The truth is, electric aircraft go way back, to even before the Wrights' famous flight 115 years ago. An article about the newest LSA candidate — a 
These unwieldy-looking flying machines are also some of the best priced and funnest aircraft you can consider. Plus, FAA regs say you can get a Sport Pilot certificate in a powered parachute in a mere 12 hours, the lowest requirement of any Light-Sport Aircraft. These facts make powered parachutes among the most approachable of any aircraft.
Roy Beisswenger's monumental effort — the large format (9 x 12 inches) volume contains about 400 pages — is significantly applicable to all forms of flight. The book contains Federal Aviation Regulations, test guides, and a glossary that almost any sport pilot would value.
If you've seen Roy's 
UPDATE 12/20/18 — Video added regarding the second book below. See at bottom of post… Unlike most aviation outlets, I’ve refrained from putting out a Christmas gift guide for pilots. I prefer to stick closely to aircraft as that’s what you pilots want the most. I learned this lesson many years ago when I starting writing light airplane reviews and found a market that lead to this website. However, as a content creator I admire the work of other writers and in this post I have a couple for your consideration. Possible Christmas gifts or otherwise, these offer good wintertime reading when the snow flies and temperatures drop below freezing. Electric Airplanes and Drones Not many years ago, such a title would have provoked raised eyebrows or confusion. We didn’t have any electric airplanes until around 2007 when Randall Fishman showed up at Oshkosh with his very credible single place (Part 103) trike ultralight powered by battery-supplied electric motors.
When Rotax debuted their new 915iS engine at an Oshkosh press conference, Sling designer Mike Blyth raced forward at the end of the conference to closely examine the new power plant. It was clear to me this answered a creation he had in mind and now we can see the fruit of his ambition: the new Sling TSi.
Since the 
For Oshkosh 2018, 
In addition to the Taco Bar treats (it is Southern California, after all, just a few miles from the Mexican border), attendees can hear about a most unusual Builder Assist experience.
The “Main Event” will feature a presentation by Wayne and Matthew Toddun who traveled to South Africa to build their Sling TSi. Not only did the father and son travel half way around the world to build their Sling TSi, the aircraft was subsequently re-assembled in Oshkosh and shown to visitors before it was flown back to Los Angeles.
TAF said that according to Matthew Toddun, "When my dad decided to purchase a new Sling aircraft for us to learn to how to fly, he went for the very best, the brand new Sling TSi!” Matthew continued, “When he decided [to pursue] a build assist program, he wanted the best assistance that we could get.”
”That is when our life-changing opportunity came about,” related Matthew. “[We would] travel to South Africa to build the first conforming Sling TSi. We spent a little over two weeks working side-by-side with the experienced factory crew, learning the ins and outs of our new plane, and assembling it piece by piece.” It was this Sling TSi that was revealed at Oshkosh 2018.
TAF USA also announced, “Next Year we are starting the Sling Pilot Academy to help prepare pilots for the airlines.” However, If you’re not in Southern California or don’t wish to travel to Torrence, you have another attractive alternative run by a veteran flight trainer.
One year ago, I was touring around China thanks to my good friends at 
Reporting from the recently-concluded Zhuhai air show, Xin tweeted, "Liaoning GA Institute, China has upgraded their electric LSA called RX1E-A" — the "-A" denotes this change. "The brochure claims a two-hour charging time and a maximum duration of two hours." Both are worthy achievements.
"The electric motor comes from a European supplier," reported Xin. "Liaoning engineers have also installed a whole airframe parachute. The organization received 10 orders from a Chinese operator."
Read more about electric aircraft, Willi, and Aero in 
Besides the electric aircraft from Liaoning, Xin tweeted, "China is also opening the door for kit-built aircraft." While these have not been officially recognized until very recently, that is changing as the populous country cautiously embraces the ideas of private aviation.
The nearby image shows the first experimental category aircraft in China. Approval was given to this aircraft from Europe. Note the "B-X001" tail number, Xin observes. "CAAC (the Chinese FAA) established the news experimental category in May 2018," reported Xin. "More kit-built airplane models will be built in China," he predicted.
If you'd like to follow Xin on Twitter, search for 
The experimental Top Cub is based on the Part 23 certified Top Cub CC18-180, originally designed by CubCrafters and acquired by Top Cub Aircraft Inc., a subsidiary company of Liaoning, in 2015.
Imagine you are in charge of marketing for French propeller manufacturer, 
Those many breathless stories in mainstream media about autonomously flown air taxis may paint a very different, possibly exciting image of the future of flight, but they may also be years, or decades, away.
Vehicles like Kitty Hawk's Flyer could get to the market much sooner, assuming FAA throws up no roadblocks — I don't see the agency doing that, drones have registered more than a million units giving FAA extra duties but also knowledge, and leverage. Indeed, the drone/multicopter development must be music to the regulators' ears.
Multicopters are also music to ears of prop makers. While 
Last spring, 
Duc Hélices has enjoyed considerable success in the U.S. market, thanks to persistent effort at airshows by their capable Michael Dederian. At LSA events these days, I see two brands all the time: Sensenich from Plant City, Florida and Duc Hélices from Frontenas, France.
To better serve their growing U.S.market, Duc will open a new facility at the Sebring, Florida airport. To celebrate, Duc Propellers USA will host an official opening party in Hangar C2 (442 Hendricks Field Way). People attending the event are invited at 6 PM on Friday January 25, 2019. To confirm or ask questions about the kick-off party, contact Mrs. Héloïse Jonda at her 
A while back with an 
One More Thing… Because this post is about airshows and because 2018 events are now history, our left column has 
Lift
Flight Design said this "is a daring adventure by physically challenged pilots to fly around the world starting very soon, on November 18, 2018. Company CEO Lars Joerges announced that the German manufacturer is a contributing sponsor to the undertaking. The flight will be conducted using a CTLS aircraft.
According to Flight Design, the globe-girdling flight will start from Geneva, Switzerland and will plan to visit 40 countries in five continents while traveling more than 49,000 miles. The flight plans to make “150 stops to meet, share, inspire and promote the inclusion of disabled people worldwide,” organizers said. The goal is to raise funds for Handicap International and is further sponsored by the Lions Clubs International, a fraternal organization that raises money for worthy causes.
Handiflight is a non-profit association formed in Gruyère, Switzerland in 2007. The organization hosts what they call the biggest fly-in for disabled pilots from all around the world.
After 10 years of successful events, Handiflight is now tackling a new goal: “To fly around the world to explore new horizons, look for new challenges, combat prejudices and promote the inclusion of disabled people.”
“We met with Daniel Ramsier, one of the organizers of the Handiflight,” said Joerges. "We were very inspired by his vision and wanted to be part of this adventure.” Primary pilots Paolo Pocobelli, Guillaume Féral and Mike Lomberg will lead an international team of more than 15 pilots with physical disabilities.
Upon the completion of this flight it will mark the third flight around the world for a CT-series aircraft. The first time occurred in 2007 by two pilots from India to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Indian Air Force. The second round-the-world flight was Azimuth 270, a flight by Yannick Bovier and Francisco Agullo, two Swiss Airbus pilots who flew a westward flight around the equator of the Earth in 2010. Soon will begin this great and inspiring flight by Handiflight!
Seamax
Inside the tent, we did an interview with 
The end of the year is approaching. We just wrapped Halloween and now begin the headlong rush into the holiday season. However, before all that retail excitement starts, here comes the third running of the 
Reason 
Reason 
You can probably add a few more reasons of your own, but the key is to show up and enjoy yourself while checking out a good flock of Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit-build aircraft, and ultralights. Inside the display tent you will find a good collection of accessories, tools, and other gear pilots want.
Oh, here's one more reason. Come see 
In mere days now, 
The central Florida airport is home to 
Those with a smaller budget should pay extra attention as the opening price of $25,000 is quite remarkable for a seaplane.
"Yes, that's right, [we're building] a single seater,” they said. “We are in the process of assisting some great Aero family members making one of the most awesome single seat aircraft on the market!" They promised to keep me advised and I'll report more as this emerges. Under leadership from Alex Rolinski, the Florida company has been exhibiting great energy in the pursuit of its enterprise.
Check out the full line of Aventura seaplanes at 
Now think of Merlin's price tag. It can be held to less than $50,000 today even with a four-stroke ASTM-compliant engine that provides an abundance of power for Merlin. That amount is approximately the same as $36,000 in 2002. Using the potent (and also ASTM-compliant) 
Merlin goes a further step beyond. The holes already have special, colored rivets that hold the parts in place. A builder removes them, does the under-skin work as needed — wiring, linkages, fuel lines — and re-rivets. I watched some of this occur and it is fairly amazing as a process. I might even attempt it and I'm not a builder.
With dedication and especially with some professional assistance as is possible today, a builder can finish the project in as little as two weeks.
Is that work effort worth it, considering you can hold the price below the once-expected price of a LSA? Only you can answer that question but Erwin's 
This week kicks off the truly gigantic trade show known by its sponsoring organization's abbreviation: 
I always find something of interest to the light aviation, recreational flying community. This year, I'm on the lookout for 
This weekend a firestorm erupted out of the blue. A wave of questions is ringing my phone, piling up text messages, and populating my social media accounts. Because it seems premature, I preferred not to weigh in on LSA weight but given the volume of comments, neither can I remain silent.
In addition, a shockingly near-term timeline for FAA to issue rulemaking further enforces the need to speak out now. I will provide information gleaned just an hour ago.
In case you missed the story, here's what 
I reached out to contacts in the agency and got a reply even though government is closed for Columbus Day. Here's what I learned from the group tasked with preparing this rule.
First — The announced date of "January 19, 2019" simply cannot happen. The team creating the rule does not possibly have the time to complete work by then. In fact, it is more likely "three to four years away." The new rule is a huge, sweeping effort that touches on many FAR parts; it cannot be completed on such a rushed schedule, nor would doing so be prudent.
Second — An effort is being made to align this major new regulation with the Basic Med rule, meaning that, yes, gross weight may go as high as was stated — and extra seats may be added — but, this is by no means determined yet. It will not even go before FAA's high level rulemaking council for initial determination until December …if then. At this time, "this is just at the discussion stage," reported my contact.
Third — LSA gross weight will rise but "not to a hard number" like 3,600 pounds. It will involve a maximum horsepower, a given stall speed, among other considerations, all of which will rely on the laws of physics to keep the aircraft design reasonable.
In July, in 
About this weekend's news, one U.S. supplier said, "I’m pretty worried." He's concerned people may hold off a purchase, waiting to see what happens. "I’ve seen it before," he added. However, since the new rule remains years away, no buyer ought to halt the joy of acquiring and flying a new aircraft.
Another industry expert said, "I hate being caught flat-footed like this." He remembered clearly what happened with the early announcement of medical changes.
While all the buzz today may be about gross weight, the light aircraft industry has other concerns about the regulations that 
Have you noticed how much LSA seaplanes pop up on this website and all over the web and print world? I admit to fascination with the developments these versatile aircraft are bringing to market but my attitude is shared by many others.
For example, I enjoyed reading 
As time passed, Icon has steadily raised the price of A5. What started as an affordable seaplane with innovative features has progressed to be an aircraft that even founder Kirk Hawkins agrees can only be bought by rather wealthy owners.
That same scenario can be used for 
Icon's "Fleet Access" program is a full-service sales and aircraft management solution that offers 50% and 25% ownership shares of the A5 and, "unlike many other programs in the industry, will also allow owners to use other shared A5 aircraft in various locations across the U.S. as if they were their own." This is different than other fractional programs I've examined and it provides all scheduled maintenance, storage, insurance, scheduling, dispatch, staging, and more. They can even help with one of their custom designed trailers.
No, this isn't a partnership program where you have to find several other partners and then administrate the cooperation. That's a fine idea but it has never become popular as it takes some level of bureaucracy. Icon eliminates that effort by managing the program itself.
So, what will this cost?
A 25% share — probably enough for most pilots I know — will cost $95,000 if you sign up early enough. Add to that a $900 "monthly management fee" that will cover storage, scheduling, and insurance, plus a $75 hourly fee. For many readers, this may still be too much but for some this could be a good option. If t works for you, contact Icon at this 
Can your interest be turned into a money-making proposition? Yes, it can.
You can be an Icon Advocate.
Enroll in their program and refer someone who buys — you could make $10,000. Refer someone who wants to offer A5 flight training, become a Service Provider, or join as a Sales Advocate and you can earn $15,000.
Do this a few times — no limit is imposed on the program — and you might earn enough for your own airplane, though admittedly you'll have to do this many times to afford your own A5.
While I could wish an A5 hadn't reached such top-of-the-category pricing
So far, at least three entries
Had Mike written a regulation back then to include multicopters like Scorpion he would surely have been relocated to some remote post where his craziness would not be obvious.
Yet multicopters seems to be everywhere and now, FAA has issued a formal letter saying, basically, "Yeah, it's a Part 103 ultralight."
Some readers who read the 
If you want to read more about the company's view of Scorpion, 
FAA's Light-Sport Aircraft category involves quite the intriguing mixture of aircraft. Fixed wing aircraft of many descriptions, weight shift, powered parachute, gyroplanes, motorgliders, seaplanes, of course, and, lighter-than-air. 
Leandro observes that established balloon manufacturers are accustomed to working in the FAA or CAA certified aircraft environment, often building large balloons used commercially to give rides. These producers have smaller aircraft but evidently pursue the higher cost variations. They may not be familiar with ASTM standards as used for all Light-Sport Aircraft and no others have chosen to address the LSA market.
Because no prior company has offered an aircraft using those standards, it seems likely FAA will want to audit this first LTA entry. Until passing muster with FAA, FlyDoo can be made available as an Experimental-Amateur Built.