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.
Streaking through the Sky — JMB Aircraft’s VL3 Gets Clean and Goes Fast
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.VL3 has retractable gear with full gear door covers.
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.
VL3 has a well-refined automotive-like interior finish.
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.
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.