The fourteenth running of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo is history and if this is how the rest of the year goes, I predict a stronger year for LSA sales. Vendors were smiling by the end of the show and a good many customers are now anticipating a shiny new aircraft in their hangar. Based on my unscientific survey of vendors, I would estimate at least 15 aircraft sales and possibly more as I did not query every vendor. Of course, airshow promises don’t always materialize but regardless of the precise number, it was amply clear that Sebring — and similar focused-venue shows that confine themselves to LSA, light kits, and ultralight — still offer their magic in putting customers and sellers together. Several vendors told airport executive Mike Willingham about having “pages” of solid leads. Even non-LSA exhibitors such as Cirrus reported to him that they found good prospects at the show.
Sebring 2018 Is a Wrap; Numerous Sales = Broad Smiles
An Aerotrek A240 sits by greenery with ELA gyroplanes in the background.
BasicMed and Focused Shows
By another view, the push by AOPA and EAA for BasicMed appears to have hardly affected Light-Sport Aircraft interest. In fact, BasicMed may be helping. While new opportunities now exist for older pilots to keep flying their older GA airplanes, BasicMed (see earlier article with comments) has enough hoops to jump through that some are obviously electing to continue using their driver's license paired with their existing pilot certificate to fly Light-Sport Aircraft.Duc-Hélices props are seen on this handsome Viper SD4 but the French brand was all over the airfield.
Interest in gyroplanes continues to grow based on scenes like this and reports of strong 2017 sales from multiple vendors.
A young prospective aviator already has the outfit down pat as she speaks with Big Screw Tie Downs developer, Greg Palmer. Lots of young folks toured Sebring 2018.
At the Drone Zone starting line a couple pilots showed sector fashions. The activity clearly attracts a young crowd.