursue business in America, the leadership sent Doma to Texas to help Fusion 212 earn its SLSA Special Airworthiness Certificate. In 2021 alone Doma reported selling seven aircraft and expects to log a couple more before the year ends. That's a solid start to the refreshed Magnus America enterprise in the USA. Although this sturdy aircraft may be optimized for aerobatics the images nearby show this is a comfortable traveling machine as well. Going gross country knowing an aircraft can handle turbulence is reassuring. As Doma next plans to promote Fusion 212 in the uberactive aviation state of Florida, I'm sure we'll be seeing more Fusions and if some of them appear to be upside down… perhaps they are!

Watch for our 2021 video interview to learn even more. Until the new one is done this after-flight review contains a lot of information about Fusion. (Video shot at Sebring in 2018.)

https://youtu.be/XT81llA7ww8

One area of light aircraft flight — LSA, kits, or ultralights — that gets less attention is aerobatics. “Oh, we can’t encourage that from Sport Pilots,” some lament, but those who say that are not considering one aspect of flight training that also gets less attention than it deserves: upset recovery training. Some call it unusual attitude recovery but the purpose is to prepare pilots for potentially threatening positions where the pilot should promptly execute practiced control actions to restore normal flight. When I did conventional flight instruction many years ago, we always included spin recovery training, even for the Private Pilot certificate. In those days, before any student was signed off for a checkride, he or she had likely done full spins to recovery. We thought it made good sense for pilots to at least know how to perform when they find themselves in unusual attitudes. Built for Aerobatics Fusion 212 The handsome Fusion 212 you see in the nearby pictures was not initially conceived as a Light-Sport Aircraft.

Midwest 2021 Day 0: Aircraft Arriving and Weather Looks Perfect; Come Join Us!

By Dan Johnson || September 9, 2021 9 Comments (Edit)

Many readers know I love this event, the Midwest LSA Expo at Mt. Vernon, Illinois airport about one hour's drive east of St. Louis, Missouri. Led by capable, enthusiastic, and friendly Chris Collins, this has become a regular event for many… that is, many vendors, many pilots, and me. I only missed once when we were facing a major hurricane in Florida. This will my 12th but it is officially the 13th annual running of the show. Nearby you'll see a roster of expected vendors. Now, as we all know agonizingly well, these are strange times so things can change and some promises can't be kept but the nearby table shows which aircraft Chris is expecting. I have my fingers crossed for all of them but Midwest LSA Expo has been a good draw and many vendors return year after year. Why do people keep returning? Because pilots enjoy looking over aircraft in a more relaxed manner than is possible at crowd-jammed events like Oshkosh or Sun 'n Fun. Airplane reps keep coming back because they make sales in Mt. Vernon. Many have said these smaller shows are better because they can spend the time with pilots as needed to answer all their questions. Once so satisfied, pilots in the market turn into buyers. It's all good.

Other exhibitors include A&M Airsports, Aviation Insurance Resources (AIR), Certus, Flights for Christ, Garmin, Kanardia, Midwest Sky Sports, Leading Edge Air Foils (LEAF), Mission Aviation Fellowship, SRT Aviation, Powerlift (doors), and UL Power. Disclaimer: Midwest LSA Expo and the exhibitors shown make no appearance guarantees. State-by-state travel restrictions may impact attendance.

For Example: G1 STOL

I saw the fellows representing G1 STOL at Sun 'n Fun 2021, Oshkosh 2021, and they are on the roster for Midwest 2021. That's an energetic airshow schedule and I admire the effort they're making to put this interesting aircraft in front of the American pilot.

G1 STOL exhibiting at Sun 'n Fun 2021.

Several years ago, I interviewed a gentleman from France as he represented G1 at the German Aero show. I was doubly intrigued because his show G1 was fitted for hand control, something he said he did for himself. This is a hand-control-capable aircraft that can operate off-field, given its very short takeoff and landing operation. The importer calls G1 STOL a "unique tricycle-gear adventure aircraft [that] can get you in and out of tight places without a tailwheel rating." G1 STOL, as it will be known in America, looks to qualify easily to be flown by someone using Sport Pilot privileges. Sold only as a kit, G1 America stated a 300 hour build time, a modest number for an aircraft like this. In January 2020 G1 was approved by FAA as an “Advanced Quick Build” kit, the U.S. representative said. I look forward to examine G1 STOL much more carefully tomorrow and hopefully to produce both an article and a video about this machine for your review at home. That's the reason why I keep returning to Midwest LSA Expo year after year. Join me in the next few days and I'll report more like the aircraft you see here.

G1 In America

G1 America is the official American dealer for G1 Aviation of France. Founded by Lionel Neels of Belgium (living in Canada since 2016), the importer has contracted with American Mark Mellicker.

G1 STOL seen at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021.

Last year, G1 America signed a partnership with Mark to put him in charge of all customers in the USA. Mark also offers a completion center and can give demo flights in Illinois. Mark flies a G1 STOL equiped with a Yamaha snowmobile engine conversion producing 140 horsepower.

G1 America said, "We provide support in cooperation with our French team from G1 Aviation France."

G1 Aviation in France was begun in 2006-2007 by Serge Présent and Yvan Lhermitte when they created the G1 Gélinotte, derived from the Italian-designed Alisport Yuma airplane with several design improvements.

"G1 STOL has been designed with two engine firewall packages: D-Motor LF-26 making 95 horsepower or the LF-39 version making 125 horsepower; and, the Rotax 912 series. "We are the master distributor of D-Motor engines as well," the company reported.

Let's see what else I can discover. Come on along…!

Many readers know I love this event, the Midwest LSA Expo at Mt. Vernon, Illinois airport about one hour’s drive east of St. Louis, Missouri. Led by capable, enthusiastic, and friendly Chris Collins, this has become a regular event for many… that is, many vendors, many pilots, and me. I only missed once when we were facing a major hurricane in Florida. This will my 12th but it is officially the 13th annual running of the show. Nearby you’ll see a roster of expected vendors. Now, as we all know agonizingly well, these are strange times so things can change and some promises can’t be kept but the nearby table shows which aircraft Chris is expecting. I have my fingers crossed for all of them but Midwest LSA Expo has been a good draw and many vendors return year after year. Why do people keep returning? Because pilots enjoy looking over aircraft in a more relaxed manner than is possible at crowd-jammed events like Oshkosh or Sun ‘n Fun.

A Genuine Part 103 Helicopter plus a Turbine-Powered Model — Both Priced Fairly

By Dan Johnson || September 1, 2021 12 Comments (Edit)

Those words almost don't belong in the same sentence: "afford" and "helicopter." Most pilots have little idea how much they cost because they're seen as expensive and devilishly hard to fly. A Robinson R22, the company's lowest cost two seater, starts at $325,000. So, are all helicopters expensive and difficult to fly? "No," say Composite FX representatives. As helicopters go, light weight can aid ease of operation. The low mass of Part 103 ultralights can be optimal in some situations but don't take my word for it. With this article I present two fresh videos about this company and their aircraft.

Part 103 to Turbines

Perhaps you accept that Composite FX's XEL Part 103 model can legitimately make Part 103 using some lightweight floats — and yes, this is legal and proper, see this FAA document guiding field personnel. That model uses the MZ202 engine.

The XE290 is equipped with a more powerful engine, additional fuel, and more instrumentation. Of course, you have to build this one but they can help at the factory. Their top-of-the-line is the XET, with "T" for "Turbine." The factory guys seem most stoked about this and no wonder. All XEs, regardless of model, run their engines at high revs during most of the flight. Such engine operation and the need to direct power two ways and at two speeds is why original creator John Uptigrove's transmission simplification was so important. Usually, helicopters have a costly, heavy, maintenance-intensive transmission to take some engine power and send it to the tail rotor at a higher speed while the rest is used to power the main rotor at a much lower speed. Instead of gears, Uptigrove substituted cog belts for this transmission. The quality of belts has so improved that they are now considered to be highly dependable. Cogs, like gear teeth, insure against slippage.

This simpler method is a key reason why not only are the XE helicopters well priced but why they have fewer repair problems and are significantly lighter in weight. Cog belts must be changed every five years even if they appear to be in excellent condition. To avoid blowouts, semi-truck operators also change tires every five years whether visually needed or not. However, unlike big truck tires, the XE helicopter cog belts are modestly priced around $50, which seems like mighty cheap insurance for such a critical part.

Are They Safe?

First, would you call aviation safe? You probably would and I'd agree. Yet most people looking at our lovely little airplanes suspect we are either crazy or thrill seekers. Are pilots who think helicopters are inherently dangerous equally myopic?

Composite FX's engine shop modifies T62-T2A Solar Turbine engines, often used as an APU, or Auxiliary Power Unit. They produce a steady 95 horsepower.

As Norbert explained, the light weight of the aircraft combined with that 19-foot, fast-spinning flywheel called the main rotor can make the action of auto-rotating much easier (though he advises you still have to act within one second of engine failure to maintain rotor speed). Simplifying, auto-rotating means turning a helicopter into a gyroplane and gliding to a landing. Learn more by visiting their web page or by viewing the two videos below. Composite FX's XE line heightened my interest in rotary-winged aircraft. You could be similarly affected.

Helicopter SLSA Coming?

It's too early to know but FAA's upcoming regulation may possibly accommodate rotary-winged aircraft — in addition to finally letting gyroplanes qualify as SLSA. As the agency significantly changes the rules for Light-Sport Aircraft, new doors could open.

Composite FX personnel showed interest in looking into this opportunity and it is not unreasonable for FAA to at least consider these aircraft assuming appropriate ASTM standards can find acceptance (no helicopter standard has yet been proposed). XE safety does not pose a problem; Composite FX has delivered around 500 units and only two suffered serious accidents, according to the factory.

Composite FX's Norbert Richter observes while a technician programs a CNC machine in their factory.

Another challenge for XET as a SLSA: FAA permitted only piston engines for LSA when they issued their first regulation in 2004. A reason given for this requirement — which regrettably also eliminated any chance of electric propulsion although this will be fixed in the new reg — was to prevent turbine powerplants. They were considered too complex for Sport Pilots. Yet ask any pilot or mechanic with jet engine experience and they'll say turbines, which spin at very high revolutions, are actually simple to operate. A company in Australia, TurbAero, has developed a small turbine that could be used on LSA and they have written a proposed ASTM standard for such powerplants. Maybe in 2024 you could buy a turbine XET ready-to-fly. Now, wouldn't that be something?

This first video is shorter (6 min.) and introduces you to the XE line of single place helicopters from Composite FX. You also get a close look at some of the hardware innovations that help Composite FX maintain modest prices. You may not believe the aerial "taxiing" you'll see in this video. https://youtu.be/FwF311qhf8U

This second video is a full-length interview (14 min.) with factory rep, Norbert Richter. We go through some history of the design and delve into details about construction, operation, and cost. Periodically, while the interview goes on you will be treated to some amazing flight footage. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/xO2rO84PjBc

A month ago as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 ended, the most popular article from my week of reporting from the big show focused on Composite FX. The Florida producer makes a line of single seat helicopters many pilots could actually afford. Those words almost don’t belong in the same sentence: “afford” and “helicopter.” Most pilots have little idea how much they cost because they’re seen as expensive and devilishly hard to fly. A Robinson R22, the company’s lowest cost two seater, starts at $325,000. So, are all helicopters expensive and difficult to fly? “No,” say Composite FX representatives. As helicopters go, light weight can aid ease of operation. The low mass of Part 103 ultralights can be optimal in some situations but don’t take my word for it. With this article I present two fresh videos about this company and their aircraft. Part 103 to Turbines Perhaps you accept that Composite FX’s XEL Part 103 model can legitimately make Part 103 using some lightweight floats — and yes, this is legal and proper, see this FAA document guiding field personnel.

Airshow Time (Again)! Get Ready for Midwest LSA Expo, the Best Little Airshow on the Circuit

By Dan Johnson || August 28, 2021 9 Comments (Edit)

Sun 'n Fun kicked off the 2021 season but also restarted the idea of returning to airshows. AirVenture Oshkosh proved it could be done on a grand scale. Now, the Midwest LSA Expo is almost here. This was nearly the only show in 2020 and it went well with no reported illness afterward but plenty of smiles on the faces of new airplane owners.

OK, look… someone will object anytime you use "best" as I did in my title. So you understand, I call the Midwest LSA Expo the "best little show on the circuit" because — thanks to highly-supportive airport manager, Chris Collins — LSA, Sport Pilot kit aircraft, and ultralights own the airfield for those few days. My video parter and I are permitted to roam anywhere on the airport looking for the best aircraft, the best stories, and to collect the best video and still images.

For this reason, Midwest has become the number one event for Videoman Dave and me and we are so deeply appreciative of Mt. Vernon Outland airport's high level of cooperation and good management and services from the orange-shirted volunteers. We love the others show, too, but Midwest works beautifully for us — and that means we get better content for you. My airline ticket is bought and I will be on-site for all three days of the show. As usual, I will provide daily reporting (who needs sleep?) C'mon! No entry fee; completely free to attendees. Close to a huge midwestern population. Great people keen to help you buy a plane, sell a plane, learn about planes, or simply talk aviation to your buddies. In town, you'll find plenty of lodging, restaurants, and other services.

Head to Mt. Vernon (1 Hour East of St. Louis)

"It is hard to believe, but in just over two weeks KMVN will host the Midwest LSA Expo for the 13^th consecutive year," wrote airport manager and general great guy, Chris Collins! I can't recall another airport manager I've ever met who is so dedicated to his airport and those who enjoy it.

The main ramp will offer many aircraft choices to those interested in LSA, Sport Pilot kits, or ultralights.

"The event features a great assortment of LSA including Part 103, STOL, and gyroplanes. This year’s forums/seminars lineup is one of the best ever. There really is something for everyone," Chris wrote in a two-weeks-out update. "You are always welcome at Midwest LSA Expo and Mt. Vernon Outland Airport!" I know from experience that he means it sincerely. Which company representatives will you see at Midwest 2021? Here's a page-full direct from the source. These are committments Chris has received but some may not show for technical or weather reasons and some not on this page inevitably arrive No matter; Chris calmly welcomes all. Last year, in a rare event for 2020, several companies were no-shows. Some were fearful of the virus and others didn't want their employees feeling threatened after they returned home from Mt. Vernon. That's all understandable but Chris had the necessary means to protect guests who were concerned.

Having attended all of these Midwest events (but one, due to an approaching hurricane in my home state of Florida), I can tell you — and many pictures prove — that social distancing is easy at Mt. Vernon. These sector-specific shows have smaller crowds. You can easily approach a vendor and have a conversation without getting close, if you prefer. Of course, Midwest won't have tens of thousands of airplanes and hundreds of thousands of visitors …and that's one of the main reasons it is so wonderful. Vendors can actually engage with you for an extended conversation without others waiting anxiously to talk to the same person.

More Advice from Chris

"We will have plenty of orange shirt volunteers to direct you so no worries when you get here. If you are driving or trailering in, please proceed to Gate #1 just north of the Koziara Terminal Building. You are welcome here anytime so if that means a Tuesday arrival, the welcome mat will be out.

"The shuttles (to and from hotels and restaurants in town, 15 minutes away) will begin with the first arrival. "Our Thursday afternoon party at the FBO (SRT Aviation) is back! Plan on a great post-Expo dinner at the conclusion of Day One. We are still working on the menu but rest assured there will be plenty of BBQ and drinks served in a great aviation atmosphere. "There will be daily safety briefings at 10:00 a.m. in the Koziara Terminal Board Room. Please plan to attend each day. If unable to attend daily, please ensure you are there on Thursday September 9, 2021. Each briefing will be short. "Mo-Gas will be available at the Expo. It is 91 Octane, no ethanol blend.

Vashon is schedule to return. Perhaps you can check out their IFR-ready version as seen at AirVenture.

"Bonnie Café (very popular with the townspeople!) is open daily inside the Koziara Terminal with no restrictions. The Café will have a limited sandwich menu available on the flightline also. "In addition to our rolling water distribution, we plan to have water stations on each end of the flightline. "The forums/seminars will remain in the Corporate Hangar. This year features our best lineup yet! "We are making electrical infrastructure improvements to our camping facilities. Each east side pedestal will have 30 amp. service. We will be three 50-amp service locations." As I've done every year, I'll be giving another forum and I plan to video record it as I did last year. Besides speaking to a full (but physically-distanced; nearby photo) audience, that video was quickly edited and uploaded by Videoman Dave*; it has been viewed more than 112,000 times. This year I'll try to update last year's FAA regulation talk with the changes I believe are coming. Buckle up!

* As with AirVenture Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun 2021, Videoman Dave was again denied entry, even after Homeland Security said media was deemed "essential." That judgement doesn't include YouTube, I guess, even though the popular app has far more viewers than mainstream news these days. If this has any good side to it, perhaps it is that Dave can edit videos quickly if I can send them to him fast enough.

Sun ‘n Fun kicked off the 2021 season but also restarted the idea of returning to airshows. AirVenture Oshkosh proved it could be done on a grand scale. Now, the Midwest LSA Expo is almost here. This was nearly the only show in 2020 and it went well with no reported illness afterward but plenty of smiles on the faces of new airplane owners. OK, look… someone will object anytime you use “best” as I did in my title. So you understand, I call the Midwest LSA Expo the “best little show on the circuit” because — thanks to highly-supportive airport manager, Chris Collins — LSA, Sport Pilot kit aircraft, and ultralights own the airfield for those few days. My video parter and I are permitted to roam anywhere on the airport looking for the best aircraft, the best stories, and to collect the best video and still images.

Video Bonanza! Despite Covid and Distance, Fresh Light Aircraft Videos Continue to Arrive

By Dan Johnson || August 23, 2021 3 Comments (Edit)

For 18 months, the world has been under assault from a bug so small you can't see it without a big microscope. Plenty of us are hungry to return to what we once quaintly called "normal." Hundreds of thousands of people at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 started back on that path!

The night airshow continued to be very popular with large crowds (image from EAA)

Let's review: Lots of people. Lots of exhibitors. Perhaps a record number of aircraft flown to the show by visitors. Airplanes were selling, according to many vendors. Weather was good; it only rained at night. No serious accidents. No subsequent reports of any "superspreading." I'd say it's all good, except… I was able to gather lots of material and put up daily posts. That made for very long days and short nights of sleep but it's what many readers have asked for and I'm happy to oblige. What I did not do was shoot enough video. In the five days I attended, my Apple Watch said I walked almost 75 miles, nearly 15 miles a day on average. That's because Homeland Security denied entry to my Canadian video partner, Videoman Dave. He usually has wheels we can use to zoom around the mile-and-a-half-long airshow grounds. Without him I had to plan more efficient use of my time — covering specific areas of the show each day — but I still walked a lot every day. I'm not complaining. I exercise every day at home so this was not particularly difficult but trotting everywhere drinks up a lot of time. For this reason and because I had to carry my video gear, I did not get much video, certainly not our usual full-race pace. Nonetheless…

You've Got Video!

For a few airshows now, I've had to do my job and Videoman Dave's job.

Maybe I should clarify: I mean the on-site camera work plus the keeping track of what we're doing next, handling a load of gear, planning the next day's video stories, downloading huge video files each evening and placing them somewhere to be used later, and charging up everything you own as you sleep. While we're shooting a video, Dave takes a director's view of where we're going and guides us along. He's also very aircraft-savvy so if we lack a piece of information, he can often provide it. The show must go on, you know. Despite the challenges of working at a great distance, I've been sending loads of raw video up to Dave in Canada and he has been editing away hour upon hour. In this article, I want to introduce you to four recently released videos I think you will enjoy. Merlin New-Age Electric / Innovative — One of the most innovative creations I saw at Oshkosh was Merlin Lite with DEP-OD. Huh?

Aeromarine-LSA's Merlin Lite now has a much longer wingspan helping the model stay within Part 103 parameters. The inset features another development using this platform.

The military-like abbreviation means Distributed Electric Propulsion – On Demand. "Yeah, what does that mean," you ask? While this electric-aided aircraft was a demonstrator — not the Merlin Lite Part 103 aircraft Aeromarine-LSA is about to start delivering — it could become a Part 103, possibly. That isn't important because the two Merlin versions are for different needs. A Part 103 Merlin Lite already needs so little room to take off and land that shortening it is hardly necessary for regular use. Merlin Lite will come with the new Polini 303 that is sweeping championships and, in a surprise outcome, bolting on the new engine resulted in more legroom. My first introductory article about Merlin Lite was our most-read story for all of 2020. In this video learn the latest changes to this flying machine that attracted so much interest. https://youtu.be/Gaah_1WBViU

Oh-So-Fast JMB VL3 / Speedster — Shooting like lightning across the sky, JMB is now beginning to install and deliver their sleek speed machine with Rotax's potent 915iS.

With the potent Rotax 915iS installed in JMB's VL3 the European speedster will continue to be one of the fastest in the sky.

How fast can you go on 6-7 gph? Pretty darn fast. In the video below, we saw some of VL3's impressive speed capability while being propelled by Rotax's turbo 914. No question remains in my mind that this is one of the genuine speedsters in the LSA space …in fact, it will give a good run to most kit-built aircraft. At Oshkosh, as at Sun 'n Fun, importer Alion Aviation — joined at AirVenture by JMB Aircraft boss, Jean-Marie Guisset — displayed their VL3 with Rotax's most powerful 915iS turbocharged, intercooled, 141-horsepower engine. This seems to fulfill the prophecy that "if something is good, then more is better, and too much is just enough." I'd say you should keep your eye on VL3 except you might need to look quickly to catch this one. Like many airplane exhibitors, Jean-Marie lead his team to protect their smooth birds when hail threatened one night at Oshkosh. No damage was reported but the team got a bit less sleep moving their aircraft to protect them. https://youtu.be/xdWaP_DWkT4

Roomy and Well-Behaved Montaer MC01 / Touring — One of the most common questions I get involves payload. How much stuff can you carry and how do big fellows fit?

Talk about spacious… and Montaer's MC01 has even more room aft of the seats, with a third door to access it.

I get it. We enjoy eating our hamburgers and we want to carry our gear with us. Some LSA are rather limited but others, well… how about this roomy choice? One of the newest entries, Montaer found a good home (and representation) by linking up with Alex Rolinski and his Aero Adventure team at the DeLand airport. They recently moved into new quarters not far from their former location. Once all the inventory and tooling are fully relocated, the Montaer USA crew will sell and service the Montaer in an interesting cooperation with the group at nearby Seamax USA. Aero Adventures already does service work for Seamax LSA in addition to supporting their Aventura line. Now they will have this all-metal, high wing, big-capacity Light-Sport Aircraft, the MC01. With its cavernous interior, three-door access, and finely-finished wing (just try to find the rivets on this beauty!), Montaer's new flying machine will start its U.S. distribution. Alex reported they sold the first models at AirVenture 2021. https://youtu.be/z7lx43BIOZQ

Affordable and Handsome Ultralights / Affordable — Tri-State is one of those companies that's been around a long time yet you may still not know of it. Well, that won't do. You should know about Smithsilvers or Quicksmiths (casual, not official references).

Artful sail work is only one of the skills Tr-State Kite Sales brings to market. Most components of the "Smithsilver" line are produced in-house.

Tri-State Kite Sales, which did not exhibit at AirVenture, remains one of America's best-kept secrets about highly affordable aircraft. A strong local community has built up around the Mark Smith-created enterprise …a loyal bunch of customers any manufacturer would love to serve. While the model closely resembles the Quicksilver line (represented today by Air-Tech, Inc.) and while Tri-State does make many after-market components for the popular brand, Tri-State has their own whole aircraft as seen in the video below. The company fabricates all parts in house including the artful job of sewing the Dacron wings used on this line of aircraft. In fact, they do lots of replacement and original equipment part making, enough so that they stay very busy and going to every airshow — even big ones like Oshkosh — have not been a priority. Hopefully, they'll make a return visit to the Midwest LSA Expo coming up in just a couple weeks. Come check it out; I hope to see you in Mt. Vernon, Illinois September 9, 10, and 11, 2021. https://youtu.be/-bzi2HN2hd4

For 18 months, the world has been under assault from a bug so small you can’t see it without a big microscope. Plenty of us are hungry to return to what we once quaintly called “normal.” Hundreds of thousands of people at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 started back on that path! Let’s review: Lots of people. Lots of exhibitors. Perhaps a record number of aircraft flown to the show by visitors. Airplanes were selling, according to many vendors. Weather was good; it only rained at night. No serious accidents. No subsequent reports of any “superspreading.” I’d say it’s all good, except… I was able to gather lots of material and put up daily posts. That made for very long days and short nights of sleep but it’s what many readers have asked for and I’m happy to oblige. What I did not do was shoot enough video. In the five days I attended, my Apple Watch said I walked almost 75 miles, nearly 15 miles a day on average.

Beyond AirVenture — Light Aviation Globally and Circumnavigating the Globe by Shark (LSA)

By Dan Johnson || August 16, 2021 2 Comments (Edit)

For a week last month, the center of the aviation universe was headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — population around 50,000 until AirVenture brings in five times that many on the biggest days.

AirVenture Oshkosh is arguably the most important aviation event in the world each year, bringing people together from all points on the compass… or, at least it usually does. For 2021, international representation was far below the usual. I don't have hard numbers but few of my overseas airshow friends could make this year's event.

Internationally-Speaking

Despite the lack of international visitors EAA AirVenture Oshkosh afforded a large helping of personal contacts and conversations. Even in the age of Zoom and Skype, Facebook and Twitter, websites and YouTube channels, meeting in-person retains immense value, both personally and professionally. My article about the FAA "pivot" reported one of those fortunate meetings; same for the XE Part 103 helicopter resulting in our most-read Oshkosh 2021 article.

One objective of mine was achieved when a trusted, reliable source provided me with hard data about the state of the light aviation industry around the world. Most readers know I follow the U.S. market info closely and our Tableau Public website can satisfy those who want to drill all the way down to every last N-number-registered Light-Sport Aircraft or light kit aircraft that a Sport Pilot may fly. What I lacked was international data. Now, I'm privileged to have some valuable information and I'd like to share some of the insights. Since Americans buy lots of imported vehicles of all types, knowing the larger light aircraft market is good for buyers and pilots like to be well informed. I promised not to reveal either the source nor detailed specifics but much can still be gleaned from the data I received. Here I will provide a few glimpses. (For true data hounds, I might dive deeper later.)

How Do They Stack Up? Global Fully-Built Light Aircraft

Viewed through the lens I was given, more fully built LSA or LSA-like aircraft are produced each year in other countries than in the USA. A portion of these are sold in the USA.

My neighbor and hangar mate, Roger Jennings poses with his new-to-him Tecnam P2008. Look for a future Video Pilot Report.

Generally, the rest of the world has focused much more on light aircraft than American developers. Two seat aircraft are far more common outside the U.S. Most other countries also drive smaller cars. Both facts may reflect much higher fuel prices. As always, this website focuses entirely on LSA, Sport Pilot kits, and 103 ultralights. All following numbers report solely on that segment. I surveyed 132 manufacturers of LSA or LSA-like aircraft as generally described above. More than 265 companies have produced in the last decade but about half are presently inactive when viewed through the dataset I studied. Production of this sector of aircraft has been remarkably steady through the last three years, including 2020 (production during the year of Covid was off only about 7% as seen through my dataset).

Pipistrel's sleek Virus.

Twenty of the 132 producers built more than 20 aircraft per year and five manufacturers exceeded 50 units per year. Overall around 1,500 fully-built LSA or LSA-like aircraft are added to the global fleet each year. This compares to around 700 LSA and Sport Pilot kits registered in America each year — making a roughly one-third/two-thirds relationship between the USA and the rest of the world (I repeat some of the 1,500 are delivered to U.S. customers). I caution you that this is very generalized information, may have errors, and cannot predict the future. The front-runners in this dataset were Tecnam and Pipistrel. These two producers clearly lead the world in fully-built light aircraft over the last three years, although BRM Aero (Bristell) is closing. Unlike the latter, which was quite steady throughout the Covid panic, both Tecnam and Pipistrel are well off their prior-year marks (down 39% and 33%, respectively, according to the dataset I examined where BRM was up 5% from 2019 to 2020).

Aeroprakt has been rising in the USA and enjoys very steady production.

Others in the top ranking accelerated or held very steady, including Aeroprakt (up 15% '19 to '20), Van's Aircraft (up 43% over those two years), and JMB (nearly identical all three years). Over all three years and averaging the results, Tecnam was well out in front at more than three aircraft per week, followed by Pipistrel, BRM Aero, and Aeroprakt, all building more than 1.5 aircraft per week on average. A large number of producers build 10-20 aircraft year after year while a mid-range group of 15 manufacturers bridge the gap between the leaders and smallest, "boutique" producers. In the data I acquired, American producers — looking only at fully-built aircraft — account for about 13%, lead by Van's and Icon. The dataset I am reviewing leaves out many kit-built aircraft that a Sport Pilot may fly and it may not reflect rising newcomers like Vashon. This analysis also omits rotary winged aircraft including gyroplanes.

Grouping U.S. kit-built registrations to the fully-built dataset, I can estimate worldwide light aircraft production (fully-built + kits) well exceeds 2,000 aircraft per year. This leaves out some kits in other countries, gyroplanes, and all Part 103 vehicles but represents a well-informed "guesstimate." When attempting to gather all light aircraft in the global fleet, this 2015 analysis remains the best information available to show how many light aircraft exist around the world.

The numbers prove themselves this way: Take 2,000+ new aircraft a year for 30+ years and you have approximately today's active fleet.

Teen Flying Around Globe

Zara Rutherford, age 19, is probably not your average young pilot. Here's her plan… "I am Zara Rutherford and my attempt is to be the youngest woman to fly solo around the world. Take off is planned for 10:30 local time on August 18th, from EBKT, Kortrijk Wevelgem Airport," the aspiring round worlder wrote in an email. "I am hoping my flight will get more girls and young women worldwide interested in STEM and aviation."

Do you think you have what it takes to fly around the world? At minimum, such a trek involves lot of hours in a fairly confined space plus a challenging amount of waiting (for weather, maintenance, permission). At worst, it could be intimidating and dangerous, for example when crossing the frigid North Atlantic. You also have to cope with foreign languages and different customs. Your body clock would be catching up for weeks.

Zara has a good aviation foundation. She reports traveling in small planes since the age of six, skydiving at 11, and flying a plane at 14. After all that why not go for broke at 19? Ah, youth! "I will be flying a Shark Light-Sport Aircraft," Zara wrote. She chose Shark for its speed (150 knots, she reports). "It has very long range, is very safe and is extremely capable." Shark is usually a tandem two seater but one seat has been removed to accommodate an extra fuel tank. The current female record holder is American, Shaesta Waiz who was 30 years old at the time of her circumnavigation in 2017. The youngest male record holder is just over 18 years old. Zara's round-the-world flight starts August 18 and updated plans predict a finish by November 4, 2021. Read more about Zara's world record attempt on her website.

Remembering a Friend

For recent posts from AirVenture, readers have seen my use of the image to the right. Accurate because I focus entirely on LSA, Sport Pilot kits, and ultralights, the title "The Light Stuff" sums up my goals well.

The title isn't new. For 14 years I wrote a column I called "The Light Stuff" for Kitplanes magazine. The column name was an adaptation of "The Right Stuff" movie about astronauts.

Through those years, a man I learned to deeply admire edited the publication. Many readers will recognize the name Dave Martin from earlier days. He had an impeccable reputation earned through thoroughness and fairness, capability and approachability. I could never slack off when preparing material for Dave. He could be a tough taskmaster but also acknowledged when a piece was good. My writing undoubtedly improved because of years of input he offered me. I so enjoyed working with him. With sadness I note his passing, alerted by mutual friend Phil Lockwood, developer of the AirCam (photo) in which Dave is seated when the two made a flight to the Bahamas. So long, Dave! Here's Kitplanes editor Marc Cook's eulogy.

For a week last month, the center of the aviation universe was headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — population around 50,000 until AirVenture brings in five times that many on the biggest days. AirVenture Oshkosh is arguably the most important aviation event in the world each year, bringing people together from all points on the compass… or, at least it usually does. For 2021, international representation was far below the usual. I don’t have hard numbers but few of my overseas airshow friends could make this year’s event. Internationally-Speaking Despite the lack of international visitors EAA AirVenture Oshkosh afforded a large helping of personal contacts and conversations. Even in the age of Zoom and Skype, Facebook and Twitter, websites and YouTube channels, meeting in-person retains immense value, both personally and professionally. My article about the FAA “pivot” reported one of those fortunate meetings; same for the XE Part 103 helicopter resulting in our most-read Oshkosh 2021 article.

AirVenture Aftermath: Light Aircraft Sales Are Strong — FAA Listens but Major Problems Persist

By Dan Johnson || August 8, 2021 12 Comments (Edit)

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 is one for the history books. Initial reporting from the big member organization suggests 2021 was a return to normal attendance and exhibitors were not far behind.

One can always find a few empty spots and wonder if they failed to sell yet it is equally likely a company bought the space but could not attend or exhibit for a variety of reasons. To my eyes and by the numbers, Oshkosh 2021 looked to be a home-run success. Stories will continue but here I want to address two very different views of AirVenture. On one hand vendors widely reported solid sales. On the other, FAA clarified some questions but raised others. Many frowns were reported when agency boss Steve Dickson held his "Meet the Administrator" session but let's look at the bright side first.

LSA – SP Kits – Ultralights Sold Well at Oshkosh

I did no survey and even if I had, what a vendor reports and what actually follows are rarely identical. However, a flow of unsolicited statements suggest that many airplane sellers reported taking multiple orders.

This is not a pace I heard at Sun 'n Fun 2021, for example. That first show of the year was more tentative. People were still frightened by unrelenting news on TV and Sun 'n Fun represented a first step back toward normal. Mind you, I considered the Lakeland show another big success; many others evidently decided by late July that the situation had improved enough for pilots to open their wallets. Pilots who acted sooner scored an earlier delivery. Many at Oshkosh heard deliveries were already being quoted well into 2022. At Sun 'n Fun we didn't hear that. My measurement of how the industry is doing is not only to assess the health of suppliers but the willingness of pilot consumers to think about a new purchase. Wary buyers hold back in times of uncertainty so sales of light aircraft at Oshkosh illustrates both pent-up demand and a sense of hopefulness by pilots expecting to get out and enjoy flying.

Used aircraft were also for sale and found buyers at AirVenture 2021. This handsome Quicksilver MX was Reserve Grand Champion in 1997. It's been so well kept, it looked brand new.

At least a dozen producers or representatives told me about two or more confirmed sales (usually meaning money exchanged hands). My back-of-the-envelope calculation projects 30-50 unit sales during the event — and most vendors report better than 1:1 sales after the event compared to sales at the event. If all these come to pass, hallelujah!, the industry is looking alive again. One segment that recorded excellent sales in the last two years is Part 103 ultralights. Based on multiple entries (see this article or a later one for examples that caught my eye), 103 is a highly active sector within light aviation. I heard less about sales in the scaled-back kit area of AirVenture, but the Big Five in this sector appear to be continuing their steady business.

Saying "So Long!" to An American Icon

Longtime readers of this website (very longtime readers, that is) will recall that when ByDanJohnson.com went live, hang gliding was still a significant part of our coverage. As Light-Sport Aircraft arrived in aviation and as ultralights subsequently went into a quiet period, hang gliders faded from my attention.

Bidding a very fond farewell to American hang gliding icon, Wills Wing, operating successfully for almost 50 years.

My changed focus, however, said nothing about hang gliding. While that activity has not grown much over the years, it has remained remarkably steady. Just like EAA, membership in the national USHPA (U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association) has also stayed the course. Now, a major change is happening as those who gave birth to the industry reach retirement. The longtime leading producer of hang gliders in America, Wills Wing, saw the departure of two key leaders, Mike and Linda Meier. This change triggered a notable development: Wills Wing is moving to Mexico. "What a fun day test flying the last gliders produced in Orange, California," wrote Wills Wing president, Steve Pearson. Test flying a couple gliders before delivery to customers, a 235 Alpha and full-carbon T3, he said, "They fly so-so nice! Couldn’t have picked anything that I would have enjoyed more."

Even as Wills Wing ceased manufacturing in the USA, the regional hang gliding group mounted a display at AirVenture 2021.

Then he added, "All the focus is on Valle from here on." He refers to Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Heading up the new south-of-the-border enterprise will be Rudy Gotes, a top-ranked competition pilot, and Wills Wing's longtime distributor in Mexico. Wills Wing president Steve Pearson will be joining the new company as a partner and will provide critical support in technology, manufacturing, customer support, and product design and development. Production facilities for the new company will be headquartered in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, known around the world for its consistent, year-round flying. In announcing this historic move, Steve listed some interesting facts: Wills Wing has been in business in California for 48.5 years. Over that time, WW-brand produced an amazing 29,368 gliders for an average of 606 aircraft per year. While hang gliders are much less expensive than airplanes, building 12 gliders a week, 2.5 every day, for 50 years represents a monumental achievement in aviation.

Owen Morse recently flew this very high-tech Wills Wing T3 to an out-and-return world record of 222.22 miles.

Congratulations to a job wonderfully well done for half a century to longtime Wills Wing proprietors — and personal friends of mine — Steve Pearson, Mike & Linda Meier, and Chris Wills. The lone remaining U.S. producer of hang gliders is North Wing, also a supplier of lightweight trikes plus fully-built SLSA weight shift aircraft.

Stupid Fed Tricks?

Having already written (here about the coming LSA regs and here about the instruction dilemma), I want to bring two additional perspectives to assure readers these concerns are not simply my own opinion. The first is the newest info, AVweb's July 31 report from AirVenture 2021. The second is composed of two videos that explain the situation in some depth.

Tom Peghiny (gesturing at right) helps FAA Administrator Steve Dickson better understand Light-Sport Aircraft. "He asked good questions," said Tom.

I urge you to consider all relevant information. This entire situation exploded into pubic view during the month of July 2021. For AVweb, journalist Russ Niles reported, "FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said it will take about four years to rewrite regulations governing flight instruction in aircraft other than those in the standard category and until that’s done instructors will need extra paperwork. Speaking at the annual 'Meet the Administrator' event at EAA AirVenture last Thursday, Dickson told the generally-disappointed crowd that in the meantime instructors will need a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) to teach people to fly in Experimentals. If they want to teach on Limited or Primary Category aircraft, they will need a written exemption. Dickson said he agreed the process is a 'big documentation exercise, no doubt' but it is also a legal necessity. 'I am not any happier about this situation than you are,' he said."

Lots of people expressed their view about LODAs (Letters of Deviation Authority) at AirVenture, some more clearly than others.

Russ continued, "The new requirement came into effect July 12, 2021, a few months after a legal battle with a Florida P-40 operator revealed a contradiction between the regs and the guidance issued by inspectors. 'We do need to rewrite the rule so that it says what we all want it to say,' stated Dickson while expressing that the agency is doing everything it can to expedite the LODAs and exemptions and most of those received so far have already been processed. He also said writing a new rule is a complex process that will take four years and that’s why the paperwork has a 48-month term."

Roy Beisswenger has taken a fresh lead in putting out great video information on FAA's actions. He was instrumental in aiding LAMA as the manufacturer organization lobbied FAA for improvements and upgrades to Light-Sport Aircraft regulations. In the following two videos Roy does a deep dive into FAA's latest stumbles. Two videos are presented below; both are helpful in understanding this situation. Both were prepared before the comments from AVweb above.) …from July 20, 2021… https://youtu.be/qIgkEohF5ck …from July 13, 2021… https://youtu.be/Am53SdP4xZE

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 is one for the history books. Initial reporting from the big member organization suggests 2021 was a return to normal attendance and exhibitors were not far behind. One can always find a few empty spots and wonder if they failed to sell yet it is equally likely a company bought the space but could not attend or exhibit for a variety of reasons. To my eyes and by the numbers, Oshkosh 2021 looked to be a home-run success. Stories will continue but here I want to address two very different views of AirVenture. On one hand vendors widely reported solid sales. On the other, FAA clarified some questions but raised others. Many frowns were reported when agency boss Steve Dickson held his “Meet the Administrator” session but let’s look at the bright side first. LSA – SP Kits – Ultralights Sold Well at Oshkosh I did no survey and even if I had, what a vendor reports and what actually follows are rarely identical.

AirVenture Day 5: Complying Part 103 Helicopter? …Not a Gyroplane? YES! …and Well Priced

By Dan Johnson || August 1, 2021 17 Comments (Edit)

What appeared in Composite-FX's display in the Fun Fly Zone were beautifully done flying machines that looked heavier and much more complex than John's original Mosquito. They are neither, fortunately. Owner Dwight Junkin and friend George Boynton replaced John's open-cockpit Mosquito with a composite fuselage using long experience with such constructions. Dwight's Florida company ultimately took over John's work, moving the contents of the Canadian’s workshop to his base in Trenton, Florida. In truth, not only is Composite-FX's XEL a compliant Part 103 helicopter, it is modestly priced and truly belongs with six other affordable flying machines in my AirVenture 2021 opening article. Given XEL is a full-on helicopter, always seen as very expensive aviation, an XEL that looks this good for $52,000 factory built is an excellent value if not a bargain.

Welcome to Part 103 Rotary Wing Flying

I mentioned a chance meeting. What does that mean? It turns out that when a few of us joined J Mont G (his on-air persona name) on EAA Radio from the Fun Fly Zone, I had a conversation with Composite-FX operations director, Norbert Richter, who asked me about FAA decisions reported a couple days ago (article).

This XE290 is an updated Experimental Amateur Built version of the original Mosquito. With an engine change and not much else being different, this could be the Part 103 model, XEL.

I told him something of high interest and as we explored this I finally got the message about the transition of Mosquito to XEL. Let's check out this second generation machine.

XEL qualifies as a Part 103 ultralight aircraft in the United States by complying with limitations as clarified in AC-103-7. Powered by the MZ202 engine and equipped with floats, XEL weighs in at 312 pounds. Regulations say it can weigh 314 pounds*. After John died, his company, Innovator Technologies, shut down and Composite-FX assumed the brand. Their work with John earlier and continuing on their own today has lead to more than 400 kit deliveries and about 150 XEL Part 103 ultralight helicopters flying in the USA.

Can You Fly a Helicopter?

I asked Robert how they handle flight instruction because Composite-FX only makes single place machines. While a two-place has been contemplated, that project has been shelved while other work demands their time; besides making four varieties of the original Mosquito, a non-piloted model has also found a market. Until a two-place model emerges, they recommend the popular Robinson 22 as a basic trainer although they note the R22 "is regarded universally as a 'squirrely' helicopter [due to] its tricky handling characteristics. While the Mosquito is smaller than an R22, it has more docile handling characteristics." Better training choices are a Hughes 269, Schweizer 300, or Enstrom, however, these are less available than the Robinson line.

The company also has a virtual reality training system that can help familiarize new pilots. On whole, Norbert felt it was reasonable for a new pilot to fly and he said most pilots will become rather capable in just 10-20 hours. As their XEL model complies with FAA Part 103 it may be purchased ready-to-fly from the factory in the United States. XEL is supplied with floats, "one of the features that allows it into the ultralight category*," noted the company. "Pilot training is not legally required to fly a compliant Part 103 ultralight but to encourage proper training, Composite-FX builds a $2,000 incentive into the price. A customer with a minimum of 10 logged hours of dual instruction receives a $2,000 discount. That won't pay for the whole 10 hours, Norbert said, but it will cover a good portion of the cost and encourages buyers to obtain at least minimal training.

The Mosquito derivative XE-series has been successful with more than 400 kits or fully-built 103 editions built (150 are Part 103 helicopters). The company is less sure about the number of delivered kits to get airborne as many have been sent overseas where it is difficult to track them but they believe more than 300 total units are flying. Based on a low number of accident/incident reports they appear to enjoy a decent safety record. That may be the best proof of a "docile to fly" designation.

Composite-FX XEL Part 103 Ultralight Helicopter SPECIFICATIONS all figures supplied by Composite-FX

Powerplant — MZ202, Carbureted, Air Cooled
Empty Weight — 312 pounds (142 kg) *
Gross Weight (240 pound pilot) — 610 pounds (275 kg)
Maximum Airspeed — 70 miles per hour (112 kph)
Cruise Speed — 62.5 miles per hour (101 kph)
Main Rotor Speed — 540 revolutions per minute
Tail Rotor Speed — 2,500 revolutions per minute
Climb Rate (estimated) — 900 feet per minute (4.5 m/sec)
Fuel Capacity — 5 gallons (18 l)
Fuel Consumption (estimate) — 5 gallons per hour (45 l/hr)
Flight Duration — 1 hour

* Calculation of empty weight for XEL is based on FAA's allowance of 60 pounds for floats. Adding that to the 254 pound maximum empty weight for a Part 103 ultralight vehicle yields an allowed total empty weight of 314 pounds. Landing on floats has been demonstrated, Norbert stated, but it is only advised for expert pilots on calm water as water makes an unstable surface. Demonstration is sufficient for FAA acceptance; XEL need not land on water all the time to qualify for the float allowance. Allowances are documented in FAA Circular AC-103-7.

EAB Models

Composite-FX's full XE-series model line includes the Part 103 ultralight XEL or three Experimental Amateur Built models: XE, XE 290, and turbine-powered XET. The XE is essentially the XEL with 12 gallons of fuel, while the XE 290 uses a more powerful engine and has a higher-than-103-compliant weight. XET is the flagship of the XE models. Powered by a modified T62-T2A Solar Turbine engine, "the XET sounds awesome with the quintessential turbine whine, smells great with the consumption of Jet A fuel, and is very powerful with a steady 95 horsepower."

An XET kit runs $50,000 before engine but a T62-T2A engine might be bought for as little as $12,500. For $15,000 more the factory will help you finish it. That makes $62,500 to $77,500 for a turbine-powered helicopter. Customers may build experimental category XE models on their own or through a factory-assist program, and the average build time is 400-500 hours. The Part 103 XEL is available in kit form or factory built.

Check this video where I get lessons in flying a Part 103 helicopter — the interview portion follows a general introduction to Mosquito that was added more recently. https://youtu.be/Yecu2ce9VbM

As EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 winds down to a conclusion, a chance conversation brought the handsome aircraft below into clearer focus. I already knew about Mosquito and received a briefing to fly one captured in this 2013 video. I did not grasp how the producer evolved after original developer John Uptigrove‘s unfortunate demise in 2018. What appeared in Composite-FX‘s display in the Fun Fly Zone were beautifully done flying machines that looked heavier and much more complex than John’s original Mosquito. They are neither, fortunately. Owner Dwight Junkin and friend George Boynton replaced John’s open-cockpit Mosquito with a composite fuselage using long experience with such constructions. Dwight’s Florida company ultimately took over John’s work, moving the contents of the Canadian’s workshop to his base in Trenton, Florida. In truth, not only is Composite-FX’s XEL a compliant Part 103 helicopter, it is modestly priced and truly belongs with six other affordable flying machines in my AirVenture 2021 opening article.

AirVenture Day 4: Generation 3 Ultralight Electrics — Where Electric Propulsion Works Today

By Dan Johnson || July 30, 2021 8 Comments (Edit)

A mid-week demonstration featured Europe's Volocopter and America's Opener BlackFly. The two (three actually, a pair of BlackFlys flew) demonstrated their eVTOL flying capability. They could hardly have been more different.

Billionaires are investing in, uh, what to call them? …drones, multicopters, eVTOLs, UASs, UAVs, Powered Lift aircraft, the list literally goes on and on. The lack of a widely accepted generic name is one of several indications these air taxis of tomorrow are still in a fairly distant tomorrow. Two industry experts gave me their judgment after viewing the Volocopter and BlackFly demonstrations. Both agreed the Volocopter presented better, performing a true demonstration of its vertical launch then transitioning to forward flight, manuevering, and then doing a landing. Both also said the BlackFly was much less impressive. "They just kind of bobbed and floated around, not doing any maneuvering or making a transition to forward flight," each agreed. Both wanted to like each aircraft but one clearly won in their minds. This story is not about either of these developmental vehicles, but here are two links for those interested in the Volocopter or BlackFly.

What's Working Today? Electric Part 103

In the lead photo (as seen on social media and our homepage), I imply that we are in a Generation 3 of electric aircraft. I admit that is completely arbitrary. The entire field is still too fluid to assign the likes of generations but let me explain my word choice.

I recall when Randall Fishman made some of the first public flights (at AirVenture and Sun 'n Fun 2007). His electric trike performed quite well and showed some clever thinking. Randall went on to more sophisticated electric designs but he was too ahead of the market. I'm calling that and similar experiments of their day Generation 1. They are modern-day pioneers. Then came a profusion of more sophisticated entries from around the globe. We have fixed wings, trikes, even gyroplanes that employed battery power to fly. Some of these got more elaborate. I even reported on a genuine hybrid electric C42 from Germany. I call the sum of all these developments Generation 2. These designs represent advances in electric propulsion state of the art. At AirVenture 2021, I saw two examples of what I'll call Generation 3 designs. These are battery electric designs but employ electric in different ways or use unconventional approaches. Fusion eNano — Earlier in the week, I wrote about the Fusion Nano seen in the ultralight area. This product is on-sale and presently uses a lightweight, higher revving Italian two-stroke engine (though the engine manufacturer may change). Nano is a Part 103-compliant gyroplane with a modest price tag. At the other end of the field is an electric project based on this platform. It's clearly early stage but appears an interesting concept employing dual ducted fans for thrust. Since it isn't done, it not worthwhile to speculate about how it will fly or what its range may be. They aren’t the first to try twin ducted fans. This Airbus project called E-Fan had a similar look. Nonetheless, a Fusion eNano as a legit Part 103, is workable as a battery electric propulsion aircraft. I hope we'll see it fly at a further AirVenture, but neither will I be holding my breath. So many of these electric projects don't seem to endure, even the ones funded by billionaires to the tune of many tens of millions of dollars. I hope this one lasts; it's intriguing. Merlin Lite — You look at the images of Merlin Lite and it clearly has a gasoline engine up front (a Polini), so why am I including it in an electric article? Because it has a very innovative "electric assist," I will call it. Develop Chip Erwin calls it DEP-OD, military-like nomenclature for Distributed Electric Propulsion – On Demand. These small wing motors, used briefly to enhance a phase of flight, need only a battery you can hold in your hand because they are not primary thrust power (though they add a good measure to the total).

I have a video in the works where Chip will explain this more fully and talk about its merits. Here I will note that accelerating airflow over ailerons is very helpful to slow speed flight and not a new idea. You may have seen the photos of a modified Tecnam Twin with multiple small electric motors lined up all along the leading edge. The idea is to accelerate airflow over the entire wing so this aircraft could perform feats a conventional Twin could not. By pushing air across the aileron, Merlin Lite with these small motors buried in the wings could maintain control down to nearly zero airspeed. The small wing mounted motor accelerates air over the wing, too, making for very, very short takeoffs. "It could cut takeoff roll by three times," Chip suggested.

So Merlin doesn't use electric power for main thrust but does make effective use of electric propulsion. As a side note, Merlin Lite definitely will be offered with battery electric for primary thrust. Combine the wing (and possibly tail) in-wing thrust units with main power and you could have an ultralight with up to six motors, said Chip. Does that sound like a lot? Maybe, but Volocopter has 18 motors. Electric has a future, I'm sure, but it has a present as well and it is in Part 103-type ultralights today. I'll try to keep up for those many of you intrigued by electric. Whatever the product timelines, these machines have large appeal.

Now something mostly for fun…

Jabiru importer and longtime industry expert Scott Severen demonstrated a rare but effective sales technique. His Jabiru J230-D has a cavernous aft cabin. It's that large because in Australia, the same airframe can be turned into a four seater. *** Scott entered the aft cabin through Jabiru's third door to answer question of a couple checking out an aircraft for sale. *** It appears her expression is one of approval …"Look at all that room back there!" Scott's lanky build and tall height appeared to fit easily and he entered with ease. (Kangaroo not included.)

A mid-week demonstration featured Europe’s Volocopter and America’s Opener BlackFly. The two (three actually, a pair of BlackFlys flew) demonstrated their eVTOL flying capability. They could hardly have been more different. Billionaires are investing in, uh, what to call them? …drones, multicopters, eVTOLs, UASs, UAVs, Powered Lift aircraft, the list literally goes on and on. The lack of a widely accepted generic name is one of several indications these air taxis of tomorrow are still in a fairly distant tomorrow. Two industry experts gave me their judgment after viewing the Volocopter and BlackFly demonstrations. Both agreed the Volocopter presented better, performing a true demonstration of its vertical launch then transitioning to forward flight, manuevering, and then doing a landing. Both also said the BlackFly was much less impressive. “They just kind of bobbed and floated around, not doing any maneuvering or making a transition to forward flight,” each agreed. Both wanted to like each aircraft but one clearly won in their minds.

AirVenture Day 3: Whoa! Major Course Change for FAA on MOSAIC; It’s All Great!

By Dan Johnson || July 29, 2021 80 Comments (Edit)

As you readers must know, I prefer to focus mainly on the airplanes, on light aircraft. It's what interests me and I've learned it's what interests you* as well. I captured more cool aircraft news on Day 3 and I will return to that tomorrow. Today's topic is different.

Affordable aircraft are important to many readers. I get that completely and that's why my Day 1 report focused on six aircraft that are very easy to own. Speedy aircraft are of also great interest. In general I like to say (modifying a view expressed by Apple Founder Steve Jobs) that — "It's all about the airplanes." Other high-traffic features of this website include the SLSA List, PlaneFinder 2.0, and our market statistics. However, one non-aircraft topic always draws lots of readers. When I report major moves by FAA that can have an impact on your ability to fly, you sit up at your smartphone, tablet, or laptop and pay attention. I personally find it absurd that we wait for FAA to make regulatory decisions and then create or modify aircraft to fit their prescriptions. It seems infinitely more logical to me that the market creates aircraft pilots want and only then should FAA pursue regulation as needed to ensure public safety. Yet in today's government-driven world, pilots must remain aware of what the aviation agency will do.

FAA Pivots Hard …making Good Changes (in my humble opinion)

We were happy to have Zoom's technology in 2020 so we could meet with coworkers, bosses, friends, and family online when we not allowed to congregate in person. I observed, though, that use of Zoom tapered off after the novelty became the familiar. No matter how well that tech company did their job, faces on a screen cannot fully replace in-person meetings. It's just not the same.

The magic of airshows and their ability to deliver in-person meetings showed their value yesterday at AirVenture Oshkosh. The following relates the story as best I could piece it together. Be advised this is not the final word on the subject. In fact, it is so fresh that changes are probable. Our friends in EAA's Advocacy department, lead by Sean Elliot and aided by experienced staff held a special Mosaic meeting with FAA. In such a gathering at AirVenture 2021, EAA team members reportedly pushed back on Mosaic regulations, calling it "overly complex." (I was not present at this meeting, so this report is second hand.) In the meeting, key FAA officials were present and in a remarkable development (which I am surely oversimplifying here), FAA agreed and in the space of a single meeting, listen to what occurred.

Steve Dickson (facing camera) was sworn in as FAA administrator on August 12, 2019 after being confirmed for a five-year term by the U.S. Senate on July 24, 2019. Dickson recently retired from service as the senior vice president of Flight Operations for Delta Air Lines.

The whole idea introduced in May of 2020 (see this article) set up Light-Sport Aircraft as a subset of something brand new called Light Personal Aircraft. The former would get bigger and more capable but it was the latter that appeared ready to invite still-larger aircraft, perhaps with four seats, retractable gear, faster speeds, and other abilities. Light Personal Aircraft has apparently been scrubbed — just like that, in a single meeting …but one involving key decision makers including the LSA industry's good friend, Earl Lawrence. An engineer with a strong CV, Earl has risen quickly within FAA and today is the manager of aircraft certification. He has long preferred simpler solutions and reportedly concurred that Mosaic plans for LPA were overly complex. LPA is history, barely a year after it was first invented by rule writers. (Surely, we will hear more definition about this in coming weeks, but the preceding statement looks accurate according to several persons.) Another part of the Mosaic proposals to-date is a formula method referred to as Power Index. Quite a number of you have done the math and tried to determine if one or another airplane can fit.

Flight Design USA boss, Tom Peghiny (gesturing) explains Light-Sport Aircraft to the administrator and other staff as Dickson prepared to try sit in and experience the new F2.

Power Index is also "probably" history, before most of us ever understood precisely how it will work. It, too, was judged unnecessarily complex and many people more qualified in engineering than me would quickly agree. In addition, it seemed a complicated way to accomplish an objective that could be achieved by other means. The proposed 200-horsepower cap is "probably" history as well. According to reports, several FAA people recognized that the amount of horsepower is not a key determinant to FAA sticking to its LSA mantra of "Safe, Simple, and Easy to Fly." My advocacy partner, Roy Beisswenger, who attended several FAA briefings, said, "The key phrases to come out of an FAA meeting was that LSA should be defined as "easy to fly" or "docile to fly" and then let the industry define exactly what that means." He added, "Different weights and categories of aircraft would be allowed as endorsements." Endorsements have already been used with good success for basic Sport Pilots to advance their privileges. The ASTM F37 group that prepares standards for FAA to use in accepting (or not) new LSA aircraft has been furiously working to prepare for all the Mosaic changes so aircraft can demonstrate meeting the standards soon after the rule is final, allowing sales to pilots. As those volunteers do their work and as we hear more, I will report more as quickly as possible. So, Mosaic enters a new state of development but I view all these changes as positive. Keeping regulations simpler will enhance the ability of developers and users/pilots to follow them so they can perform their function efficiently.

An annual safety presentation (among other topics) was given by LSA Program Manager, John Stoll. He gave attendees his background and he is a light aircraft enthusiast himself. He flies and builds the sort of aircraft readers of this website enjoy.

* Modern websites provide information I never dreamed of having in, let's say, the 1990s. WordPress, the open source software that helps me build this website, provides a wealth of data about where visitors are going on the website and which stories generate the most looks and shares. This data resource helps me produce the right stories that earn your attention. However, unlike some social media giants or numerous government agencies, we do not collect any personal data and we don't share any data with anyone …and we never will! To the best of our ability, we deeply respect your privacy and the rights to your own data.

As you readers must know, I prefer to focus mainly on the airplanes, on light aircraft. It’s what interests me and I’ve learned it’s what interests you* as well. I captured more cool aircraft news on Day 3 and I will return to that tomorrow. Today’s topic is different. Affordable aircraft are important to many readers. I get that completely and that’s why my Day 1 report focused on six aircraft that are very easy to own. Speedy aircraft are of also great interest. In general I like to say (modifying a view expressed by Apple Founder Steve Jobs) that — “It’s all about the airplanes.” Other high-traffic features of this website include the SLSA List, PlaneFinder 2.0, and our market statistics. However, one non-aircraft topic always draws lots of readers. When I report major moves by FAA that can have an impact on your ability to fly, you sit up at your smartphone, tablet, or laptop and pay attention.

AirVenture Day 2: LSA Sales Backlogged • Fun Fly Zone Relocation

By Dan Johnson || July 28, 2021 6 Comments (Edit)

Day 2 AirVenture began with "rain that went sideways," according to one vendor. After a late night cranking out a report, I was grateful for an excuse to get another hour's sleep. The overnight rain gave way to another beautiful, if hot, day in Oshkosh.

Tuesday, I hiked up to the north side, where the main displays are located. Most of the higher end Light-Sport Aircraft are located in this high-traffic area. Several LSA companies have jockeyed for years to find what they consider to be the optimal location for their exhibit. Being near the main foot-traffic road is very alluring to vendors. In almost two decades of Light-Sport Aircraft (the then-new rule was announced at AirVenture 2004), LSA have integrated themselves into mainstream aircraft manufacturing …and not simply because of the aircraft offered. As late-night TV ads once said, "There's more!" LAMA board of directors member Phil Solomon — active in the flight school business and a former importer of Tecnam — expressed that the sales of LSA and the growth and development of the industry is only one of its successes. The method of gaining "acceptance" (FAA's preferred term) has been so well regarded that it has affected how Part 23 aircraft will be approved in the near future. Using industry consensus standards created by industry experts with guidance from ASTM has allowed far more rapid changes than is possible under a prescriptive FAA certification system. Aircraft get better and safer, faster.

Sales Running Strong

Perhaps it's because Americans have been saving at a far-higher-than-usual pace in 2020 and into 2021. Perhaps it's what happens after eighteen sluggish months dominated by virus talk. Perhaps the industry has matured to such a state that more pilots have faith in the products; the LSA safety record has been "acceptable," FAA has often stated.

Can "sleek" and "gnarly" combine in one aircraft? Maybe, if it's Pipistrel's Virus LSA using tundra tires. Many pilots like the look.

Maybe it's simply a statement that it feels good to be getting back to normal. While EAA has signs at entry points recommending (but not mandating) face masks for unvaccinated visitors, few wore them, less than 5% use, I'd estimate. Of course, we are mostly outside, in the sunshine, with a breeze blowing. Everyone I've met outwardly celebrates a "normal" feel to the airshow. …and it's busy. I will not be surprised to hear some record numbers; fly-in airplane parking is close to using every available space. Whatever the explanations and many more are possible, it appears at least the larger, stronger Light-Sport Aircraft manufacturers are experiencing solid business. Several told me so straightforwardly. Some companies are taking orders for delivery well into 2022 — and this is not because they can't get enough computer chips (like the auto industry) or other supplies. They have enough orders in hand to cause this situation. ICON — Once-closely-watched Icon Aircraft is back at AirVenture with a large, impressive display — though far more conservative than a few years back and not right on the main walkway as they previously were. After a difficult company reorganization and subsequent personnel turnover, the company has added new staff, drawing experience from other manufacturers to rebuild their approach. Icon arrived on the scene with such gusto that they raised expectations to the moon. That's a high bar. When manufacturing costs proved higher than first expected, prices rose sharply to levels not seen among LSA. More recently, other brands have made their models more luxurious, added more advanced avionics, and powerful engines like Rotax's 915iS. This has brought their prices closer to Icon's though the A5 remains top of the price pyramid. New management is aware they have work ahead but fresh talent, adequate financing, and a resolve to move forward are a big help. Icon reported achieving Primary Category certification; this can help make sales into countries that do not use ASTM standards. VASHON — Another company reporting a full order book is West coast-based Vashon Aircraft. One area of success for the company closely associated with Dynon Avionics has been with flight school operators. That's why Vashon showed a full IFR Ranger at AirVenture 2021. Company owner John Torode acknowledged that this does not permit flight into IMC but can let Ranger be used for instrument instruction. Flight schools like the familiar, and very sturdy, construction of Ranger. They know its Continental engine. The flight school market is important for Vashon, complimenting a warm reception they've received from individual pilots. Vashon remains a relative bargain in the LSA field. Their booth buzzed with activity while I visited with John. SCALEBIRDS — Sam Watrous and his ScaleBirds team have been on a tear with their excellent scale replica light aircraft. These are Experimental Amateur Built aircraft but they've made a solid effort to make building go as easy as possible. The aircraft carefully replicate the original versions, so purists looking for that certain look can get it but in a much more affordable package than the original it mimics. Sam runs the enterprise with his son Scott and a group of support people that help them in the project. ScaleBirds was looking good in the revised North Aircraft Display area, colloquially referred to as the "Kit-Built Area." Most folks are attracted to bright polished aluminum surfaces. Certainly all that elbow grease pays off at big airshows like Oshkosh.

And, speaking of area movements…

Changes Ahead

FUN FLY ZONE RELOCATION — It may be sign of success. Judging from a full contingent of vendors in the light plane area, with a few vendors reporting they could not get space until someone backed out, this area reflects the health of light aircraft and ultralights. As with the LSA purveyors up north on the field, the Fun Fly Zone airplane sellers are reporting solid activity in leads and sales. At least some vendors had been informed about and were therefore discussing a possible movement of the Fun Fly Zone, colloquially known as the "Ultralight Area," to a position further south on Wittman Field. Historically, this area has already moved considerably south. It was once much closer to the Vintage Aircraft area (near Theater in the Woods). Proposed with the new idea being discussed is a longer, better positioned runway. To their credit EAA and the Ultralight Area managers over the years have made the angular Ultralight Area strip work successfully. Yet to maneuver for short final, pilots must make a series of turns, all while staying well west of traffic on the main north/south runway. It is far from optimal even if good leadership and cooperative pilots have made the current runway work. This week, EAA is demonstrating once again that they know how to produce a great show so I'd expect they'll make the Fun Fly Zone relocation go well and look good.

Day 2 AirVenture began with “rain that went sideways,” according to one vendor. After a late night cranking out a report, I was grateful for an excuse to get another hour’s sleep. The overnight rain gave way to another beautiful, if hot, day in Oshkosh. Tuesday, I hiked up to the north side, where the main displays are located. Most of the higher end Light-Sport Aircraft are located in this high-traffic area. Several LSA companies have jockeyed for years to find what they consider to be the optimal location for their exhibit. Being near the main foot-traffic road is very alluring to vendors. In almost two decades of Light-Sport Aircraft (the then-new rule was announced at AirVenture 2004), LSA have integrated themselves into mainstream aircraft manufacturing …and not simply because of the aircraft offered. As late-night TV ads once said, “There’s more!” LAMA board of directors member Phil Solomon — active in the flight school business and a former importer of Tecnam — expressed that the sales of LSA and the growth and development of the industry is only one of its successes.

AirVenture Day 1: Welcome Back, Oshkosh! TODAY: Affordable Airplanes in the “Fun Fly Zone”

By Dan Johnson || July 27, 2021 2 Comments (Edit)

WOW! It's great to be back at a major airshow. I imagine every single person on that immense stretch of show grounds (way past a mile north to south!) felt largely the same way I did. Airshow buddies. Cool aircraft to check out. All manner of compelling gear to make your bird better. Forums on a wide variety of topics. Terrific aerobatic acts and a constant, joyful racket of airplane noise. Oshkosh is literal aviation sensory overload and every person present is splashing around in it like a kid in a backyard pool. Whee!

Fun Fly Zone Where Affordable Aviation Lives

Short story first…

Midwest LSA Expo organizer and airport manager, Chris Collins models the new trailer Videoman Dave built for me to follow him all over Oshkosh.

My Canadian videographer Dave Loveman was denied entry at the border (long story) so I'm flying solo this year. I will concentrate in areas as the show is simply too big to cover top to bottom unless you have wheels — and they are reserved for a gilt-edged few. Most of us hoof it (or tram it), and did I mention the space stretches well over a mile plus miles more back and forth between exhibit spaces and aircraft. Aviation shows need lots of room and Oshkosh is the biggest of the big. When Dave can attend he uses a scooter (that can go literally anywhere …it's a golden ride). He's fitted his deluxe scooter with a tiny wheeled trailer, which I mount and then hang on for dear life as we wheel all over the grounds in minutes. Man, do I miss that speedy, if overly attention-getting, ride.

What follows will be key photos of the day plus a short paragraph. Each of these is worthy of its own story and when the show is over I will organize the best of these for a deeper dive. All of them, every one, are quite affordable.

Fixed Wing – Gyroplane – Powered Paraglider – Biplane – Trike – New LSA

BADLAND AIRCRAFT / F-SERIES — Chris Duell made a big change since I last ran into him (article here) and his new Badland F-series of legit Part 103 fixed wing aircraft. He moved from his longtime home in Las Vegas, Nevada to southern Minnesota. He was able to expand to more spacious quarters and beamed with pleasure at having enough room in a completely different surrounding. He recently bought this original Badland (nearby image) from a customer who had equipped it with tundra tires that looked great but might push it over Part 103 limits. Smaller tires as seen in the background make the numbers, Chris proved. He's got airplanes flying, kits in progress, and orders to build. Here's an affordable fixed wing aircraft many can like. F-series uses the Polini Thor engine with an E-Props propeller. Chris is pleased with both.

Dan Feldman demonstrates the "taxi mode" of his Dragon quad. At this balance point it looked effortless.

DRAGON QUAD PPG — A newcomer in the space is this simple but effective looking "quad" from Dragon PPG. These carriages are the next step for foot-launched powered paragliders. Purists will still prefer that method but those who aren't confident in running launches and landings may elect an undercarriage. These need to be much leaner than the construction of a two-place, Rotax 912-equipped powered parachute; they're pretty different aircraft. Yet these are highly affordable, offer splendid visibility, and are light enough to make transport easier. Developer Dan Feldman put Dragon PPG together in just six months but has tested it and had experts put it through its paces …with flying colors. Dragon is powered by a 50-horsepower Rotax 503 giving the Part 103 light aircraft a very spirited climb (most PPGs used 35-horsepower engines or smaller, though they carry less weight.) Dan said an ample supply of zero-time rebuilt 503s is available.

When interested in an aircraft, it's always a good idea to try one on for size. It was quite comfortable.

FUSION NANO (GYRO) — Gyroplanes have been a hot spot in light aviation for several years. The models have become increasingly deluxe with several top competitors in the space volleying back and forth for more sophisticated aircraft. They have indeed become beautiful flying machines. However, while most are still affordable compared to many top fixed wing LSA, they have priced themselves higher with each improvement. Single seat gyroplanes — like the Bensens and others when the category was founded — are very rare …until now. Fusion Copter makes a very affordable gyroplane that looks to deliver fun flying in that rotary way. In an earlier article I described the aircraft in more detail and I will have fresh news about this aircraft in the weeks ahead. HIPERLIGHT — Ron Jones has been selling a kit version of the Sorrell Brothers' Hiperlight series since he took over in 2004. The design dates to the early 1980s. For all that time, this longtime model has only been available as an Experimental Amateur Built but that is now changing. Ron reported (a video will follow with more details) that he has been working diligently for many months to go through the ASTM standards used by FAA to "accept" (not "certify") a new Special LSA. He expects to complete the project by the end of 2021 and then enthusiasts can buy a factory-built Hiperlight. After checking out several engines, Ron settled on the Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder, 80-horsepower engine. As Hiperlight is, well… light, this provides exhilarating performance, he said.

Remarkably, an Aeros Ant trike can be carried in three bags, seen here.

AEROS ANT (TRIKE) — Years ago I visited Aeros in the Ukraine. They were developing into a major supplier of hang gliders but were also contract building the Sky Ranger for a French company. It was a primitive working environment for many ex-Antonov workers (when Communism collapsed, many experienced workers and engineers were thrown out of work) but those people turned out some very nice products despite the challenges. Now, years later, their hang gliding background still lives and the Ant is a product aimed at that market …or anyone else looking for a very affordable price tag (below $20,000 ready to fly). Not only is the aircraft a bargain but it can literally pack down into three bags you could carry on and in most vehicles. Plus, Ant can retract its main gear in flight and packs down quickly for compact hangar storage as well. CARLSON SPARROW — Welcome back to Ernie Carlson's Sparrow! I knew this project was in the works (as reported earlier), but David Cooper and his helpers have been head-down learning the product and supplying some information that went missing through two previous owner changes since Ernie passed away. David acquired design rights, tooling, and inventory for Carlson's single place Part 103 Sparrow and the two place Sparrow XTC. He had an example of the latter at the show; it's the one they used to remeasure and confirm certain aspects of the design. After sorting out many details, David is now ready to start work on production. He will continue, of course, with the MiniMax line. The latter is nearly all wood, while Sparrow uses welded steel and aluminum construction. It's great to see David keeping these two long-lived models alive and well. OK, it's late and Tuesday is already here. So, that's a wrap for today. Let's see what I can find tomorrow!

WOW! It’s great to be back at a major airshow. I imagine every single person on that immense stretch of show grounds (way past a mile north to south!) felt largely the same way I did. Airshow buddies. Cool aircraft to check out. All manner of compelling gear to make your bird better. Forums on a wide variety of topics. Terrific aerobatic acts and a constant, joyful racket of airplane noise. Oshkosh is literal aviation sensory overload and every person present is splashing around in it like a kid in a backyard pool. Whee! Fun Fly Zone Where Affordable Aviation Lives Short story first… My Canadian videographer Dave Loveman was denied entry at the border (long story) so I’m flying solo this year. I will concentrate in areas as the show is simply too big to cover top to bottom unless you have wheels — and they are reserved for a gilt-edged few.

AirVenture Day 0: Say Good-Bye to Rotax Two-Stroke Aircraft Engines

By Dan Johnson || July 25, 2021 14 Comments (Edit)

As AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 starts, we have arrived at a long-awaited beginning to the world’s biggest airshow.

AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 opens Monday July 26th and I am on-site to capture all the best news I can find for light aircraft. Regretfully, my Canada-based YouTube partner, Videoman Dave, was denied entry by Homeland Security — his occupation was “deemed not essential” — so I’ll be flying solo to write daily articles and record video.

End of an Era?

As a company news release issued just before Oshkosh shows, we have also arrived at the end of an era. Rotax announced that the Austrian engine manufacturer will cease production of their last two-stroke powerplant, the twin-cylinder, 65-horsepower 582.

Indeed, as light aviation enthusiasts prepare for the coming Mosaic regulation that will dramatically alter the landscape, a clearer dividing line is revealing itself. Many light aircraft have embraced Rotax's four stroke engines, overwhelmingly their 9-series models including carbureted 912 ULS, fuel-injected 912iS, turbocharged 914, and the newest 915iS.

Aircraft models on the lighter end — which I often group under the banner of “alternative aircraft” — work well with smaller, lighter engines that are almost always two-stroke. Such aircraft include trikes, some powered parachutes, nearly all powered paragliders, and, of course, virtually the entire fleet of Part 103 ultralights. On July 22nd, as AirVenture 2021 begins, BRP-Rotax announced that it would be stopping production of “the legendary two-stroke Rotax 582 UL aircraft engine by end of 2021.” The European engine builder explained, “This decision has been taken considering the nearly full transition of the light and ultralight aircraft market towards four-stroke aircraft engines.” I will observe that when Rotax uses the term “ultralight,” they refer primarily to European flying machines that are closer to LSA than American Part 103 models. The latter have very rarely employed four-stroke engines though they once used two-stroke Rotax models widely.

Rotax History

When I first discovered the Rotax brand, I used the single cylinder, 22-horsepower 277 engine. In those days, the Rotax 277 was everywhere. It was the first two-stroke powerplant Rotax discontinued.

Rotax's 50-horsepower twin-cylinder 503 was one of the most popular two stroke engines ever to power light aircraft.

Following the R-277 came twin-cylinder models 377, 447, 503, and 532, which finally became the 582. All of these except the 377 enjoyed huge popularity. Another, the 618, saw limited use. While some experimenters repurposed snow mobile engines for aircraft use Rotax never sold these as aircraft engines. Before Rotax entered and subsequently dominated the light aircraft space, other engines, such as Cuyuna, were widely used but Rotax’s professionalism swiftly moved the company to the head of the parade. In those early days, light aircraft engines were almost never supplied by large companies due to concerns about liability for what was then a new aircraft sector. “The Rotax 582 UL engine is the last two-stoke aircraft engine in series production and was definitely part of our company success in the past,” said Peter Oelsinger, General Manager of BRP-Rotax. “The decision however reflects the market reality. Almost 100% of the customers select four-stroke engines; a demand that we can definitely fulfill with our range of innovative and high-quality four-stroke aircraft engines,” he added.

Not Gone Yet, But Act Soon

Rotax advised the 582 UL will still be available via the Rotax authorized distribution network worldwide for long as existing inventory lasts at distributors. If you want to purchase a new 582, you should act soon before supplies run out.

A Rotax 582 overhaul kit offered by Lockwood Aircraft.

Is it a gamble to install an engine the manufacturer is discontinuing? No, not really. Rotax has built a highly-regarded global service network. The company and its representatives and distributors will continue to provide technical service for all existing Rotax 582 UL customers and aims to provide Rotax genuine spare parts availability up to 10 years after stopping production. Also, as many designers or builders have found, the used market can provide these engines for years and many of them are available with relatively few logged hours. With good maintenance, Rotax's 582 is likely to be flying for many more years.

As AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 starts, we have arrived at a long-awaited beginning to the world’s biggest airshow. AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 opens Monday July 26th and I am on-site to capture all the best news I can find for light aircraft. Regretfully, my Canada-based YouTube partner, Videoman Dave, was denied entry by Homeland Security — his occupation was “deemed not essential” — so I’ll be flying solo to write daily articles and record video. End of an Era? As a company news release issued just before Oshkosh shows, we have also arrived at the end of an era. Rotax announced that the Austrian engine manufacturer will cease production of their last two-stroke powerplant, the twin-cylinder, 65-horsepower 582. Indeed, as light aviation enthusiasts prepare for the coming Mosaic regulation that will dramatically alter the landscape, a clearer dividing line is revealing itself. Many light aircraft have embraced Rotax’s four stroke engines, overwhelmingly their 9-series models including carbureted 912 ULS, fuel-injected 912iS, turbocharged 914, and the newest 915iS.

LSA Update: Pre-AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 — Aircraft, Products, Dealers, Achievements

By Dan Johnson || July 20, 2021 12 Comments (Edit)

Well, FINALLY, AirVenture Oshkosh is barely a week away. It seems like forever, doesn't it? It has been two years but feels like a decade. I hope you can attend, but if not, I plan to be on-site all week gathering the latest about Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot kits, and ultralights.

In this edition of “LSA Update,” I'll cover an update about… 1️⃣ Jabiru and their AirVenture activities; 2️⃣ Beringer's new SensAir system that works with your smartphone; 3️⃣ an impressive father-and-daughter partnership forming a new dealer for Seamax; 4️⃣ a preview of the new Dragon powered paraglider single-place quad; and, 5️⃣ competition successes for E-Props and Polini engines.

Let’s get this show underway…

Jabiru USA

One of the earliest Light-Sport Aircraft to be approved was the Australian Jabiru brand.

Not only was Jabiru one of the first approved SLSA (#22) but also one of the most prolific with SLSA #22 J250-SP, #23 J170-SP, #40 Calypso SP, #67 J230-SP (redesignated as J230-D in 2013), and #142 J170-D. The "SP models came from an earlier U.S.-based manufacturing arrangement. The "D" denotes the manufacturing now conducted in Australia. When you are an early entrant you have time to get the details right and flesh out the operation.

Now in the capable hands of Scott Severen, who runs US Sport Planes and took over from Jabiru USA founder Pete Krotje, Jabiru has matured to one of the leading LSA suppliers. It is the only Australian fixed wing aircraft brand to successfully enter the U.S. market. The company remains a member of a very select club that manufactures both airframe and engine. All Jabiru models appear compact but actually have spacious interiors; especially the latest J230-D has a cavernous aft area (where people sit when the same base airframe is used to make a four seater). A third door for this purpose serves U.S. pilots by making the loading of luggage (or your pet) easier. With its 4th Generation six-cylinder engine producing 120 horsepower, Jabiru J230-D will satisfy a lot of pilots. Stop by their space at AirVenture and perhaps you'll meet some of their owners that will attend another annual Jabiru Owners Group (JOG) gathering.

Beringer

Known far and wide for their distinctive orange-ish wheels, Beringer has built a premium brand serving aircraft from the lightest LSA to Cirrus' SR-series.

The France-based company with a permanent U.S. operation has numerous products in support of airframes including the unique locking tailwheel and their wheel shocks. Now, they have something new. Beringer’s SensAIR™ system is connected to a mobile app on your smartphone (image) thanks to pressure and temperature sensors fitted to your Beringer rim. Sensors are normally switched off to save the battery (2 to 3 years lifetime) and are activated when the smartphone is detected within a 30-foot radius (10 m).

Low pressure and temperature levels are set by the user on his smartphone so he or she can receive a notification.

No need to crawl under your plane to check pressure anymore, thanks to SensAIR you can check your pressure before and during each flight! SensAir is available now for 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-inch wheels.

Seamax

With fabrication in Brazil, Seamax has been in the U.S. market for many years, earning FAA acceptance as #63 in our SLSA List.

In the last few years Seamax has substantially upgraded their U.S. representation with full-time facilities adjacent to the prestigious campus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. From this ideal location they can cover the Eastern U.S. Now, Seamax is pleased to announce a new dealer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The seaplane maker now offers support, training, and sales for several Midwestern states. The new business is called Central Seaplanes and they become the official sales agent and brand representative for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Central Seaplanes will provide mechanical and maintenance service to Seamax aircraft in association with Johnson Aviation of Tulsa and plans to provide flight training in association with Destinations Executive Flight Club of Tulsa.

The Oklahoma dealer recently acquired two fully-equipped Seamax M-22 aircraft to their fleet and. One M-22 is equipped with IFR gear, which allows a pilot in training to log instrument hours at competitive rates. Central Seaplanes, LLC is a father-daughter, veteran-owned business represented by Kira and Todd Lang. Todd is a former fighter pilot with 40 years of aviation experience and 11,000 logged hours with CFI, CFII, and MEI instructor credentials. Currently, he is an international Boeing 767 Captain for a major U.S. airline. Todd also holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Embry Riddle. Kira has an Associate degree in aircrew safety systems technology, a Bachelor's degree in aviation management and a Master's degree in aviation and space science. She is currently finishing her doctorate. Kira received her Private Pilot certificate when she was 18 years old. Kira said she has always dreamed of starting her own business with her dad. She has a passion for aviation and has thrived in the industry. She intends to dedicate her time to the success of Central Seaplanes and their association with Seamax aircraft.

Dragon PPG

Welcome to Dragon PPG (powered paraglider).

This quad — a term describing the four wheeled carriage some powered paraglider enthusiasts prefer — “is a new concept,” said Erin Thorson about designer Dan Feldman's work. Dragon will make its official debut at AirVenture 2021. Thorson is a 30+ year A&P and former Air Force aviator. "Considerable research and thought have been put into producing a high quality seated powered paraglider that meets all FAR 103 requirements," wrote Erin. Dragon PPG is aimed at taller and heavier PPG pilots. The design features a roll cage for protection. Such a configuration is common in powered parachutes (different aircraft, if you aren't familiar) but quads have previously been very light weight construction that mainly aimed to provide some structure to accommodate wheels, and not much more. Based on Rotax 503 power, Erin described thrust of the engine as "incredible!" Dragon was weight tested at 4Gs assuming a 220-pound pilot. Commonly, powered paragliders prefer the lightweight, higher-revving Polini engine (see next news item).

"Last week, Eric Dufour, a world-renowned paragliding pioneer and well respected paramotor instructor, personally flew the Dragon PPG and loved everything about it," wrote Erin. "I have witnessed the Dragon fly; it is a rocket!" Dragon PPG is made in the USA. "The challenge (and frustration) for many quad PPG pilots is a lack of power and thrust and overall structural integrity," continued Erin. "Dan set out to design a wheeled powered paraglider [carriage] using heavy-wall aluminum for the main structural components with aluminum clamp devices and U-channels clamps to secure the tubing. The reason is primarily to add strength to the tubing without drilling of holes which can weaken the structural integrity of the frame." He reported the Dragon frame and engine have been designed to meet FAR 103 requirements. The Dragon frame itself can also be purchased as a stand alone frame without engine if the customer desires.

E-Props and Polini Engines

In early July 2021 flying enthusiasts participated in the second edition of a STOL competition for ultralights (with engines limited to 100 horsepower) in the south of France. The contest was organized by the French Federation, FFPLUM.

“The propeller is a very important equipment to succeed in this kind of competition,” the company wrote. “E-Props is proud to have won the first three places.” Earlier, on the weekend of June 17, 18, and 19, the French Open Training Slalom 2021 at Sevins Le Lac, “the podium was monopolized by pilots using Polini Thor engines,” boasted the Italian engine maker. Champion Alexandre Mateos, an ace of this sport, dominated results winning in his debut with the new Thor 303. Commonly, E-Props have been paired successfully with Polini.

In second position was Jeremy Penone using the super-tested Thor 250. In third, winning the bronze medal, was Marie Mateos also using the new Thor 303. Marie reached a new goal with Thor Polini engines. After previously winning the female category, in this recent competition she was the first woman to be on the winner's podium ranked equally with male pilots. In a similarly timed event called "Slalomania," in Bornos in the south of Spain, the Slalom Open Spanish Championship took place. “Once again the pilots powered by Thor 303 engines confirmed this engine is superior for powered Paragliders,” reported Polini. Of the 21 pilots that took part to the competitions, 16 chose Polini Thor engines.

…but, of course, all the above is merely the tip of a large iceberg. I hope to achieve sensory overload at Oshkosh '21 and I will do my best to transmit that excitement to you. Watch for the bright orange logo denoting coverage from the big show.

Off we go!

Well, FINALLY, AirVenture Oshkosh is barely a week away. It seems like forever, doesn’t it? It has been two years but feels like a decade. I hope you can attend, but if not, I plan to be on-site all week gathering the latest about Light-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot kits, and ultralights. In this edition of “LSA Update,” I’ll cover an update about… 1️⃣ Jabiru and their AirVenture activities; 2️⃣ Beringer’s new SensAir system that works with your smartphone; 3️⃣ an impressive father-and-daughter partnership forming a new dealer for Seamax; 4️⃣ a preview of the new Dragon powered paraglider single-place quad; and, 5️⃣ competition successes for E-Props and Polini engines. Let’s get this show underway… Jabiru USA One of the earliest Light-Sport Aircraft to be approved was the Australian Jabiru brand. Not only was Jabiru one of the first approved SLSA (#22) but also one of the most prolific with SLSA #22 J250-SP, #23 J170-SP, #40 Calypso SP, #67 J230-SP (redesignated as J230-D in 2013), and #142 J170-D.

Streaking through the Sky — JMB Aircraft’s VL3 Gets Clean and Goes Fast

By Dan Johnson || July 16, 2021 24 Comments (Edit)

The age of Light Personal Aircraft is not far off in the future but is that where "fast-glass" LSA are headed?

Certainly, some LSA producers have ambitions for four seat cruisers or tougher bush aircraft or larger load-carrying aircraft to satisfy pilots that want more capability from their aircraft. Those goals are fine, of course, but they are not what stimulates leaders and engineers at JMB Aircraft, a restless bunch that loves flying their screaming machine as fast as they can. How fast is it? I went aloft with dealer Kyle Schluter to find out. I also learned about the fuller product line and what Sport Pilot certificate holders can do to own and fly one of these impressive aircraft. (Article updated 7/17/21)

Orange Lightning in the Sky

Maybe it doesn't look familiar but VL3 has already been seen by Yankee pilots under the brand name Gobosh and with the model designation 800XP. Gobosh emerged in the early days of LSA. Today you know this aircraft as VL3 and it doesn't seem the same.

The fellows importing 800XP from then-producer Aveko rebadged the aircraft for the American market. It featured fixed gear and a fixed prop to meet the LSA regulations of the day. They also added wing area and for good marketing measure, they added sexy upward-curved winglets. Irony: The older model is essentially the LSA version that JMB plans for the U.S. market. So, yep, while the model in this report is the speediest version, a simpler — and LSA compatible today, even before the 2023 regulations — model is already waiting for American pilots that many need or prefer an LSA. No question though… what gets most pilot hearts beating harder is the speed VL3 has been able to achieve with a Rotax engine. VL3 was already known as a very fast flyer …and then Rotax introduced their 141-horsepower 915iS. Engineers at JMB eagerly accepted the challenge of adding the potent new powerplant to their sleek airframe and the results are strong.

In the present time — before big changes coming with the so-called Mosaic regulation — everyone knows LSA are limited to 120 knots indicated at maximum cruise at sea level. Note that most of the speed references in this article are true airspeed, and FAA does not dispute that this figure can be significantly higher than at sea level. When American builders go the Czech and work on building their kit to qualify, as presently needed, as an Experimental Amateur Built aircraft, they can take full advantage of the speed potential of this airplane. Of course, that procedure may change after 2023 when LSA are allowed to fly faster or when VL3 can become a Light Personal Aircraft with even more capability. You should note that JMB, along with most Euro designers, likes to quote max speeds in not only true airspeed but in kilometers per hour. I don't blame them. It makes the number higher and if you don't think this has any meaning then you probably don't understand a product priced at $29.95, either. People are affected by a number and 370 kilometers per hour certainly does sound fast.

VL3 has retractable gear with full gear door covers.

VL3 is able to achieve these speeds thanks to a very clean all-carbon-fiber airframe. The model also has a relatively short span (under 28 feet). The company lists climb rate at 2,000 feet per minute, a 2,000-kilometer (1,250 statute mile) range and a fairly modest 600-foot takeoff roll. Those are certainly very strong bragging rights, and on my recent flight, I found these numbers believable.

Safety Figures High, Too

Safety is important to JMB engineers as well. I flew in a VL3 with an airframe ballistic parachute. That's one feature but hardly all. In fact, it's for last-resort use. JMB reports that VL3's airframe has been subjected to a rather amazing +15 Gs of positive load and –8 Gs of negative load. That occurred in a test to failure; normal operational limits are +5 –2.5 Gs. VL3 is not intended for aerobatics but can stand up to the rigor of higher speed flight.

Kyle Schluter fills VL3's left tank (32 gallons can be carried). In the foreground you see the parachute mount location with the breakaway edges.

Pilots have tested VL3 up to 248 knots indicated airspeed (459 kph or 285 mph) to determine if flutter appears. It did not. An Angle of Attack (AoA) indicator appeared on the Garmin G3X to help the pilot stay within safe speeds. As do many LSA producers, JMB includes an ELT, promotes on-screen traffic advisories, plus stall strips have been fitted near the wing/fuselage junction to improve controllability at slower speeds. Given JMB salesman talk about speed all the time, you may start to wonder as I did. OK, fine, it blazes, I thought, but what are its slow speed characteristics? Some previous fast-glass designs have so focused on speed that a short off-field landing could be threatening because landing speeds remain high. Not on VL3.

VL3 has a well-refined automotive-like interior finish.

As Kyle approached to land, he lowered flaps to 15 degrees; this setting is used for takeoff as well. Using 33 degrees substantially steepened approach and the full-down 55 degrees of split flaps are needed only for the shortest field. As he lowered flaps and worked to slow down this race horse, I was pleased to see how well behaved VL3 remained. I had a clue because we did a series of stalls and VL3 had already shown great slow speed stability and control but also remarkably slow speeds. Stall happens modestly in the low 40 knot range. From 42 knots or so stall to 165 indicated top cruise, we see the 4:1 slow-to-max ratio that is the holy grail of airplane design.

Now in the US of A

With import operations based on the West Coast, Alion Aviation engaged dealers in the Midwest and the east to help promote and service the aircraft.

Left arrow identifies the prop control on VL3. The right arrow shows presets you can make, in this case, takeoff setting. Note parachute handle at right.

One of these is a father and son team, Dirk and Kyle Schluter, located in Ohio. They will provide sales and service to many eastern states from Maine to Florida. Another dealer group, David Pauly and Aaron Young, is based in Wichita, Kansas serving the central states while Alion Aviation importer and company CEO Adam Coubal is based in California and serves the West Coast. More to Come… On the flight I took with Kyle, we shot video for a Video Pilot Report to follow in which you will learn more about speeds, power settings, engine temperatures, flight controls, stall characteristics, slow flight, maneuvering, takeoff and landing and more. Watch for that video after AirVenture 2021. No question about it — VL3 is one of those aircraft that will catch your attention.

Good luck catching one in the sky.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS configured to ASTM 600-kilogram parameters or to U.S. EAB per factory published information specifications were enhanced on the factory's advice (* 7/17/21)

Wing Span — 27.7 feet (8,44 m)
Wing Area — 105 square feet (9,77 sq m)
Length — 20.5 feet (6,24 m)
Height — 8.2 feet (2,05 m)
Cabin Width — 45 inches (115 cm)
Fuel Capacity — 31.7 gallons (120 l)
Gross Weight (ASTM version) — 1,320 pounds (600 kg)
Gross Weight (EAB version) — 1,500 pounds (680 kg) *
Empty Weight (ASTM version) depending on optional equipment — 750 pounds (340 kg)
Empty Weight (EAB version) before options — 798 pounds (362 kg) *
Useful Load (ASTM version) — 573 pounds (260 kg)
Payload with full fuel (ASTM version) — 383 pounds (174 kg)
Useful Load (EAB version) — 702 pounds (318 kg) *
Payload with full fuel (EAB version) — 512 pounds (232 kg) *

PERFORMANCE with Rotax 914 or 915iS (912 also available)

Takeoff & Landing either model — 757 feet (175 m)
Best Rate of Climb with 914 — 1,560 feet per minute *
Best rate of climb with 915iS — 2,280 feet per minute *
Max Cruise Speed with 914 in true airspeed — 190 miles per hour or 165 knots (306 kph)
Max Cruise Speed with 915iS in true airspeed — 230 miles per hour or 200 knots (370 kph)
Stall Speed either model in indicated airspeed — 48 miles per hour or 42 knots (78 kph)
Never-Exceed Speed (914) in indicated airspeed — 190 miles per hour or 165 knots (306 kph) * **
Never-Exceed Speed (915iS) in indicated airspeed — 253 miles per hour or 220 knots (407 kph) *

** Vne limited by maximum parachute deployment speed

VL3's gear switch has guards against inadvertent movement. Lights to the left of the switch plus an audio alarm warn the pilot about the gear when the flaps are lowered.

The age of Light Personal Aircraft is not far off in the future but is that where “fast-glass” LSA are headed? Certainly, some LSA producers have ambitions for four seat cruisers or tougher bush aircraft or larger load-carrying aircraft to satisfy pilots that want more capability from their aircraft. Those goals are fine, of course, but they are not what stimulates leaders and engineers at JMB Aircraft, a restless bunch that loves flying their screaming machine as fast as they can. How fast is it? I went aloft with dealer Kyle Schluter to find out. I also learned about the fuller product line and what Sport Pilot certificate holders can do to own and fly one of these impressive aircraft. (Article updated 7/17/21) Orange Lightning in the Sky Maybe it doesn’t look familiar but VL3 has already been seen by Yankee pilots under the brand name Gobosh and with the model designation 800XP.