If you’ll pardon a little fun in my title, I’m pleased to offer a report from Chairman Bob Woods on the seventh running of the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, abbreviated by many to simply Sebring LSA Expo. *** The total number of exhibitors was 147, a small decline from last year. Aircraft on display numbered approximately 135, about the same as 2010 and including some new or returning exhibitors such as Kitfox, Pipistrel, and Diamond. The Popular Rotorcraft Association had a presence this year with a promise to increase their footprint in 2012. *** Attendance was about 11,000, the same as last year (and I observe this count is larger than many other so-called “major” airshows —DJ). “Attendees were down slightly from 2009 due to extensive wintry weather up north, but Thursday was the best opening day we’ve ever had,” noted Bob. Saturday’s crowd was good, partly as Sebring offered reduced prices for Veterans.

Most Yankee pilots couldn’t care less about an arcane government agreement. But if you like the looks of the Corvus Mk 3, the Bilateral Aviation Agreement (BAA) becomes important. The stunning Corvus, which I first saw at Aero 2005, is built in Hungary meaning Corvus USA requires the BAA before offering it as a SLSA. That’s precisely why Jesse Martin, proprietor of Corvus USA, attended a conference with the catchy name, “2006 US/Europe International Aviation Safety Conference.” At this event, Jesse heard that the BAA is being negotiated between FAA and EASA, Europe’s EU-wide aviation agency. He reported, “This agreement [will] incorporate member countries of the European Union…to create a single agreement for all 25 EU members,” including Hungary. He added, “The best guess for ratification of this agreement is mid-year 2007.” *** Why should this interest you? Besides the handsome Corvus, other intriguing designs might also be available to U.S.

Kent Misegades writes, “For the past several years my colleagues and I have been waging a campaign to ban the use of ethanol in premium gasoline, thus preserving a safe, affordable, unleaded fuel for sport aviation as well as the millions of Americans who need “E0″ for their boats, snowmobiles, power tools, classic cars & bikes, among others.” Kent continues, “Thanks to vintage BMW owner Sam Hokin, his Pure-Gas.org list helps us find the fuel. We recently posted a petition that will be sent to the EPA administrator, Ms. Lisa Jackson, urging action on the issue. *** “The petition has been getting widespread attention among sport aviators, who have left comments such as these:” • (#2,390) The industry of Light-Sport Aircraft has been severely impacted by ethanol fuel. It dissolves our gas tanks, fuel lines, and gaskets causing in-flight engine failures, aircraft mishaps, and even death. We desperately need a local source of ethanol free gasoline.

No, this article is not about an established flight school operation. Nor is it about a university training program, or some government flight training facility. I’m simply impressed that Charles Stites and his Able Flight nonprofit organization have brought so many new pilots into the fold. For this alone, he deserves applause. Add that he exclusively helps persons with disabilities and you have something noteworthy. *** Here’s a contrast… At the AOPA Summit to begin this week, a group of leaders will meet to discuss ways to reverse the depressing 70% drop-out rate of flight school students. On the other side of the compass, “Able Flight achieves a very impressive completion rate of at least 72% for recipients of its full scholarships,” revealed Stites, who founded the organization in 2006. Able Flight didn’t set up shop to be a major flight school. Yet hear this: “We’ve awarded a total of 30 scholarships as of September, 2011, and 24 are full scholarships that can lead to a license.

David Kruger is what you might call a data-intensive fellow. A technical background gives him a keener than usual understanding of the value of research. Also an enthusiast of flying LSA, David has invested considerable study into the influence of airplane cost on the pilot population. His analysis suggests partner ownership of an airplane offers a means to confront the problem. At the Midwest LSA Expo I chatted at length with David and his wife/partner, Jaquidon. *** David’s work is revealed in his white papers on the subject. The reports are well considered and researched; AOPA and EAA have recognized the value of his work. If you share the concern about the decrease in pilots, you should read his report on the cost of airplanes and another on reaching the immense population of so-called powersports enthusiasts. Many believe that if aviation is to grow we must look outside our own tightly-knit club.