Could Light-Sport Aircraft, light kit aircraft, and even ultralights benefit from in-flight adjustable propellers? After more testing and data collection answering that question should be easier. Prominently displayed in front of the Rotax Aircraft Engines exhibit at Sun ‘n Fun — right at the main entrance to the large spring show — was a strikingly-painted Searey kit-built aircraft (photo). Why? The mission was to showcase how a Rotax-powered amphibian aircraft can get more push… without complexity. Named Searey ATD, Advanced Technology Demonstrator, the collaborators include Progressive Aerodyne, producer of the Searey, Rotax Aircraft Engines, and MT Propeller, all coordinated by key developer, RS Aerotech of Nassau, Bahamas. A joint news release said, “For the first time in the Light-Sport Aircraft category*, Searey ATD offers a single-lever operated constant speed propeller, which significantly improves performance and dramatically reduces power management complexity for the pilot.” Searey ATD “will be used for long-time testing of new engines, propellers, and electronic systems.” To serve this goal, Searey ATD has been equipped with a state-of-the-art flight data acquisition and reporting system, which combines engine data with aircraft and navigation data.” Called a “first time” accomplishment, Searey ATD can “automatically transmit its engine and aircraft data via LTE networks worldwide.” The data “will be used by Rotax to perform engine health monitoring” similar to what airlines do globally.
On Wednesday, April 5, the Global Show for General Aviation started for the 25th time. The 2017 edition opened with a record participation of 707 exhibitors from 39 countries, some 100 more than in 2016, presenting the best results in its history. Not only did more vendors attend this benchmark Aero, even the number of visitors numbers increased on first three days by six percent.
With Sun 'n Fun also reporting record numbers, the health of lighter aviation appears strong and vibrant.
On a closing day Aero project manager Roland Bosch was the happiest man on earth. He told me that Aero 2017 set a double record: 34,200 trade visitors (2016: 30,800 —2015: 33,900) and the highest number of exhibitors adding: "Good flight weather, a great anniversary party, satisfied exhibitors, and above all, a visitor and exhibitor record."
The fair-chief, CEO Klaus Wellmann said: "It is now clear that our Aero is the most important business meeting for the aviation industry in Europe boasting many premieres." As is often the case with this event, many novel aircraft were presented.
The largest general aviation exhibition in Europe offers everything that flies from gliders to business jets, but the seven massive exhibition halls (each the size of a basketball gymnasium) regularly offer a huge presence of European ultralight or microlight aircraft. These are comparable to American Light-Sport Aircraft. Fixed wings, gyroplanes, weight shift, electric power, gasoline power, diesel power, and so much more fill the halls to capacity.
On day prior the start, on Tuesday, and on a closing day, on Saturday several aircraft with electric propulsion systems flew their rounds silently in the sky over the fairgrounds (photos).
In the days ahead, we will offer lots more information about Aero and Sun 'n Fun 2017, two events that both set records and had the interesting aircraft to prove it.
Welcome to the new US Flight Expo. Less like Sun 'n Fun and AirVenture with their airshow components and vast acreage of airplanes of all types, US Flight Expo will perhaps more closely resemble 
Organized by Arion Lightning dealer and light aviation enthusiast Greg Hobbs, the sector we usually cover here on ByDanJohnson.com looks to be well represented. Consider the list below. The other shows are all in the eastern U.S., a phenomenon I've discussed with many people over the years. For whatever reason, no major show has come to dominate the expansive western U.S.
Vast Western landscapes can be incredibly beautiful as the photos show. Greg is a hardworking fellow who has been laboring to build this event for the benefit of airplane enthusiasts and the vendors who serve them. He said early May is pleasantly warm and temperate with deep blue skies.
A video interview with Greg at Sun 'n Fun will be ready shortly but if you want to find out more soon, here's some contacts:
Videoman Dave first pulled me aside to look at an unusual ultralight aircraft nestled in the homebuilt area hidden behind a row of porta-potties. It was a questionable (but, surprisingly not stinky) location for what I had to admit was one truly fascinating aircraft. Check out Lightning Bug!
Sun 'n Fun Paradise City volunteers and officials evidently agreed that Lightning Bug was too fun and too novel to be sequestered behind the biffies. Out it came to a prominent position right in front of the area headquarters tent. In this central spot, this sweet little flying creation steadily drew a crowd.
I missed seeing Lightning Bug take to the air on Friday, April 7th, but I was told it looked good. This despite fairly strong winds that crossed the runway at angles approaching 90 degrees. Other light aircraft managed to fly normally so why does this surprise me?
One look at the photos ought to explain but what you can't see is that Lightning Bug weighs a mere 140 pounds and employs unorthodox control surfaces. I don't think I've ever seen a three axis flying machine, 'er… ultralight vehicle that comes in an amazing 114 pounds under the tight weight limit of Part 103.
The work of Brian Austein, Lighting Bug is not planned as a product. Brian grew up flying model aircraft, radio control airplanes. He wanted to see if he could make a low-cost aircraft that could be powered by twin engines that are tiny compared to most ultralights but very large for a radio-controls model. Some years ago RC models with spans of a few inches to a 3-4 feet went fully electric. Larger ones, up to 50% scale said Brian, use the engines he mounted on Lightning Bug.
His investment, not counting the value of his time: about $3,000, $1,000 for each engine and $1,000 for his novel airframe that uses elevons and other moveable surfaces you simply don't see on, well… "normal" aircraft. I was completely impressed not only by the extreme creativity in assembling an aircraft with looks unique to any I've ever seen, but to Brian's thoughtful consideration and by the quality of the workmanship.
A variety of materials were used to build this head-turning aircraft. Welded steel provides the basic structure with foam core and aluminum spar wings. Control surfaces are covered with see-through monokote as you'd find on many model aircraft, again hewing to Brian's background.
Lightning Bug has a tiny 19.5-foot span comprised of two eight foot wings and a 3.5-foot center section. The canard up front allows Brian to rotate off the ground more controllably but when he says it "Will Not Stall," he does not refer to the canard preventing a break.
On top of everything else about this awesome, singular product, it is equipped with "auto pilot." Is your head starting to spin? Mine sure was.
A couple years ago, Brian developed the Woodpecker and proceeded to win several awards at Oshkosh, he reported. That machine was not sold either showing this is a fascination for achieving super-affordable and novel aircraft that meld full-scale, man-carrying aircraft to techniques employed in assembling RC aircraft. From the constant attention Lightning Bug generated, it is obvious I was not the only one wowed by this young man's design prowess and his unconventional approach. Bravo, Brian!
Fortunately, Brian consented to a video interview so you will get a fuller story after Videoman Dave gets the editing done.
Here at the Sun ‘n Fun 2017 airshow LAMA’s LSA Mall is full and strong with 13 aircraft gathered from some of the leading brands. This exhibit was paired with the first-ever “Engines of Light Aircraft” display inside a large LAMA “Show Center” tent. On the first days of the Lakeland show, people appeared to be receiving the idea warmly.
One brand, Tecnam of Italy, showed its strength in the light aircraft community with three aircraft represented, two from First Landings at Apopka Airport in Florida and one from Lockwood Aircraft. The former are used in an active Sport Pilot school and the latter is a great example of the durability of Light-Sport Aircraft. The example from Lockwood has 4,500 hours on it and looks brand new.
Beside Tecnam, aircraft included Zlin’s Shock, BRM Aero’s Bristell, Progressive Aerodyne’s Searey, AeroJones’ CTLS, Pipistrel’s Virus SW, Aerotrek’s A-240, TL Ultralight’s Sting, Lockwood’s AirCam, and a Rans S-7 powered by Viking Engines.
The big show at Lakeland, Florida is open and happening. Today (Tuesday April 4th) is opening day; the event runs through Sunday, April 9th. Along with Videoman Dave, we've already starting making the rounds and we've found plenty to see.
As you see in the photos, 
Among them, Revolt has giant tundra tires not often seen on trikes. Paired with that long shock absorber legs worthy of a SuperSTOL or Outback Shock. Like their lower priced single seater, Rev, Revolt does away with the forward strut, sometimes called a compression strut, which leaves both occupants but particularly the front occupant or solo pilot with an enormous unobstructed view.
Revolt used power from the Rotax 912, which combined with an 18.7 gallon fuel tank, will provide a long range or at least plenty of local flying without refueling. The example showed at Sun 'n Fun had a 6-blade e-prop and ballistic parachute. The latter are optional extras by lead designer Larry Mednick (photo) explained that not many options were anticipated for the new model. It is aggressively priced — specifically to address those who found Revo a tad pricey — at $39,990 with the 
How is it that Rotax so dominates the supply of engines to light aircraft? Many reasons might be cited but one is the superlative training they offer. For 2017, the company is going even further, now offering essential training opportunities to the legions who attend airshows in both the USA and Europe.
"It cannot be done," is the quick dismissal from many in aviation, referring to instrument flying in a LSA. In 2017, I venture to say everyone in aviation (worldwide) knows about Light-Sport Aircraft and the Sport Pilot certificate, but a superficial knowledge can be a bad thing. The details unveil more.
So, as some say, it cannot be done, right? Wrong.
At 
We lost one of the good ones recently. You may not have met or even know this man, but you certainly know — and may absolutely love — the airplanes he created.
We are fast approaching an important time of year... only this year I am a bit conflicted. The good news is 
I'm irked I cannot attend Aero this year for another reason: it is the 25th anniversary event. Organizer and Aero project leader, Roland Bosch, said, "The entire spectrum of modern ultralights, gliders, and [larger] aircraft, as well as business jets, will be exhibited at the show." I enjoy his leading emphasis on the light side, where Aero truly got its start a quarter century ago. Roland also noted the e-flight air show taking place one day before the opening of the anniversary Aero. "We want to give you exciting insights into the world of flight and offer you the opportunity to talk with experts."
Once upon a time, the producer of a yellow LSA taildragger installed the industry's most powerful engine resulting in a performance leader. This gambit succeeded handily and the builder enjoyed several strong years of sales. Others looked upon this success and saw that it was good.
Into the cauldron of development activity stepped Zlin and their Shock model. This Czech-based company is no newcomer. You already know their Savage models, reported here frequently as the former iCub and later the Outback and Nomad plus the one-of-a-kind Bobber.
Looking deeper into the details, the Shock options include what SportairUSA calls the "hyper-STOL" wing profile boasting short takeoff and faster rate of climb. This incorporates slatted wings that move according to airflows without pilot involvement combined with two-element Fowler flaps and strategically placed vortex generators in numerous locations to optimize low-speed control.
Alright, you might accept Outback Shock as a engineering marvel with all the right attributes to qualify as a "hyper"STOL but what does all this do for you?
Two forms of flying are racing at us at increasing speed. This is both scary and promising at once. What can we expect? My crystal ball is no better than yours, but let me tell you what I can imagine may be headed our way.
Sure, we also like to fly cross country... or fly from off water... or perform aerobatics... or master soaring flight... take a friend or the family on an aerial excursion... travel regionally. Might some of these activities be done another way, specifically, could a drone do the job? You might not think so but please keep reading.
Imagine it is 2021. You go out in your back yard, or go to a park, or any number of places. You prepare your drone for launch, snap in your smartphone, put on your VR goggles, pick up the controller and go flying. Once you get this method down, you might replicate a real sightseeing flight to a significant degree.
To the futuristic superdrone scenario, factor in recent news about the Dubai Transportation authority allegedly approving operations within a year (!!) for a fleet of eHang autonomously flown air taxis. Does this sound far-fetched and unlikely? Yep, it does to me, too. However, many believe it is only a matter of time before such services might be available. We may know in a year.
At Sebring 2017, another long-awaited aircraft emerged... or re-emerged. After wandering for a few years since original Hawk developer Chuck Slusarczyk retired and sold his company, the once-popular design has a new home in central Florida.
I've written about this before (
Indeed, Terry beamed when he told me that he'd already sold six aircraft (recently; not all at the show), most of them the two-seat variety as shown in the nearby photos plus one Part 103 ultralight.
Because original designer Chuck Slusarczyk won FAA acceptance for an ASTM-compliant model, Terry can supply a fully built Special Light-Sport Aircraft version and at Sebring 2017 he told me that he fully intends to do so. Because any new manufacturer, even of an existing brand, can be required to go through an FAA audit, a SLSA Hawk may not be an immediate development. (The agency can also elect to review documents and not do an on-site inspection, at their discretion. For a slower speed, lighter weight aircraft with many hundreds flying, FAA may choose not to make a manufacturing site visit.)
Amid the displays at Sebring's 13th annual Expo, many attendees took a look at this new model and came away with a smile. Several times as I passed Terry's display at Sebring, people seemed to be examining his handsome entry with interest.
New Hawk proprietor Terry acquired the venerable Hawk line from previous owner Danny Dezauche who bought the company from Chuck. Danny kept the brand alive but did not progress too far with it.
All told, CGS Hawks number close to 2,000 units flying. Many owners to whom I've spoke truly love this simple but well-flying aircraft.
CGS originally stood for Chuck's Glider Supplies. Chuck was an early leader in hang gliding and made thousands of them. As "motorized" hang gliders arrived on the scene back in the late '70s and early '80s, Chuck made the jump. In fact, he formerly sold "power packs" to others who wanted to power their hang gliders.
One thing lead to another and Chuck developed his company into a airplane manufacturer, leaving behind his youthful days as a hang glider pilot and entrepreneur.
After decades of operation, Chuck sold his company to enjoy a well-deserved retirement and Alabama businessman Danny Dezauche kept it going for a few years.
A year ago, in January 2016, Dezauche sold CGS Hawk to Terry Short based in Lake Wales, Florida. After retiring from the Polk County School Board, Terry and his son Chris will operate the enterprise in central Florida. They will support the many hundreds of Hawks still flying with parts and services in addition to build several of the models including the Special LSA Model called Hawk II, a tandem two seater.
Catch Terry and the Hawk at 
Are Light-Sport Aircraft too expensive? With yellow taildraggers from some companies exceeding $200,000, it certainly sounds so. Gorgeous and modern carbon fiber LSA run $125,000 to $180,000. So, yeah, if your budget is leaner or if you merely want to keep the price tag down for a recreational aircraft, it's tougher than imagined before the SP/LSA regulation was announced in 2004.
At the 2016 edition of the 
