Snowbirds like Arizona in the winter and for good reason. Beautiful skies, pleasantly warm temperatures, and lots of smiling faces. Phoenix and neighboring city, Mesa (just a bit east) are also havens for aviation. Falcon Field is home to a huge variety of aircraft and proved friendly to Light-Sport Aircraft as no less than 18 of them arrived for EAA’s last-of-2005 Sport Pilot Tour event. Thirteen manufacturers showed their models to more than 500 registered visitors (plus quite a few more that didn’t register) on the ramp of the excellent Commemorative Air Force (CAF) facility at Falcon Field. Great EAA volunteers helped pull it off along with a very welcoming CAF organization. Now, EAA is deep into planning for eight more events in the next year, starting in April and running through next February. If one gets within a few hours drive of your home, you’ll find it worthwhile to attend.

Dan Johnson Celebrates Career Milestone, Retires Two Columns – Announces New Focus ST. PAUL, MINN. – Light recreational aircraft expert Dan Johnson celebrated 30 years of writing flight reports with the publication of his February 2006 articles. Johnson, a leading reviewer of ultralights and light-sport aircraft, has flown and evaluated more than 300 different models of aircraft and written more than 600 flight reports. He has logged more than 5,000 flight hours and holds a commercial certificate with instrument, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings. Johnson began his writing career 30 years ago, publishing his first article in the premier February 1976 issue of Glider Rider, now known as Ultralight Flying! From 1978 to 1986, he was publisher of Whole Air magazine, a publication he sold to Western Flyer, now published as General Aviation News, in 1986. In subsequent years, Johnson returned to producing monthly flight reports for Ultralight Flying! and began contributing regularly to EAA Experimenter, EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft, Kitplanes, General Aviation News, and Hang Gliding & Paragliding as well as two international magazines, Volare and Fly & Glide.

Air Creation’s magnificent Tanarg 912 and their popular GTE 912 were presented with the first two weight shift control Special Light-Sport Aircraft certificates on January 20th in Arizona at Kemmeries Aviation flight center where Air Creation USA is based. Not only are these the first two certificates ever issued for weight shift control LSA, the Tanarg 912 and GTE 912 were approved with the iXess, iXess Training, KISS 450, and FUN 450 wings. None of the 24 airplane SLSA holders can make that claim of versatility. (If you don’t know this quality of trikes…the chassis or carriage can be flown with a variety of factory-approved wings.) Air Creation has delivered more trike aircraft than any other builder. This French company is 20% owned by American John Kemmeries, an icon and leader of weight shift aircraft in the United States.

I find it ironic that our first new SLSA certification of 2006 is one of the oldest. Welcome to the Taylorcraft Sport as Number 24 in our parade of newly FAA-approved Special Light-Sport Aircraft. A bright red Taylorcraft Sport showed at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo last week after winning its approval on January 9th. The taildragger Sport comes with a Continental O-200 100 horsepower engine and without flaps for $69,995, a fairly modest price in this time of Light-Sport Aircraft hitting six figures. Taylorcraft has a rich historical background, starting in 1935 and including a run of thousands of aircraft built. In mid-1946 the company was producing 30 new aircraft a day!…so many that, even today, the majority of Taylorcrafts flying are from that year. Now, buyers can obtain a brand new Sport from the revived company.

The second running of Sebring is a success by any measure. Days one and two enjoyed warm weather with good conditions for a large number of demo fllights. One fascinating development was the arrival of some top Cessna officials who evidently came to check out the LSA scene although their presence was relatively low key (however, it’s hard to hide a bizjet on the ramp among a flock of LSA). No one was saying what might transpire. Sport Aircraft of all varieties were present including most fixed wings and several trikes and powered parachutes. Sebring visitors also saw the arrival of the first flying version of the Advanced Aero Inverted V design. According to lead engineer Chris Gagliano, “Our single seat prototype has already completed six hours of flight time after its first flight on December 30, 2005.” Chris, his father, and their team are at work on the two seater and their work has progressed logically through computer models and physical models.

As we prepare for a new year of Light-Sport Aircraft, companies are ramping up production to assure greater supplies of aircraft. Leading companies have each claimed 2005 deliveries of 20-40 aircraft but are forecasting double to triple that number for 2006. Aircraft such as the Jabiru and Allegro — plus others yet to formally announce their plans — bring component parts to the USA for final assembly complementing U.S. production by companies such as IndUS Aviation (see photo), Legend (building a new plant), and RANS. The new year should be an exciting one, indeed. As the year closes, I’d like to add my voice to those thanking LAMA founder and president, Larry Burke, for his decades of work to nuture the industry organization. He is stepping back — becoming Chairman Emeritus — while myself and Tom Gunnarson take over the reins. THANKS, Larry…for a job very well done!

An old friend just brought home an airplane I’ve long admired. Bob Chase of California’s Perris Valley airport is the proud new owner of Soaring Gull 2000 No. 1 from Earthstar Aircraft designer Mark Beierle. Though its wingspan is only 28 feet (think: easy storage), Soaring Gull 2000 manages a 16:1 glide that will assure you can stay aloft on most days with decent thermal or ridge lift. The Gull 2000 single seater fuselage is fitted with a wing two bays (~ 2 ft.) longer than Earthstar’s two seat Odyssey. Because the airplane is small and efficient, the 133 square foot wing has plenty of area; she is said to soar quite well. My favorite old Cloud Dancer had 16:1 performance (on 40-ft. wings of the same area); I managed two hours engine off for every powered hour. I loved soaring it and I look forward to accepting Bob’s offer to fly his.

The fourth of six Sport Pilot Tour “test” events proved the idea has great appeal as a means to reveal all the new Light-Sport Aircraft and to educate those who attend about FAA’s newest rule. The Dallas, Texas Sport Pilot Tour concluded with 11 models represented. Crowds were the strongest yet with 750 people attending; these are intended as focused, small-venue marketing efforts that only show LSA and offer expert forums on the topic. EAA is solidly behind the events using their national clout plus local EAA chapters in nearly every corner of the country. Many demo flights were taken, even expanding into Sunday following the Saturday event. All Sport Pilot Tours are free to visitors. The next one, scheduled for December 3rd in Camarillo, California (near Ventura) promises to be the biggest yet. “Join us,” says EAA and many aircraft exhibitors. “C’mon out and see the newest airplanes!”

As mentioned in the SPLOG from Friday Oct. 21st, I have some big news in the world of recreational flying…literally big in the sense of involving the biggest “ultralight” of them all, the AirCam twin. This delightful flying machine, first created by Phil Lockwood and crew, has been languishing under the leadership of investor Antonio Leza who became full owner of the design a few years ago. That’s all about to change when Antonio and Shawn Okun, the ambitious head of Sebring-based Floatplanes & Amphibs, make a detailed announcement at the LAMA/LSA Marketing Group “hospitality tent” during AOPA’s Expo in Tampa November 3-4-5. They will announce that a group assembled by Okun has signed an agreement to take over ownership of Leza AirCam and its building and land lease on the Sebring, Florida airport. Come hear the details at the Peter O.

Sebring’s U.S. Sport Aviation Expo has been postponed due to complications related to Hurricane Wilma. The Expo has rescheduled for January 12-15, 2006. Despite the weather situation, another significant Sebring airport news announcement is imminent. SPLOG will have more on this story soon. Sebring is home to the Expo, to Lockwood Aviation’s successful enterprise, and to the new CubAir Academy. It’s also home to Floatplanes & Amphibs (FP&A), the outfit that burst on the scene a couple years ago and has rapidly gathered momentum. FP&A has already taken over the Ukrainian Aeroprakt distributorship (Spectrum Aircraft’s John Hunter now works with FP&A) and the company represents Quicksilver, AirBorne trikes, Powrachute PPCs, and the Drifter which they’ve played a role in redesigning. But what’s coming is much bigger and this exciting news will be announced as soon as a new venue can be selected.

Atec Zephyr is a modern-looking LSA that wraps a slick carbon fiber shell over multilaminate wood bulkheads. Zephyr’s shapely compound leading and trailing edge wing uses a wood spar, composite leading edge, and fabric aft covering. The T-tail is composite over wood. A backwards-opening bubble canopy tops off a roomy cockpit. This aircraft is available through the LetsFly.org group of over 100 cooperatives. The Zephyr, Faeta, R-80, C-42, Thorpedo, and several other aircraft are available in a partner-like program that is well established and proven. Cooperatives operate somewhat like clubs in allowing a share purchase for modest cost. They are operated by a local manager who earns a percentage of airplane sales and accessories. LetsFly.org boasts a broad line of new and pre-owned airplanes available. If the price of LSA puts them out of your reach, LetsFly.org might have a solution.

Another design has made its way to American shores and will be available for examination at the 2005 Sebring Expo (see the event link to the left of your screen). LSA Aero, an importer based in Tanner, Alabama, is introducing the Spanish designs of Colyaer. The design has three family members, a land plane — the Martin 3; plus two seaplanes, one boat hull and one amphibian — the Gannet and the Freedom. All feature wingspans over 40 feet which provide a strong 20+ glide ratio. They also offer exceptional visibility with a high wing aft of the cockpit.

At the successful Georgia Sport Light Expo in Calhoun (north of Atlanta), Ferguson Aircraft showed their new tricycle gear FX-4-1. The two Ferguson aircraft resemble some Kolb models, but with a nosewheel they certainly set themselves apart. This Amateur-Built 51% kit is known for techniques like their strong “X” control surface hinges. Prices start at only $8,475 for the airframe kit. Sport Light Expo also featured appearances by the Zenith CH-601, SportAir USA StingSport, Belle Aire Festival, RANS S-6 by local rep’ SportAir Inc., Sportsplanes Breezer, Jabiru J-250, Just Aircraft Escapade, a one-off tricycle-gear Hummelbird and more. Calhoun is also home to the Paris Jet which made several performances. (I took a flight in the latter…Hoo-Yah!)

After a short lull in new approvals, the first to announce winning FAA’s blessing following AirVenture Oshkosh 2005 is AveoUSA’s SportRider. Designed by Jaro Dostal, the same man who created the comfortable SkyBoy, SportRider is built by Gryf Air of the Czech Republic and handled by FlyItalia. Sport Rider is sold in America by Texas-based AveoUSA. Once folks returned home from EAA’s big show this year, I got several emails from pilots asking about this handsome aircraft with its flowing lines and 46-inch-wide cockpit. You can see my early report in the August 2005 Kitplanes magazine and I hope to do a pilot report this fall, perhaps on one of the EAA Sport Pilot Tours where you can also go for a demo flight.

Twenty years ago, RANS first introduced their S-7 Courier (named after one of designer, Randy Schlitter’s favorite airplanes, the STOL Helio Courier). The S-7C is one of only two aircraft to qualify for FAA’s Primary Category certification and now it is nearing approval as a Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA). While you can still buy any RANS model as a kit, the company says, “For $75,000 you will be able to purchase a fully equipped S-7S, with such amenities as Garmin moving map GPS/COM, and Transponder.” RANS is included in my report on popular American producers and their plans for Light-Sport Aircraft in the January 2006 issue of Kitplanes magazine.

One aircraft I’d waited anxiously to fly is the Sinus from Pipistrel in Slovenia. Forget the weird-sounding name (they say to pronounce it “seen-us”) because this is one impressive flying machine. I first saw it in France four years ago and my pilot report will appear in the October 2005 issue of Ultralight FLYING!. You’ll want to read that article for lots more info but the operative performance parameter is a 28-to-1 glide! I had the good fortune to fly a tricycle-gear Sinus for 45 minutes with the engine off, as it’s designed to do. Wonderful! For more info on Sinus and their other oddly named Virus aircraft, click here.

For years, many pilots have admired the Thunder Gull line of light aircraft from Earthstar Aircraft. However, obtaining one in a short time has been difficult because Earthstar remains a small company focused on groundbreaking developments by talented owner/designer, Mark Beierle. Avicom in Israel recently announced a venture to fully manufacture the Light-Sport Aircraft models Mark has elected to pursue. I know the fellows in Israel and this looks to be an excellent joining of aviation talents and enthusiasm. It should introduce more Earthstar aircraft to aviators in the U.S. and around the world.

Last year the Sebring (FL) Airport broke new ground with their U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at the end of October. Expo is on again for 2005 and will have the largest collection of Light-Sport Aircraft anywhere. Organizer Bob Wood reports, “I expect over 130 aircraft on display.” By any measure, that deserves a “Wow!” Sebring was also named GA Airport of the Year and just signed a deal to be the home of the new Cub Air Academy. The latter is a well-funded effort to introduce more folks to flying LSA in a structured environment. I highly recommend the “Sebring Expo.” If you can come, look me up…

Don Cooney’s Prowler is one clean machine with a number of cleverly designed components that set this uncommon American trike apart from the rest, even Europe’s highly engineered brands. The small double-surfaced wing resembles Britain’s Chaser but has been subtly modified to improve the shape. The trike carriage has a elegantly simple rear structure and engine mount supporting a Rotax 447. Prowler’s nosewheel uses a single sturdy strut and hydraulic brake. A simple instrument panel has the right (few) gauges and a holder for a radio. On whole, the Part 103-legal Prowler is one of the most smartly designed trikes in the fleet. Sitting low and comfortable, I can’t wait to fly it. Watch for my article in the December 2005 Kitplanes magazine.

It was just too cool for a space buff like me…that is, me and hundreds of thousands more at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. I know this isn’t Sport Pilot or Light-Sport Aircraft stuff but I feel SpaceShipOne represents one of the great accomplishments of our age and I can’t resist showing you what it looked like on arrival for its one-and-only-EVER appearance in public. Folks who go to Oshkosh can see the enormous machine up close. Then, they can walk 100 yards south to the first-ever LSA Mall which features 35 light sport planes of every description. The area has proved a home-run hit and is drawing big crowds. This is a great year to visit Oshkosh; it runs through Sunday the 31st. If you come to the LSA Mall, look me up…